The play, Death of a Salesman, is one of the most critically acclaimed plays to have ever been produced and performed on Broadway, as it has won several awards and received praise from critics and audiences around the world. Though it was introduced sixty years ago, the play transcends through time depicting the reality of the American lifestyle. The main character, Willy Loman, is in an on-going rough patch in his life, and his thoughts and desires are seen through delusions that meld together his haunting past and his bleak present (Murphy).
Miller’s use of symbolism and realism together creates characters that represent more than another person, as in some cases they represent the deeper thoughts and characteristics of Willy himself. His …show more content…
The distinctive phases that Aristotle sets for his heroes, including an originally high title or power in society and an epiphany or insight that the hero reaches, are vague in the play. There are, however, some aspects that show Willy as a tragic hero, as his tragic flaw could be his pride. Willy is too proud to admit he is in a rough place and he constantly lies about his finances. He does not reach a high title in society, as he is struggling with finances and is literally a lo-man, lower in social standings than a typical tragic hero. Miller defends his character as a tragic hero in his publication, “Tragedy and the Common Man,” stating that even the common man, barren of the power that comes with royalty, can become a hero in a tragedy. Miller’s essay redefines the original thoughts regarding a tragedy, pressing that the character’s self-actualization and sense of freedom distinguishes him as a hero, regardless of social class. Though “Tragedy and the Common Man” was written to prove Death of a Salesman as a tragedy, the discussion sparked a debate that resonates throughout twentieth century literature
Miller’s use of symbolism and realism together creates characters that represent more than another person, as in some cases they represent the deeper thoughts and characteristics of Willy himself. His …show more content…
The distinctive phases that Aristotle sets for his heroes, including an originally high title or power in society and an epiphany or insight that the hero reaches, are vague in the play. There are, however, some aspects that show Willy as a tragic hero, as his tragic flaw could be his pride. Willy is too proud to admit he is in a rough place and he constantly lies about his finances. He does not reach a high title in society, as he is struggling with finances and is literally a lo-man, lower in social standings than a typical tragic hero. Miller defends his character as a tragic hero in his publication, “Tragedy and the Common Man,” stating that even the common man, barren of the power that comes with royalty, can become a hero in a tragedy. Miller’s essay redefines the original thoughts regarding a tragedy, pressing that the character’s self-actualization and sense of freedom distinguishes him as a hero, regardless of social class. Though “Tragedy and the Common Man” was written to prove Death of a Salesman as a tragedy, the discussion sparked a debate that resonates throughout twentieth century literature