Maya Chen
Angel Dumott Schunard is a street drummer and one of the main characters in Rent. Angel is described as caring, giving, and kind. However, Angel's introduction to the group involves a story of how they were hired by a rich woman to kill her neighbour's dog. This dog is later revealed to be Benny's, leading to a pivotal moment in the film where Collins tells Benny that he has paid for the funeral of the person who killed his dog. This has sparked debate among fans, with some justifying Angel's actions as a form of self-preservation, while others are shocked by the act of animal cruelty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Dog | Evita |
| Breed of Dog | Akita |
| Owner of the Dog | Benny (Benjamin Coffin III) |
| Killer of the Dog | Angel |
| Reason for Killing | Hired by a rich woman to kill her neighbour's dog |
| Angel's Reaction to the Incident | Angel recounts the story through song in a comical manner |
| Other Character's Reaction | Collins tells Benny, "It's fair to say, you just paid for the funeral of the man who killed your dog." |
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What You'll Learn
Angel's motivation for killing Benny's dog
Angel Dumott Schunard, a street drummer, is one of the most controversial characters in Rent. Angel is described as very caring, giving, and kind. However, Angel is also known for killing Benny's dog, which is revealed through the song "Today 4 U".
Additionally, Angel's character is known for their dark humor and using comedy as a coping mechanism. When Angel recounts the story of killing the dog, they may be using humor to deal with the guilt or trauma of the act. Angel's nonchalant attitude and whistling in response to Benny's revelation about the dog's death could be interpreted as a defense mechanism rather than a lack of remorse.
Furthermore, Angel's gender identity and presentation may have played a role in how their actions were perceived. Angel's gender identity has been a subject of debate among fans, with interpretations ranging from drag queen to transgender woman to genderfluid. The other characters use a mix of masculine and feminine pronouns for Angel, contributing to the ambiguity. In a society where gender norms and expectations exist, Angel's gender expression may have influenced how their actions were judged and the expectations placed on them.
Lastly, it is important to consider the context of the story and the flawed nature of its characters. Rent is a snapshot of life in a specific area and time, where there are no clear heroes or villains. Every character has their flaws, and Angel's action of killing the dog can be viewed as a result of their circumstances and personal struggles.
While Angel's motivation for killing Benny's dog is never explicitly stated, it is likely a combination of financial needs, personal circumstances, and the complex dynamics of their relationships with other characters.
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The dog's death as a source of humour
Angel's character in Rent is generally comical and heartwarming, but also touching and sentimental. Angel's presence brings humour to the show, and their death is a pivotal point in the story.
The dog's death is used as a source of humour in the musical Rent, and the characters engage in dark humour to cope with the situation. Angel's character is introduced as having killed a dog, which is revealed in the song "Today 4 U", and this is one of the first things that Collins learns about them. The song is likely a reference to La Bohème, where a similar scene involves a man being paid to kill a parrot. The lyrics "Today for you, tomorrow for me" refer to the sharing of wealth, and the things we are willing to do for ourselves and those we care about. Angel's actions can be interpreted as an act of self-preservation, as they are dying of AIDS and need money to survive.
The humour surrounding the dog's death is heightened by the characters' reactions. When Benny reveals his wife didn't come to the show because their dog died, Mark and Roger realise it is the same dog that Angel killed. Angel's innocent and genuine reaction, along with Collins's silent "Shut the hell up, bitches", adds to the hilarity of the scene. The audience and other characters react with "EVITA!", and in some productions, a random cast member barks, adding to the comedic effect.
The dark humour continues when Collins tells Benny, "It's fair to say, you just paid for the funeral of the man who killed your dog," to which Benny replies, "I know. I always hated that dog." This exchange provides a comedic moment, as Benny acknowledges Angel's actions and expresses his dislike for the dog.
The dog's death also serves as a way for Angel to introduce themselves to the group and form connections. Despite the shocking nature of the act, Angel's presence and interactions with the other characters are portrayed in a humorous light, adding to the comedic tone of the musical.
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Angel's introduction to the other characters
Angel Dumott Schunard is one of the main characters in Rent, and also one of the most controversial. Angel is a street drummer who is HIV-positive. They are first introduced to the audience and the other characters through Tom Collins, whom Angel finds beaten up and robbed on the street. They discover they are both HIV-positive and attend a Life Support meeting together, becoming close friends and lovers. Angel is described as funny, confident, loving, and open-minded, with a positive outlook on life.
Angel is a friend of Mimi Marquez, and the two grow closer throughout the show. In the song "Today 4 U", Angel describes being hired by a rich woman to kill her neighbour's dog. This is likely how they first met Mimi, as Angel says: "I just met this woman who offered me a grand to play my drums to kill her neighbour's dog". This is a shocking introduction to the other characters, as one Reddit user points out: "I still don't understand HOW [Angel killed the dog]. And what a hell of a way to introduce yourself to a bunch of people. 'Hi I'm Angel, I just murdered an animal.'".
Angel's gender identity is a subject of debate among fans, with some believing Angel to be a transgender woman, others a drag queen, and others still speculating that they are genderfluid. Throughout the show, Angel presents as feminine and goes by "she", although Angel describes themself as a boy at one point, and the other characters use a mix of "he" and "she". Angel's gender identity was likely intended to be that of a drag queen by the writer, but the terminology at the time was limited.
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Benny's reaction to the dog's death
Benny's initial reaction to the death of his dog, Evita, is one of sadness. He tells his friends that his wife, Alison, did not come to the show because their dog died. However, when Mark and Roger realise that the dog in question is the one Angel killed, Benny's reaction is not shown. In the stageplay, the cast members react by shouting "Evita!" and one of them barks, adding a comedic element to the scene.
Later, when Benny pays for Angel's funeral, Collins says to him, "It's fair to say, you just paid for the funeral of the man who killed your dog," to which Benny replies, "I know. I always hated that dog." This response indicates that Benny is aware of who killed his dog and has come to terms with the death, even finding a silver lining in the situation.
Overall, Benny's reactions to the death of his dog range from sadness to humour to acceptance, with a touch of bitterness in his acknowledgement that he "always hated that dog."
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Angel's gender identity
In the original script, Angel is written by composer Jonathan Larson as a drag queen, and is referred to as such by Mark, the play's narrator. Angel's daily life in the musical, however, differs from what would typically be associated with a drag queen at the time. Angel is often seen fully dressed in drag while performing mundane tasks, hanging out with friends, and engaging in intimate relationships with straight people. This has led some to interpret Angel as more than just a drag queen, possibly as a trans woman or a gender non-conforming individual.
In more recent productions and revivals of Rent, the script has been tweaked to make Angel's gender identity more explicitly trans or gender non-conforming. For example, in one revival, Angel asks Collins if he likes her as she is, implying that her feminine gender expression is an inherent part of her identity. However, other viewers have noted that Angel's gender expression is not entirely consistent throughout the show, with some characters using varying pronouns when referring to Angel. This inconsistency has led some to speculate that Larson himself may not have had a clear idea of Angel's gender identity when writing the character.
The interpretation of Angel's gender identity as potentially trans or gender non-conforming has sparked critical dialogue within the queer community. Some argue that Rent missed an opportunity to positively represent trans women and full-time gender non-conforming individuals by not providing Angel with more opportunities to speak for her own identity. However, others appreciate the lack of labels in the musical, seeing it as a sign of the unimportance of fitting into set definitions and the freedom to express one's true self.
Ultimately, Angel's gender identity in Rent is left open to interpretation, with different viewers and productions offering varying perspectives. This ambiguity reflects the complex and evolving nature of gender identity and expression, both within the queer community and in society as a whole.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Angel killed Benny's dog, an Akita named Evita.
Angel was hired by a rich woman to kill her neighbour's dog, which was constantly yapping. She was paid $1,000 to do it.
Angel was hired because it was assumed that her drumming would kill the dog, but it is unclear how Angel actually killed the dog.
