The Complexities of Success and Failure in 'Cosi' Frances Bolling 11th Grade

Set in the 1970s, against a backdrop of social and cultural revolution in terms of the feminist and anti-Vietnam movements in Australia, Louis Nowra’s play ‘Cosi’, focuses on the lives of a few individuals. By exploring the situation and characters of specific mental patients in an institution in Melbourne who represent society’s idea of “failures”, Nowra encourages the audience to question their ideas regarding success and failure. The contrast between the patients and Nick, a “successful” and “normal” character draws attention to Nick’s failure as an individual due to his lack of empathy. Furthermore, raising the question of whether the patients’ production of ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ is a success allows Nowra to further explore the complexities of success and failure. Through these elements, Nowra seems to contend that valuing individuals with empathy and kindness constitutes true success, and recognition from society or societal change is not a true success unless it first achieves this.

While Roy tells Henry, “you’re a failure as a human being and as a lawyer”, Nowra suggests that the patients are not failures, as their current situations are due largely to the faults of others. Ruth’s situation, in which she is “in and out of...