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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page essay that argues that Willy Loman, from Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman” was not a tragic hero. In defending this thesis, the writer discusses Aristotle’s criteria in regards to the characterization of the tragic hero and then relates this to the play. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khwlnth.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
is, that this play follows the ancient Greek paradigm for classic tragedy. While Millers play does fit Aristotles criteria for the elements of tragedy, it differs in one crucial, but
all-important aspect- Willy Loman is not a tragic hero (thesis statement). This can be shown, first of all, by examining what Aristotle stipulates should be true of characterization of
a tragic hero and then comparing this to the characterization of Willy in Millers play. Aristotle in his Poetics asserts that in a perfect tragedy, the protagonist should be
"renowned and prosperous," so that the change in fortune as the play progresses is obvious and severe (McManus). Furthermore, the heros change in fortune should come about, not as a
result of "vice," but rather due to "some great error or frailty in a character" (McManus). The term that Aristotle used to convey this was the Greek word "hamartia," which
is frequently translated as "tragic flaw," but many scholars feel that a better translation is "mistake," rather than "flaw" (McManus). In other words, an classic Aristotelian tragic hero will bring
about his own downfall, "not because he is sinful or morally weak, but because he does not know enough," so he commits a tragic, often ironic, error (McManus). Analysis
of Willys character shows him to be a highly flawed man, who makes innumerable mistakes and brings about his own tragic demise by committing suicide. But while this is tragic,
Willy is not a tragic hero because he fails to meet Aristotles criteria. First of all, he is neither famous nor wealthy, although he would very much like to be.
Willy is an aging traveling salesman, around the age of sixty and in failing health. He has spent his life on the road, raised two sons, and faces old
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