THE INDICTMENT OF AMERICAN DREAM IN DEATH OF A SALESMAN IN RESPONSE TO ARISTOTELIAN DEFINITION OF TRAGEDY

The character of Willy Loman will be under scrutiny. Aristotle has made several remarks about the definitions of drama, and tragedy as well; he sets down solid parameters about the „ideal‟ protagonist. Naturally, many have deviated from that character profile. Aristotle often makes clarification about the „elevated‟ position of his protagonists, and how the protagonist needs to have a tragic flaw “Hamartia” in order to set the stage for his grand downfall, as Aristotle believed that the only true form of drama was tragedy. Willy Loman is quite the painful thumb in this line of thought. His character completely lacks all the hallmarks of any sort of elevated position. His ideals aren‟t lofty, nor are his actions grand, but in this abnormality of his lies, greatness, ambitions, and his dreams. His inability to fulfill those dreams is sadly, his tragic flaw, and ultimately, his desire to manifest those dreams around him results in his downfall.