2021 - The mistakes made by tragic
protagonists always have terrible
consequences for those around them.
2021
‘The mistakes made by tragic protagonists always have terrible consequences for those around
them.ʼ To what extent do you agree with this view in relation to two texts you have studied?
Remember to include in your answer relevant comment on the ways the writers have shaped
meanings. [25 marks]
Willyʼs mistakes leading to a generational tragedy within Happy.
Willyʼs mistakes leading to Biff being primed for revolt under the capitalist system.
The mistake made by Tessʼs parents causing terrible consequences for Tess.
The mistake made by Angel causing terrible consequences for Tess.
Typical to tragedy texts, a key theme is tragedies having many victims acting as a chorus to the
catastrophe which befalls the tragic hero. However, in tragedy where the tragic villains actions
usually set about the ‘terrible consequencesʼ which occur resulting in the audiences catharsis,
focus on to what extent the ‘tragic protagonists own mistakes and actions have terrible
consequences for those around themʼ adds a different viewpoint to the text. In this essay I will
argue to what extent this is the case in ‘Death of a Salesmanʼ and ‘Tess of DʼUrbervillesʼ.
In the Requiem of Death of a Salesman as Biff accepts that his father “never knew who he was”
and “had all the wrong dreams”, Happy becomes angry “[almost ready to fight]”. He had a “good
dream”, he states, and “Iʼm gonna win it for him” demonstrating how Happy has also become
ideologically possessed by the same system which murdered his father. The “air of the dream”
which has dissipated in Biff still engulfs Happy, so he does not see the truth in the American
dream which is only available for a select privileged few in society. Through this it becomes
clear that Willyʼs youngest son (and arguably least favourite) is the most like him. Happy
appears to be a mirror of Willy through his place as the second brother, second to Biff as Willy
was second to Ben, therefore chases the same dreams as Willy. Ideas of a generational tragedy
can be seen within the ending of the play as it appears that Willy Lomanʼs ‘every-manʼ tragedy
will not end with him but will be repeated generationally. Through this representing how Willyʼs
mistakes in implementing ideology of “personal attractiveness” and charm in his sons; “be liked
and you shall never want”, has simply led to Happy being likely to reproduce the same fate as
Willy. The ending of the play through an analysis of Happy therefore seems emptying as we feel
afraid but also sympathy at the irony of his and Lindaʼs words “weʼre free” “free and clear.
Willyʼs actions have therefore led to terrible consequences in his family specifically in Happy
whose character seems to represent blind servitude to societal expectations.
protagonists always have terrible
consequences for those around them.
2021
‘The mistakes made by tragic protagonists always have terrible consequences for those around
them.ʼ To what extent do you agree with this view in relation to two texts you have studied?
Remember to include in your answer relevant comment on the ways the writers have shaped
meanings. [25 marks]
Willyʼs mistakes leading to a generational tragedy within Happy.
Willyʼs mistakes leading to Biff being primed for revolt under the capitalist system.
The mistake made by Tessʼs parents causing terrible consequences for Tess.
The mistake made by Angel causing terrible consequences for Tess.
Typical to tragedy texts, a key theme is tragedies having many victims acting as a chorus to the
catastrophe which befalls the tragic hero. However, in tragedy where the tragic villains actions
usually set about the ‘terrible consequencesʼ which occur resulting in the audiences catharsis,
focus on to what extent the ‘tragic protagonists own mistakes and actions have terrible
consequences for those around themʼ adds a different viewpoint to the text. In this essay I will
argue to what extent this is the case in ‘Death of a Salesmanʼ and ‘Tess of DʼUrbervillesʼ.
In the Requiem of Death of a Salesman as Biff accepts that his father “never knew who he was”
and “had all the wrong dreams”, Happy becomes angry “[almost ready to fight]”. He had a “good
dream”, he states, and “Iʼm gonna win it for him” demonstrating how Happy has also become
ideologically possessed by the same system which murdered his father. The “air of the dream”
which has dissipated in Biff still engulfs Happy, so he does not see the truth in the American
dream which is only available for a select privileged few in society. Through this it becomes
clear that Willyʼs youngest son (and arguably least favourite) is the most like him. Happy
appears to be a mirror of Willy through his place as the second brother, second to Biff as Willy
was second to Ben, therefore chases the same dreams as Willy. Ideas of a generational tragedy
can be seen within the ending of the play as it appears that Willy Lomanʼs ‘every-manʼ tragedy
will not end with him but will be repeated generationally. Through this representing how Willyʼs
mistakes in implementing ideology of “personal attractiveness” and charm in his sons; “be liked
and you shall never want”, has simply led to Happy being likely to reproduce the same fate as
Willy. The ending of the play through an analysis of Happy therefore seems emptying as we feel
afraid but also sympathy at the irony of his and Lindaʼs words “weʼre free” “free and clear.
Willyʼs actions have therefore led to terrible consequences in his family specifically in Happy
whose character seems to represent blind servitude to societal expectations.
