Tragic Heroes

[NYCSweetieNYC]

Hi,

I just read the outline of an essay I have to write. I have to compare Oedipus Rex (Sophocles) with Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman). How they were tragic heroes and what happened to them.

I have to discuss if Willy Loman fits the definition of a tragic hero. I have to write what Willy's tragic flaw was. And how has the Great Chain of being been restored in the play.

In Arthur Miller's essay on the definition of a modern tragic hero does Willy fit his definition?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Snukes]

Oedipus wasn't a tragic hero!!!

*jitters around mumbling about existentialism*

Sorry, that isn't very helpful. Uh... what's Miller's definition of a modern tragic hero?

[simon]

I agree with you on that Snukes, though there are Sophoclean and Euripidean heroes, and if you just use the writer as the indicator of what that is then I suppose the comparison could be made. Like Sophoclean heroes, if you can really call them that, are steadfast and never wavering in ther pursuit of something, such as their birth like Oedipus. But Euripidean heroes mock this standpoint and they proclaim that it is better to waver and have some doubt about the actions your commiting than blindly racing on. So in that respect you could say he was a "tragic hero". But honestly Oedipus was a tyrant, not a hero. He didn't listen to others, he jumped to conclusions, he blamed others, called them traitors, was arrogant and destroyed his whole family. If you want to call those the charactersitics of hero of, then you can, but only of a Sophoclean hero.

I'd like to hear Miller's definition as well, that would make it easier to help you out.