Pride

• Willy’s tragedy is in part caused by his pride. Pride also plays a role in the downfall of other tragic heroes in the AQA Aspects of Tragedy component.
• Even though Willy is prepared to borrow money from Charley, Willy refuses his offer of a New York job and a guaranteed fifty dollars a week:

  • “I - I just can’t work for you, Charley”.
• Willy does not explain himself further but Charley puts his stubbornness down to jealousy of his success.
• Willy’s decision not to accept a job from Charley means that, by the end of the play, Willy only has the proceeds of his life insurance policy left.
• Tess of the D'urbervilles

  Pride also plays a role in the downfall of other tragic heroes in the AQA Aspects of Tragedy component.

  For example in Hardy’s novel, Tess’ pride stands in the way of her asking for help from Angel’s family, leaving her vulnerable to Alec.
• Richard II

  Shakespeare’s Richard II is led astray by his own pride.

  He ignores the sound advice of others and wrongly believes that, as “God’s substitute”, he is safe from challenges to his throne.
• Lamia:

  In Keats’ Lamia, Lycius’ pride leads him to denounce Apollonius when his former tutor reveals Lamia’s secret, leading to the final tragedy.