A Comparison of Death Of A Salesman and Hamlet :: comparison compare contrast essays

A Comparison of Death Of A Salesman and critical point         Willy Loman and Hamlet, two characters so alike, though different.  Both are hone examples of tragedy in literature, though for separate reasons and by distinct methods.  The definition of a tragedy, in a nutshell, states that for a character to be considered tragic, he/she mustiness be of high moral estate, fall to a level of catastrophe, induce sympathy and horror in the audience, and usually die, and in doing so, re-establish order in the society.  Hamlet follows this to a T. Death of a Salesman does not fall within these set guidelines but is still considered tragic for reasons, though different, somewhat parallel those of Hamlets.         Hamlet, a rich young price of high moral estate suddenly has his joyous life ripped away from him when his father, Hamlet Sr., suddenly passes away. Though originally design to be of natural causes, it is la ter revealed to him through his fathers ghost, that dear old dad was murdered by his Step-Father, and also his Uncle, Claudius. Vowing revenge upon his Uncle/Dad, Hamlet begins to mentally falter and eventually, is in such a wild rage that he accidentally kills Polonious believing him to be his father. Hilarity ensues.         Ophelia, Hamlets love interest, commits suicide/dies (thats up for debate elsewhere) after spillage slightly mad from the impact of her fathers death, then Laertes, Polonius son, arrives on the scene enraged and ready to kill Hamlet for what hes done, and  just when you thought things couldnt get any worse, unbeknown to Hamlet, Claudius has been plotting to kill him.  Talk about your bad days.         A duel takes place between Hamlet and Laertes where Laertes, using a poison-tipped sword, cuts Hamlet, thus giving way for his impend death. Hamlet eventually gets hold of the sword and kills L aertes, then kills King Claudius.  Just as the play ends, Hamlet takes his last breath of air, appoints Fortinbras Jr. as the immature King of Denmark, and dies.         In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, a salesman who believed himself to be a powerful man, has his life unravel before him as he loses his job, his sanity and the esteem of those around him.