Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman as Classic Greek Tragedy

Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman as Classic Greek Tragedy Miller’s Death of a Salesman is an interesting and complex play set at a time of great change in America. Some people believe that it is one of a few classic tragedies written in modern time. While on the surface this play and characters dont appear to hold the definition of tragedy that Aristotle described. In a modern context I believe it may be very close to fitting that mold. Willy is a person that has always been a dreamer. Willy is very proud and self reliant in his approach to life. So much so, that his attitude contributes to his overall downfall. Willys character lives during a time of great change in America. Willys job along with the American way of life†¦show more content†¦Willys downfall, in my opinion, started at some point earlier in his life. Willy at one point reflects on his affair with the other woman. The peak of his fall is at the time his son Biff comes to meet him in Boston after failing math. While there has always been some strain on Willy for his cheating on his wife it came to a head when he was caught by Biff in the hotel room with the other woman. Biff was crushed evidenced by his emotion state, crying and sitting on the suitcase. Biff tells his father hes just a liar and directly disobeying his fathers request for help in packing. Biffs statement to his father concerning the fact that Willy gave away his mothers silk stockings haunts Willy for the remainder of his life. Several times in later life Willy is upset when Linda is seen darning or repairing her stockings. The fact that Willy also wants to ignore his part in his cheating having any effect on Biffs loss of direction and confidence also is a recurring situation for Willy. Willy continually has to remind Biff that its not his fault that Biff is a bum and has no direction. Its almost as if Willy is trying to convince himself that he isnt at fault and if he says it enough it will somehow come true. Throughout the play Willy has had to maintain to everyone else, the level of his importance. Willy continually states how all the buyers line up to see him and how everyone knows himShow MoreRelatedWilly 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 MoreDeath Of A Salesman Tragedy Essay1365 Words   |  6 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a tragic play written in 1949 by Arthur Miller. 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