eros in Cat on a hot tin roof

The “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” relates to the reading of Eros surrounding the issue of desire. Eros is means “desire” or “wanting” according to Anne Carson, who theorizes about the “bittersweet” that surrounds Eros. By bittersweet Carson is referring to the duality of love, that with love comes hate. There are times in which we love someone and times in which we hate them. More often “bittersweet” refers to wanting what you can’t have. Carson describes this in terms of Eros, where when he finally gets what he wants he leaves because he does not want it anymore. Also, using Sappho as an example, you desire someone because you can’t quite fully attain them. That is where the love hate juxtaposition comes into play.
Anne Carson’s theory can be seen within “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Maggie is unhappily married to Brick but is madly in love with him. Brick has a nonchalant attitude, and never shows emotion. This lack of fulfillment in the love department is what causes Maggie to long for the love of Brick, but she also hate him for not giving her enough attention. Brick does not sleep with her, and the play even implies that he had a relationship with his friend, Skipper. Brick is now an alcoholic with no feelings for Maggie, but both still put up with the unpleasantness of their marriage. Clearly, desire or longing for desire (for love or money) is a main theme reiterated throughout the play not just through Maggie and Brick but also Mae, Gooper, Mama, and Big Daddy.