Walter is a strict character in this play. He is a high-ranked judge
that comes to every village to evaluate their court system and make sure
everything is in proper regulation of the district. In this play, he tries to
correct and advise Judge Adam constantly. He even asserts his authority and
voice during Judge Adam’s trial, telling the litigants to quiet down or to
speak. Why does it matter that he’s a strict, intelligent character so dedicated
to the laws? The reason is because he makes the play more funny. He’s a
support character to further the comic.
According to Henri
Bergson, “society will therefore be suspicious of all INELASTICITY of
character…. This rigidity is the comic, and laughter is corrective (pg.8b-9a).”
On pg. 98, Judge Walter yells out, “You heard me! Damnation! Silence! No one
will touch a hair of his head till then!” In this scene, he is trying to keep
order in the court as everyone realizes that Judge Adam is the culprit. Even
though Judge Walter tries to stop everyone, chaos ensues as Ruprecht tries to
beat him down, Eve egging Ruprecht on, and everyone else lunging at him. His
rigid strictness of abiding by the rules is coupled with the crazy actions of
the other characters whom he can’t control, which makes us laugh in response.
However, his
intelligence is what really tickles us. He makes witty insulting remarks to
Judge Adam, like, “Your head, Judge Adam, is like a lump of dough in which
knowledge and error are impossibly kneaded together (pg.79).” Another would be,
“If you had a wife, I’d imagine all sorts of things (pg.87).” We laugh because
it’s ironic how even though what he says is rude, he is also true in what he
says.
Alone, Judge
Walter would not be funny because he’s seen as the serious authoritative
figure. However, he’s put into situations with other characters to make the scene
funny. In all the examples I’ve given, he interacted with the other characters
to produce some form of comic relief. His serious, intelligent, honorable
character is contrasted heavily with the other characters who act more silly
and impulsive, especially Judge Adam. Thus, Judge Walter is a support character
that furthers the comic as he is paired with other characters.
I totally agree with your post! Walter's strict, law abiding manners are totally opposite with Adam's ridicules. They are also a contrast of each other. Adam portrays the corrupted system while Walter reflects how the judiciary system should be like. Walter is indeed a very important 'hero' in the play.
ReplyDeleteToo true, Alice. You have done an admirable job of pulling from Bergeson and applying it here. Every comedy needs a good straight man.
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