In the plays "Death of a Salesman" and "12 Angry Men," the authors illustrate the leading character as a hero. At the beginnings of the plays, the reader or viewer does not realize that the men are developing into brave men.
             Willy Loman, an exhausted old salesman, lives an unrealistic life and finds hope in dreams for the future. Part of his pride is being a Loman; a pride that he hopes all of the family will share. He cannot enjoy the present and so he often dreams of memories of the past. He loves his job but his family is more important to him. The salesman believes that the key to success is to be liked and to have a good personality. Willy has always been a figure with several faces; he must be a successful father to the boys, a provider to Linda, and a great salesman to himself.
             By losing his job, Willy realizes that he lives in illusions. The hurt man loses his sense of being "a man." Homebuilding and providing for the family are a part of a man's duties, and without a job, Willy can do neither. His life becomes meaningless to him.
             Although he still feels that he has to provide for his family, he can no longer do so from his work. The idea of suicide occurs to him; he believes the money from his insurance policy will provide financial support for his family. The exhausted, idealistic man, who had visions of a great future for his sons, does not come to terms with reality. He retains his hopes and believes that death is the only answer. Throughout the play, Willy cannot face up to reality. Despite this, the people around him like his character. This selfless act of giving away his life to help his family shows that he resembles a hero.
             Comparing the two heroes, the reader can recognize that both men believe in the innocence of youth. Willy Loman lives for the day when his son Biff has the world at his feet. He tries to help him by giving him advice. Biff will ne
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