Ethel Rosenberg Character Analysis in Angels in America

A real-life Soviet spy who in the 1950s was convicted for treason, along with her husband, Julius Rosenberg, and sentenced to death by electrocution. Ethel Rosenberg is often considered a symbol for the barbarism of America’s involvement in the Cold War: Ethel was killed for her espionage (and even this was never definitively proven) despite the fact that she was a mother of two children. In the play, it’s revealed that her death was ensured by Roy Cohn. As a result, Ethel’s ghost—perhaps just one of Cohn’s hallucinations—haunts Cohn during his final days of life. (It should also be note that Kushner specifies that this character is to be played by the same actor who plays Hannah Pitt.)

Ethel Rosenberg Quotes in Angels in America

The Angels in America quotes below are all either spoken by Ethel Rosenberg or refer to Ethel Rosenberg. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Yes. Yes. You have heard of Ethel Rosenberg. Yes. Maybe you even read about her in the history books. If it wasn't for me, Joe, Ethel Rosenberg would be alive today, writing some personal-advice column for Ms. magazine. She isn't. Because during the trial, Joe, I was on the phone every day, talking with the judge— Every day, doing what I do best, talking on the telephone, making sure that timid Yid nebbish on the bench did his duty to America, to history. That sweet unprepossessing woman, two kids, boo-hoo-hoo, reminded us all of our little Jewish mamas—she came this close to getting life; I pleaded till I wept to put her in the chair. Me. I did that. I would have fucking pulled the switch if they'd have let me. Why? Because I fucking hate traitors. Because I fucking hate communists. Was it legal? Fuck legal. Am I a nice man? Fuck nice. They say terrible things about me in the Nation. Fuck the Nation. You want to be Nice, or you want to be Effective? Make the law, or subject to it. Choose.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 113-114

Explanation and Analysis:

Ethel Rosenberg Character Timeline in Angels in America

The timeline below shows where the character Ethel Rosenberg appears in Angels in America. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...lawyer—even greater than making presidents or making a lot of money—was ensuring the execution of Ethel Rosenberg . If it wasn’t for his legal intervention, Cohn claims, Ethel Rosenberg would still be... (full context)

Cohn lies on the ground. Suddenly, a woman appears before Cohn—Cohn greets this woman as Ethel Rosenberg . (Joe can’t see her). Ethel says that Cohn looks sickly. She makes fun of... (full context)

...a “shitty little committee.” As Cohn claims that his records were “lost in a fire,” Ethel Rosenberg walks into the room. Cohn keeps arguing with the person on the other end of... (full context)

As Ethel Rosenberg sits in the room, Belize walks in, ordering Cohn to put down the phone so... (full context)

Cohn is now alone with Ethel Rosenberg . Ethel boasts that she’s going to watch Cohn’s disbarment hearing, which is coming up... (full context)

...stop him. Belize only says, “I’m the shadow on your grave.” At the same moment, Ethel Rosenberg appears onstage, standing beside Belize. (full context)

...walking through Brooklyn Heights, but everyone from the previous scene (Joe, Louis, Cohn, Belize, and Ethel Rosenberg ) is still onstage. The Mormon Mother points out the skyline of Manhattan, calling it... (full context)

As Cohn speaks, Ethel Rosenberg materializes in the hospital room, smiling faintly. Belize cannot see her. (full context)

In the hospital, Roy Cohn lies in bed, singing softly. Suddenly, he notices Ethel Rosenberg sitting beside him. Cohn boasts that he’s going to die soon—luckily, just before the disbarment... (full context)

Cohn suddenly speaks up. He whispers, “Ma?” and seems to think that Ethel Rosenberg is his mother. He begs her to sing to him, saying that he’s scared and... (full context)

Ethel Rosenberg calls Cohn’s name. He doesn’t answer. Then, suddenly, Cohn sits up and shouts, “I’m not... (full context)

...Louis to try to deliver a Kaddish. Louis delivers one, very hesitantly. As he falters, Ethel Rosenberg appears in the room, visible to Louis but not Belize. Ethel delivers the Kaddish, and... (full context)

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Ethel Rosenberg Character Analysis

Ethel Rosenberg Quotes in Angels in America

Ethel Rosenberg Character Timeline in Angels in America

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