"Millennium Approaches" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In Tony Kushner's play "Millennium Approaches," the characters play various roles that contribute to the overall narrative and themes of the story. The protagonist, Prior Walter, serves as the central figure around whom the plot revolves. Other key characters include Louis Ironson, Prior's boyfriend; Joe Pitt, a Mormon lawyer; Harper Pitt, Joe's wife; Roy Cohn, a power-hungry lawyer; Belize, a nurse and friend of Prior; Hannah Pitt, Joe's conservative mother; The Angel, a divine messenger; and Ethel Rosenberg, a ghost and metaphor.

Character Descriptions

Prior Walter

Prior Walter is a gay man in his thirties who is diagnosed with AIDS. He is an intelligent and sensitive individual who experiences vivid hallucinations and dreams. Prior is determined to confront his illness with dignity and refuses to be defined solely by his diagnosis.

Louis Ironson

Louis Ironson is Prior's boyfriend and a deeply conflicted character. He struggles with guilt and fear about Prior's illness, leading him to abandon Prior during his time of need. Louis is an intellectual who often overanalyzes situations and is torn between his personal desires and his commitment to Prior.

Joe Pitt

Joe Pitt is a Mormon lawyer who struggles with his sexual identity and his marriage to Harper. He is portrayed as a conservative and ambitious individual who grapples with his inner demons. Joe's journey involves coming to terms with his sexuality and facing the consequences of his choices.

Harper Pitt

Harper Pitt is Joe's wife, who struggles with anxiety and a deteriorating marriage. She often escapes into a world of hallucinations and dreams as a means of coping with her loneliness and dissatisfaction. Harper longs for connection and ultimately seeks solace outside her marriage.

Roy Cohn

Roy Cohn is a power-hungry lawyer and a mentor figure to Joe. He is portrayed as a ruthless and unscrupulous individual who denies his homosexuality and is unapologetic about his unethical behavior. Roy's character represents the corruption and hypocrisy of the political and legal systems.

Belize

Belize is a nurse and close friend of Prior. He provides emotional support and acts as a voice of reason throughout the play. Belize is a compassionate and witty character who often serves as a mediator between conflicting parties.

Hannah Pitt

Hannah Pitt is Joe's conservative and religious mother who travels to New York to visit her son. She is initially judgmental and resistant to change but undergoes personal growth and transformation as she confronts her own biases and learns to accept her son for who he is.

The Angel

The Angel is a divine messenger who appears to Prior in his hallucinations. She represents various ideas and themes, including spirituality, change, and the impending apocalypse. The Angel serves as a catalyst for Prior's personal journey and challenges him to embrace his destiny.

Ethel Rosenberg

Ethel Rosenberg is a ghost and metaphorical character who appears to Roy Cohn. She represents the consequences of Cohn's unethical actions and serves as a reminder of the past. Ethel's character symbolizes justice and the weight of one's actions.

Character Traits

Prior Walter:

• Brave
• Intelligent
• Sensitive
• Determined
• Dignified

Louis Ironson:

• Conflicted
• Guilty
• Fearful
• Intellectual
• Selfish

Joe Pitt:

• Conservative
• Ambitious
• Confused
• Repressed
• Self-reflective

Harper Pitt:

• Anxious
• Lonely
• Imaginative
• Seeking connection
• Independent

Roy Cohn:

• Ruthless
• Unapologetic
• Unethical
• Denying homosexuality
• Manipulative

Belize:

• Compassionate
• Witty
• Supportive
• Voice of reason
• Mediator

Hannah Pitt:

• Conservative
• Judgmental
• Resistant to change
• Transformation
• Accepting

The Angel:

• Divine
• Mysterious
• Challenging
• Catalyst for change
• Apocalyptic symbolism

Ethel Rosenberg:

• Ghostly
• Metaphorical
• Symbolic of justice
• Reminder of consequences
• Weight of actions

Character Background

Prior Walter:

Prior Walter is a native of Louisiana who moved to New York City to pursue a career as a historical researcher. He has a loving relationship with Louis but faces the challenge of his AIDS diagnosis, which tests his strength and resilience.

Louis Ironson:

Louis Ironson is a Jewish intellectual from a privileged background. He works as a word processor for a federal judge and struggles with guilt and fear when confronted with Prior's illness.

Joe Pitt:

Joe Pitt is a devout Mormon from Salt Lake City who moved to New York with his wife, Harper. He works as a lawyer for a prominent law firm but is torn between his religious beliefs and his repressed sexuality.

Harper Pitt:

Harper Pitt is originally from Utah and suffers from anxiety and depression. She feels isolated in her marriage to Joe and uses Valium to cope with her struggles.

Roy Cohn:

Roy Cohn is a real-life figure who was a prominent lawyer and power broker in New York City. He is known for his involvement in McCarthyism and his unethical practices. Cohn's character is portrayed as a closeted gay man who denies his homosexuality.

Belize:

Belize is an African-American nurse and former drag queen who now works at the hospital where Prior is receiving treatment. He is Prior's closest friend and provides emotional support during his illness.

Hannah Pitt:

Hannah Pitt is a devout Mormon and conservative woman from Salt Lake City. She is initially judgmental and resistant to change but undergoes personal growth as she confronts her own biases.

The Angel:

The Angel appears to Prior in various forms and represents a divine force. She challenges Prior to accept his destiny as a prophet and plays a pivotal role in his journey.

Ethel Rosenberg:

Ethel Rosenberg was a real-life figure who, along with her husband, was executed for espionage during the McCarthy era. In the play, she appears as a ghostly figure representing justice and the consequences of one's actions.

Character Arcs

Prior Walter:

Prior's character arc involves his journey from fear and despair to acceptance and empowerment. He initially struggles with his diagnosis and the abandonment of Louis but ultimately embraces his role as a prophet and confronts his illness with dignity.

Louis Ironson:

Louis's character arc revolves around his guilt and fear of confronting Prior's illness. He starts as a selfish and conflicted individual but learns to confront his own shortcomings and seeks forgiveness.

Joe Pitt:

Joe's character arc centers on his struggle with his sexuality and his marriage to Harper. He starts as a repressed and conservative individual but eventually faces the consequences of his actions and begins to question his beliefs.

Harper Pitt:

Harper's character arc involves her journey from loneliness and escapism to self-discovery and independence. She initially seeks refuge in her hallucinations but ultimately confronts her own desires and finds her own path.

Roy Cohn:

Roy's character arc showcases his decline and the consequences of his unethical actions. He starts as a powerful and manipulative figure but faces the reality of his mortality and the impact of his choices.

Belize:

Belize's character arc revolves around his unwavering support for Prior and his role as a mediator between conflicting parties. He remains a loyal friend and provides a voice of reason throughout the play.

Hannah Pitt:

Hannah's character arc involves her transformation from a judgmental and resistant individual to a more accepting and understanding person. She confronts her own prejudices and learns to embrace her son for who he is.

The Angel:

The Angel's character arc is primarily focused on challenging Prior and pushing him to accept his destiny. She serves as a catalyst for his personal growth and transformation.

Ethel Rosenberg:

Ethel's character arc symbolizes justice and the weight of one's actions. As a ghostly figure, she represents the consequences of Roy Cohn's unethical behavior and serves as a reminder of the past.

Relationships

The relationships between the characters in "Millennium Approaches" are complex and interwoven, highlighting the themes of love, betrayal, and personal growth. Some notable relationships include:

• Prior and Louis: Their relationship is tested when Louis abandons Prior after his diagnosis, leading to a rupture in their bond. They struggle to reconcile their love for each other with their own personal fears and desires.
• Joe and Harper: Their marriage is strained due to Joe's repressed homosexuality and Harper's loneliness and dissatisfaction. They both seek solace outside their marriage, leading to further tension and conflict.
• Prior and Belize: Belize serves as a loyal friend and caregiver to Prior throughout his illness. Their relationship is characterized by support, humor, and a deep understanding of each other's struggles.
• Roy and Joe: Roy becomes a mentor and father figure to Joe, manipulating him into making unethical choices. Their relationship showcases the power dynamics and corruption within the legal and political systems.
• Hannah and Joe: Hannah's visit to New York to see Joe exposes the strained relationship between a conservative mother and her gay son. Through their interactions, they confront their differences and challenge their own beliefs.
• Prior and The Angel: The Angel appears to Prior in his hallucinations and serves as a catalyst for his personal journey. Their relationship is defined by conflict, as the Angel challenges Prior to accept his destiny.

The relationships in "Millennium Approaches" explore the complexities of human connections and the challenges individuals face when confronted with personal and societal expectations.