Comparing Oedipus And Death Of A Salesman

6 Pages 1559 Words

Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” and Sophocles’s “Oedipus Rex” coincide in that they both are tragedies, the former being a modern tragedy, specifically set in twentieth-century America; meanwhile, the latter is much older, of ancient Greek origin. Despite the extensive time frame between the two plays, in creation and in setting, as well as the different societies to which they pertain, both works remain true to the genre of tragedy; thus, the two pieces can suitably be placed side by side and compared to one another. Willy Loman is the central character in “Death of a Salesman,” and Oedipus is his counterpart in “Oedipus Rex.” Both Willy Loman and Oedipus have characteristics in common, like the fact that they are both blind to reality; yet both remain distinct in their own ways, and it is precisely these differences, such as their honour, what draws the line of distinction between Oedipus being a hero and Willy Loman being an anti-hero.

Both Willy Loman and Oedipus suffer from a major flaw in their character, which is the primary factor in drawing the course of their respective fates. This flaw is blindness to reality. Willy Loman is incapable of discerning what is real from what is not. His paramount obsession with the American dream, which he has not achieved at his 60 years of age and will never achieve, causes him to seek solace in past memories while living in the present. This becomes evident by his flashbacks, like the one he experiences when Willy and Charley are playing cards and Willy begins to speak out loud referring to Charley as Ben, Willy’s brother:
WILLY. I’m getting awfully tired, Ben.
CHARLEY. Good, keep playing; you’ll sleep better. Did you call me Ben?
WILLY. That’s funny. For a second there you reminded me of my brother Ben. (Miller 1718)

Willy is unable to perceive the harshness that surrounds his situation, not unlike Oedipus, who is blindfolded by t...