1. Death of a Salesman

Is the play a tragedy?
The main character Willy in "Death of a Salesman" is sometimes considered a tragic hero, which would make the play a tragedy. In considering it a tragedy, Willy’s tragic flaw would be his ability to talk ideas up more than they clearly were. For example, he considered himself big time as a salesman, and he often talked up Biff for football, and did not consider his schooling important. Because of football, he considered other things unimportant because this was going to get Biff anywhere in life. His habit is even inheritable to Biff especially as he goes to speak to Oliver about getting a job. Between Willy and Biff, they were able to believe that Biff was once a big worker there, and Oliver would do anything for him in the future. Because of this habit, Willy’s life had too many expectations that he could not meet. These expectations were sometimes beyond Willy’s actions. The death of Willy was ultimately his own fault. He expected to much because he wanted so much for he, and his kids. He also only added to his stress by living with the guilt of cheating on his wife. Willy’s death is his fault and no one else. He was the reason for his own tragic downfall.