Willy Loman Suffering

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In the play “Death of a Salesman” by the American playwright Arthur Miller, Willy Loman’s tragic character functions as the key plot element and the instrument of suffering for the other characters included within the story. The suffering brought upon others by his figure contributes to the entire tragic vision that embodies “Death of a Salesman”. The key examples of this tragedy are represented in the interactions Willy has with His son Biff, his wife Linda, and his younger son Happy.
Willy Loman’s son Biff grew up with a lot of respect for his hard working father. However, through the course of the story and revealing flashbacks, it is revealed that Biff has lost the respect that he used to have. Biff discovers his father with another woman in a hotel room and after that moment the relationship between the two was never the same. This loss of respect for the father that Biff had cherished in the passed could be part of the reason that Biff has struggled financially and no longer has a competitive edge in the business world. Also, after Willy’s mental deterioration had become undeniably apparent, Biff realizes that his father’s delusions are no longer something that he needs to be concerned with. The tragic …show more content…

Linda was always the nurturing character that cared for Willy along with her two sons. She has to deal with all of Willy’s antics such as him becoming easily angered and belligerent, his suicide attempts, and his fanatical ideas about becoming rich. All of these actions that Willy repeatedly does add on to the stress and anxiety that Linda has to bear. In addition to all of this, Linda has to deal with her suspicion of Willy having an affair all while she is providing for the family and being loyal to her husband. This whole situation ends up in Linda being in extreme stress during the play and becomes a tragic character in a lot of aspects thanks to

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