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

Arthur millers close of a Salesman as Epic Tragedy Aristotles Poetics defines the do of a dramatic or epic cataclysm and presents the general principles of the body structure of this genre. Surprisingly, over the centuries authors brook remained remarkably close to Aristotles guidelines. Arthur Millers twentieth century tragedy expiration of a Salesman is an example of this adherence to Aristotles prescription for tragedy. It is significant to evidence Aristotles definition 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 discussion however, will be confined to the realm of fleck and the more notable aspects of the construction of the incidents in tragedy because of the complexity of this element. Aristotles caution throughout much of Poetics is directed towards the requirements and expectations of plot. Plot, the soul of tragedy, A ristotle says, must be an sham of a terrific 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 severable sections must, and do in the case of Death of a Salesman, meet the monetary standard of their respective placement. Whether Miller provides a nobel action, however, is an issue of culture. Willy Loman ultimately takes his own career so that his son Biff may benefit from the insurance capital that he will receive. The question then, is according to our culture is his suicide 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 coke 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 F rederick 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.