How is the character of Catherine used as a symbol of desire and love? How does Catherine’s newly adult status affects Eddie and Beatrice?

Love is not so much the theme in the play, as is desire. The play is fraught with tension because it is not directed in the proper channels. Eddie desires Catherine, his niece. Even though they are not related by blood he is her guardian and has raised her like a daughter. He ignores his own wife while he acts in an immoral and harmful fashion toward Catherine, at times raging, treating her like a baby, kissing her, mocking her, and forbidding her from marrying and moving out. He may also desire Rodolpho, his buried homosexuality manifesting itself when he kisses him. Here, his desire is cruel and spiteful, reflecting his discomfort with his latent thoughts. Overall, desire broods, simmers, and eventually explodes in violent ways.