Willy Loman The Modern Tragic Hero Essay

, Research Paper

A tragic hero is known to be the protagonist who causes his own downfall, is seen as

greater than the average man, and is aware of his misfortune. In Arthur Miller?s Death of

a Salesman Willy Loman is the protagonist. Willy Loman illustrates significant

characteristics of a tragic hero.

Willy Loman achieves ?recognition.? Willy, like Aristotle?s description of the

tragic hero, moves ?from ignorance to knowledge?(Aristotle 190). Willy is ignorant of

his significance. He is unaware that his son Biff really loves him, but wife Linda helps

Willy realize the truth. When Willy knows that his life insurance money will help his

family live comfortably, he states that he is ?worth more dead than alive?(Miller 98).

He then sacrifices himself for them.

Although he is a common man, Willy has the requisite stature to be heroic.

According to Arthur Miller, the tragic hero has ?alternatives of a magnitude to have

materially changed the course of his life?(Miller 33). Willy strives to obtain the

American Dream by becoming successful in the business world. Willy envies people like

Ben and Howard who have achieved the American Dream. Willy also wants to have a

successful family life as a father and husband. Unfortunately, Willy was out of town on

business for a large part of his son?s lives. These business trips were also the cause of his

secret affair with a woman in Boston. The success that Willy tries so hard to achieve in

the business world is what causes his failure to obtain success in his personal life.

Willy Loman illustrates significant characteristics of a tragic hero. Many

decisions made by Willy cause his downfall. Through his actions and the course of

events it becomes clear that Willy Loman is a modern tragic hero.

Bibliography

Death of a Salesman by Arthor Miller