Summary
Doctor Roberto Miranda is one of the three main characters in the play "Death and the Maiden" by Ariel Dorfman. He is a respected physician who lives in a country that has recently transitioned from a dictatorship to a democracy. He is married and has two children. He is also a former torturer who raped and tortured Paulina Salas, the protagonist of the play, when she was a political prisoner during the dictatorship. He is kidnapped by Paulina and her husband Gerardo, who is a lawyer and a member of the commission investigating human rights violations. He is accused of being the doctor who played Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" quartet while abusing Paulina. He denies his involvement and tries to escape, but he is eventually forced to confess and beg for forgiveness under the threat of being killed by Paulina. He represents the legacy of violence and impunity that haunts the victims and the perpetrators of the dictatorship.
Quotes
Quote 1:
"I'm a human being, Paulina, a human being."
(Act III, Scene 1)
The quote reveals Roberto's attempt to appeal to Paulina's sense of humanity and mercy, as well as his denial of his own monstrous actions. The repetition of the phrase "a human being" emphasizes Roberto's desperation and fear, as he tries to convince Paulina and himself that he is not a beast or a demon, but a person with feelings and rights. The quote also contrasts with Paulina's view of Roberto, who she sees as a symbol of the brutal dictatorship that destroyed her life and the lives of many others. The quote shows the clash of perspectives and values between the two characters, as well as the power dynamics that have shifted from the past to the present.
Quote 2:
"You have to help me, Gerardo, you have to help me, she’s crazy"
(Act 1, Scene 4)
The quote "You have to help me, Gerardo, you have to help me, she’s crazy" (Act 1, Scene 4) is spoken by Roberto, a former torturer who is kidnapped by Paulina, one of his victims. This quote reveals Roberto's desperation, fear and manipulation. He uses repetition to emphasize his urgency and to appeal to Gerardo's sympathy. He also uses a comma to create a pause before he accuses Paulina of being crazy, which suggests that he is trying to create doubt and distrust in Gerardo's mind. He also uses the personal pronoun "she" to distance himself from Paulina and to dehumanize her. By doing so, he attempts to portray himself as a victim and Paulina as a villain, hoping to persuade Gerardo to help him escape.
