lped Willy through his struggles addressed Willys obsession with artificial success by telling Willy what kept him clear-minded. My salvation is that I never took any interest in anything.Perhaps the most obvious departure from tradition is that Willy Loman is not of noble stature and he doesnt fall from a great height as a tragic hero would. This concept is very important, while viewing a classic tragedy the audience is to experience a refreshing sense of human greatness and the potential it holds and, with it, experience a catharsis. This would be due to the tragic heros awe-inspiring downfall and the cosmic discovery he makes as a result of the acceptance of his downfall. This scenario is not present in Death of a Salesman since the nature of Willys pitiful downfall does not evoke human greatness or potential.Death of a Salesman clearly does not adhere to classic requirements yet it does have some elements that point towards the classic tragedy. While these common elements can be portrayed in seemingly very different ways classic views are much different than modern views. Willy Lowman could be a great human not in his noble stature and spirit but in pure emotion and good intentions. In Death of a Salesman fate and destiny are not depicted as they would be in a classic tragedy with gods and oracles as a participating force in the tragic heros downfall. It is portrayed through foreshadowing in the character's dialogue in a much more modern sense. After all, as a society we dont think the same as the Greeks did and this particular play is about a mans failure in todays modern society. Even though this play does not conform to traditional classic tragedy a pattern, a preordained cycle revolving around the family can be seen, much like the family curse in Oedipus Rex. The name Loman is suggestive that the family will never be high on the ladder just as the name Oedipus is suggestive that he will always drag his past behind him. The fami...
