A tragic figure is a characteristic of a dramatic tragedy. Willy is the protagonist
of the play. All his life he wanted to have the American dream. He was so
concerned about making it big; he did not even realize his whole life was
crumbling right underneath him. His family was falling apart and eventually so
did he. Many people have argued that Willy is no tragic hero. There are four
elements to qualify as tragic figure ; noble or impressive character, the main
character's discovery or recognition of a truth about himself, poetic language,
and the ability to arouse and then soothe the audience's pity and fear. Who says
that a tragic hero has to have all those four elements?
Some people say that Willy has all those four elements, and others think Willy is
no one special. Willy realizes a truth about himself in the play and that is that he
is a failure as a salesman, husband and father. He cheats on his wife and buys
silk stocking for his mistress, but yet can’t afford any for his wife. He leads his
sons in the wrong direction by telling them stealing is alright. As well he goes to
Yonkers and comes home empty handed and has to borrow from Charley. Does
this not qualify as the main character's discovery a truth about himself? Willy is a
noble character because he provides for his family even though he borrows from
Charley he makes sure everything is there for his family. Is that a noble
character?
Willy did not let his pride get in the way when he asked Charley for money
every week; he sacrificed for his family is that not being noble? Arthur Miller uses
metaphors and poetic language. Here are some examples Act I"A man is not a
bird, to come and go with the springtime", Act II "Be loving to him, because he's
only a little boat looking for a harbor.” The Audience feels pity for Willy because
what he is doing is not living; but when Willy has a flashback on when his sons
looked up to him and thought of him as hero the audience feels no pity for him.
Instead they are happy for him. A tragic figure has four elements and Willy
Loman does qualify as a tragic figure.
Willy Loman is a tragic figure because he died at the end of the play. Willy
Loman was the main reason for his own downfall. He cheats on his wife; he gets
fired because he is not needed. He lived a lie, and told his sons stealing was
okay. Just before he dies he says that by him will save Biff. Willy
believed that once he died that so many people would go to his funeral; but only
five people went and this proved that Willy lived a lie until he died. Willy Loman
is a tragic figure.
..short essay. The sentences sound kind of abrupt. Use transitions and pronouns. Don't say "Willy Loman" so many times.
have
In this short essay, the question of whether Willy Loman from the play is a tragic figure is explored. It is argued that Willy possesses the four elements typically associated with a tragic figure - a noble character, a discovery or recognition of a truth about himself, poetic language, and the ability to evoke pity and fear in the audience.
One aspect that supports Willy as a tragic figure is his realization of the truth about himself. Throughout the play, he comes to understand that he has been a failure as a salesman, husband, and father. His infidelity, financial struggles, and misguided guidance for his sons contribute to his self-awareness. This recognition of his flaws and failures can be seen as the main character's discovery of the truth about himself.
Furthermore, Willy exhibits nobility in certain aspects of his character. Despite his flaws, he constantly works to provide for his family, even if it means borrowing money from Charley. This selflessness and sacrifice for his family can be interpreted as noble traits. Additionally, Willy's willingness to ask for help from Charley without letting his pride get in the way also demonstrates his nobility.
Arthur Miller's use of poetic language and metaphors throughout the play further adds to the tragic nature of Willy's character. These poetic elements provide depth and emotional resonance to the story. Examples such as "A man is not a bird, to come and go with the springtime" and "Be loving to him, because he's only a little boat looking for a harbor" evoke powerful emotions and contribute to the audience's engagement with Willy's journey.
While Willy's actions and choices may arouse pity and even fear in the audience, there are moments in the play where the audience may also feel a sense of happiness or relief for him. For instance, when Willy experiences a flashback of when his sons looked up to him as a hero, the audience may experience joy rather than pity for him. However, the fact that these moments of happiness are fleeting, and ultimately overshadowed by the tragic events that unfold, still aligns with the ability to arouse and soothe the audience's emotions.
In conclusion, Willy Loman can be considered a tragic figure based on the presence of the four elements typically associated with such characters. His discovery of the truth about himself, his inherent nobility, the use of poetic language, and the ability to evoke pity and fear all contribute to his tragic nature. While some may argue against his classification as a tragic hero, it is clear that Willy's character possesses the necessary qualities to be considered a tragic figure.