Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman as Epic Tragedy Essay -- Death Sal

Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman as Epic Tragedy Aristotles Poetics defines the making of a dramatic or epic tragedy and presents the general principles of the construction of this genre. Surprisingly, over the centuries authors have remained remarkably close to Aristotles guidelines. Arthur Millers twentieth century tragedy Death of a Salesman is an example of this adherence to Aristotles prescription for tragedy. It is significant to test Aristotles explanation and requirements of tragedy by comparison and contrast, against a contemporary tragedy and to make observations with regard to what influence society and culture may have on the genre. This countersign however, will be confined to the realm of plot and the more notable aspects of the construction of the incidents in tragedy because of the complexity of this element. Aristotles attention throughout much of Poetics is direct towards the requirements and expectations of plot. Plot, the soul of tragedy, Aristotle says, mu st be an imitation of a noble and complete action. In Death of a Salesman, Miller does provide a complete action, that is it has what Aristotle identifies as a beginning, a middle, and an end. These divisible sections must, and do in the case of Death of a Salesman, meet the criterion of their respective placement. Whether Miller provides a nobel action, however, is an issue of culture. Willy Loman in the long run takes his own life so that his son Biff may benefit from the insurance money that he will receive. The question then, is according to our culture is his felo-de-se noble? Since Willys suicide is perpetrated for Biffs benefit, one could view this act as sacrifice. Sacrifice is in our culture, a pious and admirable quality, one of... ...ath of a Salesman Twentieth century Literature. January, 1972. 19-24. Rpt. in World Literary Criticism. Ed. Frank Magill. Arthur Miller Detroit Gale Research, 1992. 2366-2368. Hayman, Ronald. Arthur Miller. New York Frederick Ungar, 1972 . Hoeveler, D. J. Bens Influence. Arthur Miller?s Death of a Salesman Modern Critical Interpretations. Ed. Harold Blum. Philadelphia Chelsea House, 1988. 72-81. Magill, Frank. Death of a Salesman. Master Plots. Englewood Cliffs Salem, 1976. 1365-1368. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York Penguin, 1949. ---. Conversations With Arthur Miller. Jackson Mississippi UP, 1987. Parker, Brian. Point of View in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman. Arthur Miller A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Robert Corrigan. Englewood Cliffs Prentice Hall, 1969. 98-107.