In this play, Miller presents the character of Eddie to be a sly and controlling. During the first act of the play, Eddie decides to teach Rodolpho how to box because “somebody’s liable to step on his foot”. This means that Rodolpho could end up in a fight with someone and should be able to protect himself. However, the message that Eddie could be attempting to convey is that Rodolpho should be careful with what he is doing with Catherine as Eddie could use his strength and masculinity against Rodolpho which could end up not being in his favour. Moreover, this displays the jealousy that Eddie possesses  as he is threatening Rodolpho and Catherines relationship by fighting Rodolpho. This highlights the sly and controlling behaviour of Eddie as he is trying to control and show that he is not scared by the relationship Rodolpho has with Catherine and that it will not last as long as Eddie is their. The audience’s reaction could be shock as they would have not expected this sort of behaviour from a respectable man such as Eddie therefore they would be disgusted or appalled by Eddie. Additionally, after Eddie and Rodolpho are finished boxing Eddie is seen rubbing the “back of his hand across his mouth”. This could symbolise the fact that if Rodolpho says anything against Eddie that he will retaliate aggressively. Also, since Rodolpho had previously punched Eddie he could be signalling the fact he won’t get another chance again to hurt Eddie again.

In this play, the audience learns about Eddies extent of dominance. While boxing with Rodolpho, Eddie is seen to be “directly upstage” of Rodolpho. To be upstage of someone means that they are in front of them, therefore the fact that Eddie is “directly” in front of Rodolpho displays his confidence and masculinity compared to Rodolpho. This shows how Eddie is trying to display a dominant persona by gesturing to Rodolpho that he is not scared of what Rodolpho might do, also it is informing both the audience and Rodolpho that he is still the head of the house no matter what happens. The audience’s reaction to this could be suspense as they are not sure what Eddie might do next. In addition, when boxing Eddie assured Rodolpho that he “can’t hurt” him. This ‘assurance’ from Eddie was a sign of mockery as he is highlighting the fact that Rodolpho isn’t as strong and as masculine as Eddie and that his femininity will be his weakness when next to Eddie. Moreover, this can also be seen as a message to Rodolpho saying that no matter what relationship you have with Catherine, Eddie will use his dominant personality to break it. The reaction from the audience could be despise for Eddie as he is downgrading Rodolpho’s status and diminishing it to nothing. 

Throughout the extract, Miller reveals Eddie as arrogant and manipulative in the form of his actions. Within the first act of the play, Eddie successfully persuades everyone that they are only messing around by allowing Rodolpho to hit him a few times and then reassures him that he 'can't hurt' him. The other characters interpret it as though Eddie is trying to urge Rodolpho to practice boxing. In reality, Eddie is covertly questioning Rodolpho's sexuality and strength. His intentions was to anger Rodolpho into striking him so he can justify his following hits as fooling around. Miller intended to expose Eddie's devious side which induced a sense of anxiety in the audience of what's to come. After the dispute, Eddie 'rubs his fists together' promising to 'teach him again.' This is another example of how Eddie hides his true intentions which in this case was harming Rodolpho. Moreover, he displays the extent at which he will go just to keep Catherine to himself. He is willing to physically harm someone and even threaten them after. This alarms the audience as they are surprised at how his obsession has changed him.

Miller displays Eddie as untrustworthy and deceitful through his behavior. Catherine sees the fight when she walks in, and immediately questions what Eddie's intentions are. This reveals Eddie as dishonest because his own daughter doesn't trust him and even his wife during the early stages of the boxing. Millers intentions was to show Eddie's true nature in a hidden manner. By doing so, the audience has become wary of Eddie's actions and their underlying meaning. Even after purposefully hitting Rodolpho he still pretends to be apologetic by asking if he had 'hurt him.' In actuality Eddie is yet again questioning Rodolpho's sexuality. Moreover, he said it in a mocking manner implying that he wasn't trying and proving to Catherine that Rodolpho was fragile, weak and she deserved better. Especially during the 1950s men were expected to be strong and Eddie hoped Catherine would become uninterested in Rodolpho. Miller intended to show how important dominance and masculinity was to Eddie. This should intensify the audience's hatred towards Eddie.