Comparing Death Of A Salesman and Hamlet :: comparison compare contrast essays

Death Of A Salesman Vs. Hamlet          Willy Loman and Hamlet, two characters so alike, though different.Both ar perfect examples of tragedy in literature, though for separatereasons and by distinct methods.  The definition of a tragedy, in anutshell, states that for a character to be considered tragic, he/she mustbe of high moral estate, fall to a level of catastrophe, induce sympathyand horror in the audience, and usually die, and in doing so, re-establishorder in the society.  Hamlet follows this to a T. Death of a Salesmandoes not fall within these set guidelines but is still considered tragicfor reasons, though different, somewhat mate those of Hamlets.         Hamlet, a rich young price of high moral estate suddenly has hisjoyous life ripped a management from him when his father, Hamlet Sr., suddenlypasses away.  Though to begin with thought to be of natural causes, it islater revealed to him th rough his fathers ghost, that dear old dad wasmurdered by his Step-Father, and also his Uncle, Claudius. Vowing revengeupon his Uncle/Dad, Hamlet begins to mentally screw up and eventually, is insuch a wild rage that he accidentally kills Polonious believing him to behis father. Hilarity ensues.         Ophelia, Hamlets love interest, commits suicide/dies (thats upfor debate elsewhere) aft(prenominal) going slightly mad from the impact of herfathers death, then Laertes, Polonius son, arrives on the scene enragedand ready to kill Hamlet for what hes done, and  just when you thoughtthings couldnt get some(prenominal) worse, unbeknownst to Hamlet, Claudius has beenplotting to kill him.  Talk about your bad days.         A duel takes place between Hamlet and Laertes where Laertes, usinga poison-tipped sword, cuts Hamlet, thus giving way for his impendingdeath.  Hamlet eventually gets hold of the sword and kil ls Laertes, thenkills King Claudius.  Just as the play ends, Hamlet takes his last breathof air, appoints Fortinbras Jr. as the new King of Denmark, and dies.         In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, a salesman who believedhimself to be a powerful man, has his life unravel before him as he loseshis job, his saneness and the respect of those around him.  Many years before,Willy had an affair.  This dirtied his appearance to his son Biff, thoughhis wife never found out.  Biff later went on to become a drifter of sorts,dabbling in one low-paying profession after another until finally settlingon a farm.         After Willy was fired, for being too old, too clunky or both,supposedly, Willy pretends hes still working and doesnt let his wife in