Willy Loman Truly Tragic or Plainly Pathetic - 1581 Words

â€Å"The goat song† is the original meaning of the word â€Å"tragedy.† The word developed when men lined up to offer their goats as sacrifices to their gods. The goats they held or lead realized their fates and began bleating sorrowfully. They mourned that their lives were to be laid down for others; however, Willy Loman from â€Å"Death of a Salesman† gave up his life courageously. Arthur Millers character, Willy Loman, thought the only way he could help his family was to die. After much defeat Willy reflected on his life and said that he was of more value dead than alive (Miller 2173). Many arguments have been made about Willys character; is Willy truly tragic or plainly pathetic? Considering all the factors of Willys life that weighed upon him,†¦show more content†¦In his memory he told his boys, â€Å"Be liked and you will never want.† (2140). He drives into them that knowing people is better than doing well. Moreover, Willy Loman acted upon his beliefs in ways that set him up for failure. Willys loss of reality resulted from his mistakes. He caused himself to go insane because the effects of his decisions went askew. Further defining tragic flaw, Aristotle wrote, â€Å"The protagonist will mistakenly bring about his own downfall.† (3) Willy chose wrongly when he refused to go to Alaska with his brother Ben. He talked about his brother often in his flashbacks and how he, himself, could have went and made his fortune if he had followed Ben. He chose instead to be a salesman like the old popular salesman he once saw. He described the man to his boss, Howard, as a man who lived and died a salesman. Willy told him, â€Å"When he died, hundreds of salesmen and buyers were at his funeral† (2164). Therefore, Willy mistakenly continued to chase after his shallow dreams. Willys greatest mistake spurred from his desire to be affirmed of his handsomeness and greatness. Loman became involved in adultery with a sensua l woman who gave Willy the satisfaction of approval. The unnamed woman complimented him, â€Å"I picked you†, â€Å"youve got such a good sense of humor†, and â€Å"I think youre a wonderful man† (2142). He received much approval from her and relied on her when he was lonely. When Biff discovered Willys affair, Willy tried to explain, â€Å"I was