Common Man as Tragic Hero in Death of a Salesman Essay

Common Man as Tragic Hero in Death of a Salesman What is tragedy? While the literal definition may have changed over the centuries, one man believed he knew the true meaning of a tragic performance. Aristotle belonged to the culture that first invented tragic drama – the ancient Greeks. Through this, he gave himself credibility enough to illustrate the universally necessary elements of tragic drama. In The Poetics, Aristotle gives a clear definition of a tragedy, writing that it is â€Å"an imitation, through action rather than narration, of a serious, complete, and ample action, by means of language rendered pleasant at different places in the constituent parts by each of the aids [used to make language more delightful], in which†¦show more content†¦The fall of a king or a man of great power served as the basis for Aristotle’s perfect tragedy. As centuries have passed, however, the world has evolved into a place with very few kings, but does this mean the modern experience is devoid of tragedy? With his 1949 play Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller proved such was not the case. The story of traveling salesman Willy Loman, his feeble relationship with his eldest son, and his professional failure demonstrated that tragedy could be translated into the modern world. Although Death of a Salesman holds true to many aspects of the Aristotelian ideal with its linear plot and ultimate resolution, Arthur Miller did successfully challenge the definition of one of the philosopher’s tragic elements – that of the Tragic Hero. The character of Willy Loman is true to his allegorical name. He is a â€Å"low man.† He is far from being a king or a nobleman, or a modern equivalent, such as a successful politician, a wealthy CEO, or a much-admired celebrity. He lives in a small, unassuming home, works at a tedious and under-appreciated job, and has difficulty listening, understanding, and relating to his sons. By Aristotle’s definition, he is the kind of person whose story, if it were recognized to exist atShow MoreRelatedWilly Loman, the Modern Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman1739 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€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 mus t first understand the basic characteristics that the heroes created by Sophocles and Aristotle encompass. The Greek tragic heroes, otherwiseRead More Comparing the Tragedies of Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman1023 Words   |  5 PagesComparing the Tragedies of Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman The tragedies Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman have strikingly different plots and characters; however, each play shares common elements in its resolution. The events in the plays’ closings derive from a tragic flaw possessed by the protagonist in each play. The downfall of each protagonist is caused by his inability to effectively cope with his tragic flaw. The various similarities in the closing ofRead More Tragic Heroes in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House1709 Words   |  7 PagesTragic Heroes in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House Dramatists such as Aristotle started to write a series of plays called tragedies. They were as follows: the play revolved around a great man such as a king or war hero, who possessed a tragic flaw. This flaw or discrepancy would eventually become his downfall. These types of plays are still written today, for example, Arthur Millers Death of Salesman and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. Death of SalesmanRead MoreDeath of a Salesman vs. Tragedy and the Common Man1220 Words   |  5 Pagesexplained in his essay Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller establishes the pattern for his own notion of a tragedy and the consequent ramifications for the tragic hero. This pattern supports the central idea that a tragedy can occur for characters who are common men as well as those in high places. Throughout his paper, Miller demonstrates that it should be possible for every reader to be able to identify with the tragic hero. Miller redefines tragedy as more common occurrence than what might happ enRead 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 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 Miller 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 posi tion. The last proof of this is how Miller talks aboutRead More 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 MoreThe Tragedy Of Tragedy Essay1428 Words   |  6 Pagesin the set goals never being in sight and sadly never being met. Tragic Hero For every tragic story involves â€Å"Tragic Hero†. When we all think of the word hero, we conclude that the story is going to have a happy ending, but unfortunately that is not the case in tragic literature. According to Author Miller’s Tragedy and the Common Man, the one quality that causes every tragic hero to â€Å"fall† is their tragic flaw. Tragic flaw is one’s desire to maintain or obtain a position in societyRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Tragedy Essay1365 Words   |  6 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a tragic play written in 1949 by Arthur Miller. The story is about a salesman who lost his identity after having an affair with another woman and can’t seem to accept the changes in his life since the event. The story has been performed in theaters and shown on film for many years. Lee Siegel, a writer for The Nation explains the role of Death of a Salesman in the entertainment industry: Every ten years or so, Death of a Salesman is revived, and every ten years we get theRead MoreTragedy and the Common Man1191 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man† In Arthur Miller’s essay â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man,† Miller mentions tragedy as man’s struggle to gain his â€Å"rightful† position in his society, and whoever that character may be—king or common man—that character is eventually brought down by his or her tragic flaws and that’s what makes that character a tragic hero. In the past, there have been many tragic heroes which can relate to Arthur Miller’s essay â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man,† in both past