Adversity In Horace's Death Of A Salesman

William Shakespeare once stated, “Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.” Throughout a lifetime, many individuals encounter obstacles, and overcoming hindrances often elicits a positive response providing a sense of motivation and drive toward success. Hardship can contort our perspective on the world around us and makes us multifaceted individuals. However, incessant adversity can burden any individual, and the effect of this distress can be devastating to one’s prosperity. Sometimes, the excessive demand placed upon someone is destructive, instigating his or her downfall. As evidenced by literary, historical, film, and personal examples, Horace’s notion that adversity can bring forth hidden talents

Willy’s emotional and financial struggle elicits a conglomeration of bad qualities – lies, infidelity, and disillusionment. Willy’s unsuccessful career as a salesman further engrains his negative self- image, making him doubt his fatherly qualities. He is constantly bickering about his luck, but he never admits that he has a problem. Willy never overcomes this vocational obstacle, and he finds solace in the past. He constantly dreams about his elder son, Biff’s, high school football career and never attempts to wholeheartedly remediate his struggle. In the end, Willy kills himself, foolishly thinking that the act would benefit his family. His disparity and Byronic characterization throughout the novel causes readers to sympathize with Willy. The psychological effects of adversity can be so severe that it causes one to hate his or her existence, as illustrated by Willy and his battle against

Without adversity, I wouldn’t fully recognize the significance of prosperity and success. For example, in middle school, I had a difficult time with a couple people who I thought were my friends. Though they were nice to me, I just did not like the way they treated others, and eventually I stopped supporting them. Though it is not a particularly positive situation, I did derive meaning and awareness from this experience. Today, I know that the friends I want will not have demeaning characteristics. I found my identity by establishing my values and confirming them through my actions. I recall a conversation I had with my grandpa when he told me about how it doesn't matter about what other people are trying to achieve but rather what changes I want to bring about in the world. This advice has stuck with me for as long as I remember and the close rapport I have with my grandparents truly does inspire me to become the person I know I can be. In my opinion, identity and self-awareness are aspects in life that are mutable processes and often change throughout a lifetime based on circumstances. I realized that my experiences through both prosperity and hardship only serve to enhance my decisions and purpose in