Willy Loman As A Tragic Hero

Willy Loman appears in Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. Unlike traditional tragic heroes, Willy exhibits what could be described as an “obsession with illusions.” The protagonist of this play found hope in the American dream. However, he became too fixated on the quest for success that he did not see the harm his pride was causing him and those around him. He has the tenacity to ignore reality and persist in believing in his vision despite reality, according to his psychological profile.

Willy Loman, the protagonist of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, has many characteristics that make him a tragic hero, but he is also a tragic figure. Thus, according to Aristotle, tragedy is caused by a fatal flaw in a person of high status.

Tragedy is a genre that uses tragic heroes. The protagonist experiences tests and tribulations faced by those in real life, but the tragic hero ultimately comes out on the other side have become wiser in the process while having a catharsis of emotions. 

The play “Willy and his Wife” by Eugene O’Neill is a tragic drama that focuses on a man’s struggle with mounting failures. He loses everything he has and eventually ends up committing suicide. It was the unfaltering fact the protagonist wasn’t able to achieve the vision that left him feeling uncomfortable.

The constant failures and mistakes made it difficult for him to move on in life. The protagonist’s happiness was rudely interrupted by death, as he could no longer bear the pain of being unsuccessful at his attempts to be a husband and father. He felt that due to these failures and his own personal shortcomings, life no longer offered any value that he did not want to give up.

The protagonist, Willy, faces different obstacles in his life. The play explores Willy’s failures and shortcomings, but we see that he was mostly his own worst enemy. It is tragic that Willy does not admit that he was wrong, and that leads to his suicide. Because he refuses to accept reality, suicide seems like a straightforward solution. In the end, Willy isn’t any better at his job after wasting a lifetime of time. 

The protagonist is tired of his career. With visions of success gone, he realizes that life just isn’t worth living and commits suicide in the next few pages. ” After you’ve worked hard to reach a great finish line, it makes sense to celebrate properly and enjoy yourself thoroughly. Consider hosting your own party or going out for dinner with loved ones”. When the protagonist decided to commit suicide, their thoughts foreshadowed their tragic end.

The main characters in this play are not only Willy, the hero but also his family. Willy’s two sons seem to inherit his failure and poverty in the play. I think one of them would have turned successful if he had gone to the institution and played football. After a long day at work, Willy comes home to find his wife in deep depression. Due to the loss of his primary source of income, his sons are also left in despair. This can lead to an audience member feeling fear due to what is seen on stage.

All three elements of The Death of a Salesman are highlighted. As with Aristotle’s definition of tragedy, Miller’s play uses Willy to highlight ordinary American citizens and their daily struggles, particularly monetary issues, and marriage.

Willy isn’t the protagonist of a tragedy because he’s just an average Joe. Aristotle’s theory of tragic heroes outlines the idea that heroes have a noble background. His suicide proves that he is not fine at all. Death of a Salesman also depicts a tragic ending following the Aristotelian guidelines of medieval and Renaissance theater.