Tragedy in Literature

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the theme of tragedy is analyzed in relation to "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare and "Death of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller. The paper describes how in many ways, the psychological character flaws within Willy and Hamlet reflect a saddening demise to essentially good men. They both exhibit a tendency to rise above their station, but there is usually no consistency or rationale for their self-destructive behaviors.

From the Paper:

"This study will analyze the theme of tragedy within "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare and "Death of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller. By realizing the often noble and courageous beliefs of Hamlet and Willy Loman, they invariably do not have the ability to overcome their own personal weaknesses. In the noble Hamlet, one can find psychological madness and isolation as a tragic perspective; as one can find in the self-destructive tendencies of Willy Loman in Miller's tragedy. In essence, the personality flaws found within these two characters often reflects a saddening and `tragic' fall of good men that seek to rise above their station in life. The play "Hamlet" is similar in how usurpation of power is a clear motivation for Hamlet's love for his father and family.

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