I don't know if he could actually be redeemed. I believe he would himself think that, had he known Lucy were alive, things would have been different, but obviously as an outside observer, what kind of life could the two of them had together with her in the state she was in? But I do think it's important, for the full tragic impact, that Sweeney find her and realize who she was and regret his actions from the first moment he arrived on stage. Also, while Sweeney may be out for revenge from the start, he does go to the pie shop searching for Lucy. That is the first thing he does. He is desperate to find her.
From the script...
Todd: Would no one have mercy on her?! Lovett: So it is you--Benjamin Barker. Todd: Not Barker! Not Barker! Todd, now. Sweeney Todd. Where is she? Lovett: So changed! Good God, what did they do to you down there in bloody Australia or wherever? Todd: Where is my wife? Where's Lucy? Lovett: She poisoned herself. Arsenic from the apothecary on the corner. I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen to me. Todd: And my daughter? Lovett: Johanna? He's got her. Todd: He? Judge Turpin? Lovett: Even he had a conscience, tucked away, I suppose. Adopted her like his own. You could say it was good luck for her...almost. Todd: Fifteen years sweating in a living hell on a trumped up charge. Fifteen years dreaming that, perhaps, I might come home to a loving wife and child. Let them quake in their boots--Judge Turpin and the Beadle--for their hour has come.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-01-08 01:50 pm (UTC)From the script...
Todd: Would no one have mercy on her?!
Lovett: So it is you--Benjamin Barker.
Todd: Not Barker! Not Barker! Todd, now. Sweeney Todd. Where is she?
Lovett: So changed! Good God, what did they do to you down there in bloody Australia or wherever?
Todd: Where is my wife? Where's Lucy?
Lovett: She poisoned herself. Arsenic from the apothecary on the corner. I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen to me.
Todd: And my daughter?
Lovett: Johanna? He's got her.
Todd: He? Judge Turpin?
Lovett: Even he had a conscience, tucked away, I suppose. Adopted her like his own. You could say it was good luck for her...almost.
Todd: Fifteen years sweating in a living hell on a trumped up charge. Fifteen years dreaming that, perhaps, I might come home to a loving wife and child. Let them quake in their boots--Judge Turpin and the Beadle--for their hour has come.