Willy Loman a Tragic Character
Playwright Arthur Miller wrote the tragic play "Death of a Salesman", and in the story, the main character supports the qualities of a modern tragic hero. According to Arthur Miller's ideas and theories of the characteristics of a tragic character, Willy Loman is a tragic character. This is because Willy Loman has the following attributes: a tragic character is presented as a victim of society or in other words a common man; where "a sense of triumph is evident even if the character dies - someone benefits" (A. Miller as per lecture: ENG4U1 07/12/04) and a tragic flaw which leads to Willy Loman's downfall. In classical tragedy, it is said that tragic heroes are usually someone of high status but in modern tragedies Arthur Miller "believes that the common man is an apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were" (A. Miller as per lecture: ENG4U1, 07/12/04). Also the Qualities of a Tragic Hero states that the "Character is usually presented as a victim of society" (A. Miller as per lecture: ENG4U1, 07/12/04). In the play, Willy Loman is a common man and is a victim of society because first of all, he is just an old salesman who is pretty unsuccessful in selling "Willy Loman the salesman enters, carrying two large sa
Miller as per lecture: ENG4U1, 07/12/04). 83) Another point is that Miller has already indirectly indicated that Willy is not of higher status with his last name "Loman-Low man"; hence it hints that Willy is a common man. So therefore his tragic flaw leads him to tell lies and be unsuccessful to a point where he decides to kill himself and leave money for Biff to be successful. Through out the story, Willy wants to be a successful business man who lives the American dream owning a house, car, having a successful family and the one most important thing is his son Biff. Therefore Howard symbolizes the "society" where Willy fall victim to and this is a major effect on Willy when he is fired "I think you need a good long rest, Willy. In conclusion, Willy Loman can be described as a tragic character because of he was a common man who failed to overcome his flaw which led to his downfall and in the end he still had a sense of triumph when he died and his death benefited Biff. He had wanted to keep his dignity till the very end and even though he was a common man, he stood strong till the end and sacrificed himself to help his son who he has loved. And till the end, Willy still thinks that he is well known and that at this funeral there will be many people there. 10) and later on realizes that he does not have the potential to succeed, no matter how hard Willy wants him to succeed. His job is considered to be a blue collared job which proves that it is a common job that anyone can have, as opposed to being a Governor who is of higher status. Lastly "a sense of triumph is evident even if the character dies and with this triumph, someone benefits. The play was, in a sense so tragic because Willy had wanted the best for his family and committed suicide out of love to help his lost son. This shows that Willy has failed to overcome his pride to accept reality and therefore uses lies and illusions to make him think otherwise.
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