(A* in A-Level English Literature) This study guide covers each aspect of tragedy in Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman'. Each aspect has a detailed explanation and relevant quotes, making it easy to answer the specific essay questions that you may be given.
Death of a Salesman
Tragic protagonist
In classical tragedy, the tragic protagonist is usually a male, public figure who brings suffering or change to his society
following his death.
Death of a Salesman could be seen as an ‘American Tragedy’ as Willy represents America (p38: We would start in Boston –
Boston is where America was ‘born’). Therefore, America itself could be seen as the tragic protagonist.
Definition Quotes What this tells us
Megalopsychi The ‘greatness of A fine, troubled prince. A Willy is a prince to Biff (and the rest of his
a spirit’ or hardworking, unappreciated family) – highlights the play as a domestic
importance of prince. (Act 2) tragedy, whilst referring to the noble
the protagonist. protagonists of classical tragedies.
Somewhat ironic, as he doesn’t actually
have megalopsychia.
Willy Loman Lacks megalopsychia. His low social status
is reflected in his name Loman – ‘Low
Ben, am I right? Don’t you think
man’. Even ‘Willy’ as a diminutive (rather
I’m right? (Act 2)
than the more formal William) makes him
seem childish and emasculated. This is
emphasised by his low self-confidence –
he undermines his own power.
Small, fragile-seeming home (Act Transferred epithet for Willy, who is also
1) small and fragile-seeming.
Hamartia The tragic or fatal The flute plays on. He hears but is Willy’s tragic flaw is his unrealistic dreams.
flaw, a character not aware of it. (Act 1) They’re shown as negative when they’re
defect that leads linked with the negative character trait of
His temper, his massive dreams
to peripeteia. his temper. They control him
(Act 1)
subconsciously (represented by the flute),
I don’t have a thing in the ground until he leaves no legacy.
(Act 2)
Hubris Excessive pride of I did five hundred gross in Willy is hubristic - he sees himself as very
the tragic Providence and seven hundred important and even heroic. However, this
protagonist that gross in Boston is all delusional – he’s influenced by the
foreshadows the American Dream, believing that hard work
I got important contacts!
tragedy to come. will lead to success. He’s ashamed of his
What the hell are you offering me true status., and lies to convince others
a job for? (Act 1) and himself that he’s better than he really
is.
Anagnorisis The moment of He had the wrong dreams. All, all In the play, Biff has the moment of
realisation/ wrong. anagnorisis, not Willy. He realises the
epiphany for the flaws in Willy’s dream.
I know who I am, kid. (Act 3)
tragic
Willy himself doesn’t have this realisation,
protagonist.
but perhaps Ben could be seen as a
manifestation of Willy’s anagnorisis – he
tells Willy about his failures and
insecurities. But Willy believes Ben is real,
so doesn’t realise that it’s his own
subconscious realising his failures.
Peripeteia A change in I think you need a good, long rest. Willy losing his job is a change in fortune –
fortune that (Act 2) but it doesn’t lead directly to death, so is it
leads to the true peripeteia?
downfall of the
I’m tired to the death. I couldn’t He’s already defeated in his first few lines
protagonist from
make it. I just couldn’t make it. (Act – so no distinct peripeteia. He’s already
good to bad
1) had a downfall.
fortune.
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