Willy Loman as a Tragic Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a...

Willy Loman as a Tragic Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Should Willy Loman of Arthur Millers classic, Death of a Salesman be regarded as a tragic hero, or merely a working-class, socially inadequate failure? Described by Miller as a self-destructive, insecure anti-hero, it seems almost impossible for Loman to be what is known as a tragic hero in the classical sense, but with the inclusion of other factors he maybe a tragic hero, at least in the modern context, or partially suit one nonetheless. To make the decision as to Whether Loman is a tragic hero or not, one must define the term tragic hero and reveal its development in theatre over the course of time. The tragic hero†¦show more content†¦Although Shakespeare tends to follow this pattern; his education may have led him to lesser liberal thinking. Miller believes it may also include the modern common man. To relate Loman to the likes of Lear, Hamlet, Oedipus, directly would be ludicrous but some comparisons can be made. As Biff states Loman does follow the wrong dreams but he does work and he is just able to provide for his family and pay off the mortgage. However it is clear that even Lomans best is not enough, this is shown by the result of the borrowing of money from Charley. As salesmen are paid on commission Loman cannot be faulted on this, as his age, work conditions and his mental state are all core contributors to the fact he cannot make ends meet. The other tragic heroes have faults of which are the trigger of their demise i.e. Othellos jealousy. Likewise Loman has his own faults, his main one being, and his belief in the American dream. The American dream is a concept that, any one who works hard, can succeed in the land of opportunity. This offers riches to those who start with nothing. Ben is a true representation of this as Willy states, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a man started with the clothes on his back and ended up with diamond minesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Loman has yet to achieve such a goal yet still holds on to the dreams atShow MoreRelated Willy Loman, Redefining the Tragic Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman1065 Words   |  5 PagesWilly Loman, Redefining the Tragic Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman      Ã‚  Ã‚   The events in the life of Willy Loman in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman are no doubt tragic, yet whether or not he can be considered a tragic hero in a traditional sense is a topic requiring some discussion. Aristotle set the criteria for qualities a character must possess in order to be considered a tragic hero. In order to reach a conclusion on this matter, all six criteria must be examined to determineRead MoreArthur Miller s Death Of A Salesman Essay1567 Words   |  7 Pagesstory, which represents a character with a tragic flaw leading to his downfall. In addition, in traditional tragedy, the main character falls from high authority and often it is predetermined by fate, while the audience experiences catharsis (Irving 247). Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman is considered to be a tragedy because this literary work has some of the main characteristics of the tragedy genre. In this play, the main character Willy Loman possesses such traits and behaviors that leadRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1573 Words   |  7 Pagessad story, which represents a character with a tragic flaw leading to his downfall. In addition, in traditional tragedy, the main character falls from high authority and often it is predetermined by fate, while the audience experiences catharsis (Bloom 2). Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman is considered to be a tragedy because this literary work has some of the main characteristics of the tragedy genre. In this play, the main character Willy Loman possesses such traits and behaviors that leadRead More Death of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man1046 Words   |  5 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man In Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man. The criteria and standards proposed by Miller may be used to evaluate his timeless work, Death of A Salesman. The first major standard of tragedy set forth is:   â€Å"...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable thatRead MoreCharacteristics Of Willy Loman A Tragic Hero834 Words   |  4 PagesWilly Loman a Tragic Hero? Death Of a Salesman is a 1949 play written by american playwright Arthur Miller. It is a breathtaking play about Willy Loman, a salesman, trying to chase a dream that died long ago. It expresses how the old man’s life comes crumbling down with his last few attempts to make some of his dream reality and help his family in debt. Now people are debating weather Willy loman fits the right characteristics to be classified as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is someone who makesRead MoreWilly Loman: the Tragic Hero Essay1462 Words   |  6 PagesArthur Miller made the comment that a tragic hero â€Å"has the inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity.† Nowhere is this more evident than in Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, where salesman Willy Loman desperately struggles to regain a sense of dignity after experiencing a number of setbacks in his life. Despite not being able to provide for his family, Willy Loman continues the futile struggle to earn a living, which shows the despairRead MoreWilly Loman, the Modern Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman1739 Words   |  7 Pages In Arthur Miller’s essay â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man†, a picture is painted of a â€Å"flaw-full† man, known as the modern hero of tragedies. Miller describes what characteristics the modern tragic hero possesses and how he differs from the heroes depicted by classic Greek playwrights such as Sophocles and Aristotle. In order to understand how drastically the modern hero has evolved, one must first understand the basic characteristics that the heroes created by Sophocles and Aristotle encompass. TheRead More The American Dream Conspiracy in Death of a Salesman Essay1728 Words   |  7 PagesArthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman tells the story of the failure of a salesman, Willy Loman. Although not all Americans are salesmen, most of us share Willy’s dream of success. We are all partners in the American Dream and parties to the conspiracy of silence surrounding the fact that failures must outnumber successes.(Samantaray, 2014) Miller amalgamates the archetypal tragic hero with the mundane American citizen. The result is the anti-hero, Willy Loman. He is a simple salesman who constantlyRead MoreDeath of a Salesman vs Hamlet: Tragic Heroes The Essence of Fragile Dreams1151 Words   |  5 Pagesevery person contains characteristics that describe that of a hero, do they not? Each human has endured hardship and suffering. Each human mind composes itself of superior and appalling traits. Each human mind invents a hero as someone they could not measure up to, no matter how much they hope and dream. In the plays â€Å"Hamlet† by William Shakespeare, and â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller, the main characters, Hamlet and Willy Loman, possess several heroic qualities, but unfortunately their fatesRead MoreHow Is Willy Loman A Tragic Hero727 Words   |  3 Pages The tragic hero referenced throughout the essay Tragedy and a Common Man is Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman. What Arthur Mille r means by tragic hero is a protagonist in a play or a different form of filmography who is a subject for tragedy in its highest sense. The essay refers to a character who is ready to lay down his life to secure his personal dignity. The next reference to this character is society the struggle to gain a rightful position. The last proof of this is how Miller talks about