Willy Loman and John Proctor as Arthur Miller’s Tragic Heroe

Arthur Miller is a talented and well-known playwright. Over the years, he has produced many plays; each addressing different issues, time periods, and historical events. Two of his most well known works are Death of a Salesman and The Crucible. Miller states in his essay “Tragedy and the Common Man” that “the feeling is evoked in us when we are in his life, if need be, to secure one thing – his sense of personal dignity.” …

…hate, or disagree with him for it, the only “right” place for him is found in the truth. Willy Loman lives his life looking for the “right” place, living a lie. Both take pride in their integrity, dignity, and values. This pride, and self-righteousness, their pursuit and attempt to save there own personal dignity eventually leads to their tragic downfall. This allows both of them to fit Arthur Miller’s definition of a tragic hero.