Tragic Hero

Tragic Heroes

In the three works, Hamlet, Oedipus Rex and Death of a Salesman, each hero represents a different means of defining the tragic hero. Arthur Miller's definition of the tragic hero is obviously better suited for Willy Loman, protagonist of Death of a Salesman as he was the author whereas Aristotle's definition was actually based on the character of Oedipus from the play. Hamlet fits somewhere in between the two definitions, fitting some of both criteria and escaping definition in many areas.

Beginning with Oedipus as the classical definition of a tragic hero, many traits seem to stand out as more significant than others. Oedipus' ignorance of his position plays a major role in the play Oedipus Rex, indicating that Aristotle could not have accepted a tragic hero who was aware of their own flaws. Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman fits this criterion, being dangerously unaware of the hopelessness of his position whereas Hamlet seems to actually be more aware of his position than the majority of the other characters are of theirs. Oedipus also fits the bill in that he has the crucial tragic flaw. Oedipus' over-confidence makes him ignorant of his situation, leading to his eventual downfall. Willy Loman, too, possessed this one tragic flaw in his obsession with what he considered to be success. Hamlet, again in this scenario, differs from the other two protagonists, not because he has no flaw but rather because he has several. Hamlet admits to Ophelia that he is, "proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at/ my beck than I have thoughts to put them in," (III, i, 132-133). It is perhaps this number of flaws that makes Hamlet such a convincing character, and yet his knowledge of these flaws almost seems to reduce their severity. Regardless, Hamlet does, again, stand out as being similar, but slightly varied when compared to the other two protagonists. There is, however, one area in which Hamlet and Oedipus share common ground, and it is in their social stature. Both Hamlet and Oedipus are royalty in their respective territories, although Hamlet does not fall from his social ladder as Oedipus does but rather is given a royal and honourable funeral. Willy Loman is, without a doubt, the outsider in this respect, as he is the perfect representation of the common man and his struggle involves a fight to step up in society rather than to keep his standing.

Willy Loman is similar to Oedipus in the sense that both characters were idolized as the perfect tragic hero (by Arthur Miller for Willy and by Aristotle for Oedipus). Willy Loman does, however, represent a completely different kind of tragic hero, with similarities to both Oedipus and Hamlet. Willy is, as mentioned above, similar to Oedipus in his ignorance of his current situation. Willy, however, is ignorant of a personal flaw, which he imposes upon others, whereas Oedipus is ignorant of past events over which he had no control. Hamlet and Willy do share common ground as well, despite many obvious differences between the two. The most significant similarity between Hamlet and Willy exists in their desire to fulfill what they believe is a natural order. Hamlet feels as though the murder of his father was 'unnatural' and that it is his duty as Prince to restore order to the country. Willy also feels as though his position is unnatural and sees it as his duty to escalate himself in the business world until he feels he has achieved what he deserves or, if he cannot achieve success for himself, he feels it is his duty to at least ensure that success for his children. Willy shares similarities with both Oedipus and Hamlet with respect to his tragic flaw. Willy is, for the most part, unaware of his major flaws, but does at times seem to realize some of his minor flaws in a manner almost identical to that of Hamlet, "I don't know why I can't stop myself I talk too much. A man oughta come in with a few words... I'm fat. I'm very foolish to look at" (Miller 37) Willy does, however, stand alone in his social standing. Willy is the only one of the three protagonists who does not have the mixed blessing of being royalty. Although both Oedipus and Hamlet foster good rapports with the common people, neither is pitied, as Willy is, by those around them.

Finally, Hamlet