The Rose Tattoo
234
Play • Fiction
Sicily, Louisiana • 1950s
1951
Adult
18+ years
In Act I of The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams, three small children discuss the weather outside a cottage on the Louisiana Gulf Coast as Serafina, a striking Sicilian woman, sets the table for her daughter, Rosa, and husband, Rosario, who is presumably smuggling drugs for the mafia. As night falls and Rosario hasn't returned, their neighbor Assunta visits. Later, the Strega's goat interrupts the conversation, and Estelle, a local card dealer in love with a wild man, commissions Serafina to make a shirt. Meanwhile, Father De Leo and mourners arrive to inform Serafina that her husband has died, causing her to collapse in despair and miscarry. Estelle's appearance at the wake incites conflict, leading to Serafina's further emotional breakdown and the revelation of Rosario’s disfigurement from a drug-related accident.
Melancholic
Emotional
Romantic
Mysterious
Bittersweet
2,540 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo is praised for its passionate characters and vivid, emotional storytelling. Critics commend its exploration of love and loss, highlighting Williams' signature lyrical dialogue. However, some find the plot overly melodramatic and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's celebrated for its rich atmosphere and dynamic performances.
The ideal reader for Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo cherishes deeply emotional narratives and complex characters, much like those in his play A Streetcar Named Desire. Fans of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and Eugene O'Neill’s Long Day's Journey Into Night will appreciate its exploration of human frailty and resilience.
2,540 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams premiered on Broadway in 1951, starring acclaimed actress Maureen Stapleton in the lead role as Serafina Delle Rose, a portrayal that launched her career.
Williams wrote The Rose Tattoo while staying in Key West, Florida, and he intended for the play to be a departure from the more somber tones of his previous works, aiming instead for a celebratory and comic spirit.
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The play won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1951, cementing Williams' reputation as one of America's leading playwrights during the mid-20th century.
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234
Play • Fiction
Sicily, Louisiana • 1950s
1951
Adult
18+ years
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