Cosi Essay Dale Tilley - 1643 Words

How Successful Has Lois Nowra Been in Challenging the Significant Ideas of Love, Fidelity, Sanity and Insanity in Cosi? In the play Cosi Louis Nowra challenges the important themes of love, fidelity, sanity and insanity within a range of dramatic techniques. Cosi is set in Melbourne, during the early 1970’s. Numerous political and radical events were occurring. The Vietnam War protest was raging, the sexual revolution was rolling, and mental illness was still misunderstood and mistreated. Due to these contexts, love, fidelity, sanity and insanity are big issues that surface throughout the play. Nowra comments on society’s issues. Firstly, he uses dialogue to convey the characters various thoughts and feelings towards these issues.†¦show more content†¦Women had access to the new contraceptive pill and this made it easier for women to engage in sexual relations outside of marriage. This bought about a questioning of the need for marriage and fidelity. During the play it becomes apparent that Lucy (Louis’ girlfriend and roommate) and Nick (Louis’ best friend) are hav ing an affair. Nick and Lucy both share similar beliefs that the Vietnam War protest is more important than anything else. Nick and Lucy are the presented as representatives of the more modern attitudes towards love and fidelity. This is shown by Lucy and Nick being advocates of free love and seeing sex and love as two different things, this is evident when Nick says to Lewis â€Å"She’s sleeping with you, were having sex† (referring to the relationship between Nick and Lucy.) and â€Å"Lucy’s not possessive about you, I’m not possessive about her. What’s the fuss?† This shows how societies’ views of love and fidelity and what is acceptable are changing to a more laid back, free attitude. These quotes reflect the values and attitudes towards sex at the time, as women were now more freely engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage, and demonstrating ‘free love’. After Lewis’ learns of the affair between his be st friend and girlfriend, he comes to the realisation that â€Å"Woman’s consistency is like an Arabian Phoenix†, which in this context, means a woman’s fidelity is often talked about and