Pozzo

Pozzo can be diagnosed as having Dementia.

Pozzo has recent memory loss and does not remember meeting two people he came across the day prior.  Upon being reminded that he had come across the same people he met the day before, Pozzo replies, “I don’t remember having met anyhone yesterday.  But tomorrow I won’t remember having met anyone today.”  He is unable to account for time and actually curses time because he cannot feel its passage. 

Pozzo has no idea how he came to the place in the road and asks if he is at the “Board.”  He is unable to locate himself and has little idea of where he has been or where he is going. This inability cannot be accounted for in a logical sense.

He also has quick, violent mood swings.  First, he asks for help, in what could be construed as a supplication, and then is quickly angered by the individuals that help him.  He is described as becoming “suddenly furious” without real provocation.

He has difficulty performing simple task, such as getting to his feet after falling down and then difficulty standing after he has been helped to his feet.  His poor motor coordination was not present at first and seems to have occurred overnight.

These symptoms should not occur as quickly as seen in Pozzo’s case, but should be seen as a more gradual process.  However, given that the case occurs in a play rather than in a clinical setting the changes are seen over a short period of time to create a dramatic effect.