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Character of Willy Loman on death of a salesman
Characteristics of Willy Loman in the Play Death of a Salesman as a Modern tragedy
Character of Willy Loman on death of a salesman
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Aristotle defines anagnorisis or discovery under his definition of simple and complex fables or plots. A simple plot is one in which the hero experiences a change in fortune without peripety or discovery. Peripety is defined as a reversal or a change “from one state of things within a play to its opposite.”1 Aristotle defines discovery as “a change from ignorance to knowledge, and thus to either love or hate, in the personage marked for good or evil fortune. The finest form of discovery is one attended by peripeties, like that which goes with the discovery in Oedipus.2 A complex fable is one in which discovery leads to peripety although the complex plot may involve either discovery or peripety or both. When both occur together and result in a climax or turning point, the result of their combination constitutes “the most effective kind of tragedy.” one could argue that a tragedy which does not involve discovery is not as effective as the tragedy which does. However, Aristotle does insist that realization of a tragic hero’s hamartia is mandatory. If the tragic hero experiences some degree of discovery in a complex tragedy, the tragic effect is evidently heightened. In spite of the self-realization of his flaw, the hero usually cannot change his course because of circumstances already set in motion.
Self realization on a hero’s part involves recognition of his flaw and enlightenment on his part as he moves from ignorance and innocence to knowledge, guilt, and a greater consciousness. As he comes to awareness, he may perceive his true nature or comprehend his plight and the factors that have brought him to his current state. One modern definition of anagnorisis is “the tragic hero’s recognition of himself and the essence of life.”3 ...
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...nd Edward Albee, The University of Toledo, 1972.
6. Welland, Dennis, Arthur Miller, New York: Grove Press, 1961, pp. 38-39.
7. Atkinson Brook. Critic at Large: Definition of Tragedy Finds Examples in Life as well as Literature, New York Times, December 12, 1961
8. Butcher, S.H. Aristotle Theory of Poetry and Fine Art with a Critical Text and Translation of the Poetics, 4th Rev. Ed., Dover Publication, Inc., 1951, pp. 317-19.
9. Brown, Mason, John. Still Seeing Things, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1950, pp.203-04.
10. Weales, Gerald. Theatre Without Walls, A Time of Harvest Robert E. Spiller ed. New York: Hill & Wang, 1994, p. 142.
11. Bettina, M. Sister. Willy Loman’s Brother Ben: Tragic Insight in Death of a Salesman, Modern Drama, IV, (1961-62), pp. 409-
12. Dillingham, B. Williams. Arthur Miller and the Loss of Conscience, Emory University Quarterly, XVI (Spring, 1960).