Mythological Figures

• Mythological Figures

  In his most optimistic (or deluded) moments, Willy borrows from Classical mythology in order to describe his sons.
• "Adonises”

  • Willy is thrilled by the idea of the Loman Brothers partnership and assures his sons they are “both built like Adonises”, the ancient Greek symbol of male beauty.
• “Hercules”

  • Elsewhere, he compares Biff to “Hercules”, the Roman God famed for his strength.
  • Willy also uses cosmic imagery associated with the ancient Gods, calling Biff a “star”.
• Irony

  • These motifs help to elevate (raise up) these characters in order to give them a more heroic status (Biff himself uses similar language in calling his father a “prince”).
  • However, they may have been used ironically by Miller as we, the audience, see Willy’s boys in a much more realistic light.