ABSTRACT
Tragedy is a drama genre originated in Greek. For a long time, it is an accepted rule that the tragic hero must be the kings, nobles or protagonists with high rank. However, Miller states his unique view of tragedy, which both inheritates and develops the theory of traditional tragedy. That is, Arthur Miller breaks the mold of the formulaic tragedies of previous era since Aristotle and redefines that the common people are as apt a subject for tragedies in its highest sense as kings were. Typically, Miller’s tragic view is presented in his masterpiece—Death of a Salesman. On the basis of the traditional theory of tragedy, this essay aims at pursuing Arthur Miller’s unique view of modern tragedy embodied in Death of Salesman, which is both the inheritance and the development of the traditional theory of tragedy.
In this play, Miller fully practices his unique view of tragedy. In such parts as the drama structure, the use of symbolism and the characteristics of the protagonist, Miller follows the theory of traditioanl tragedy. However, he breaks the archaic theory and makes great develoment to the theory of modern tragedy in the following aspects: the subject matter, the tragedy causes and the ending enlightment.
Keywords:Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, tragedy, succession and development
Contents
1.Introduction 1
2.Traditional View of Tragedy 2
3. Miller's View of Tragedy 3
3.1 The Great Influence of His Early Experience on the Forming of Miller’s Tragic View 3
3.2 Arthur Miller’s Unique View of Modern Tragedy 4
4. Miller’s Inheritance and Development of Traditional Tragic View in Death of a Salesman 5
4.1 Miller’s Inheritance of Traditional Tragic View 5
4.1.3 Characteristics of Traditional Tragic Protagonist Embodied in Death Of a Salesman 8
4.2 Miller’s Development of Traditional Tragedy in Death of a Salesman 9
5.Conclusion 14
Acknowledgements 15
References 16