Aristotelian definition of the tragic hero
Germanic definition of the tragic hero
Arthur Miller definition of the tragic hero
The common versus elevated tragic hero
Social displacement and the tragic hero: Willy Loman
The “tragic flaw” in Willy Loman
The terror and fear of the tragic hero in Willy Loman
The tragic hero and the existential dilemma
Whole self-realization as the “fixed star” in the tragic hero
Courage in the face of reality versus fleeing into an ideal in the tragic hero
Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals revolt that they may be superior.
If we are to examine if Willy Loman, the protagonist of Miller’s Death of a Salesman represents a tragic hero, we need to agree upon the definition of tragedy and heroes of it. If we look at the Aristotelian definition of tragedy, we feel that it neither fully explains nor even encompasses in many aspects the character of Willy Loman. In Aristotle’s Poetics we read that tragedy is defined as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions” (O’Brien and Dukore 1-2). When we look at the Germanic definition of the tragic hero we get a little closer to the character of Willy Loman, “The Germanic hero accepts his destiny, and launches himself on it, knowing that on the one hand he is sacrificing human happiness, and on the other obeying the dictates of honor” (Smithers 78). Willy Loman, also trying to maintain some shred of honor, commits suicide as his action to correct a world he finds sorely out of balance. Still, we can see with an even more lucid understanding that Willy Loman is the epitome of the tragic hero if we look at Arthur Mill...