Recognition

• Recognition: Anagnorisis

  The concept of 'anagnorisis' has been at the heart of the debate on whether Death of a Salesman can be viewed as a tragedy.
• Aristotle

  • Aristotle categorised 'anagnorisis' as a moment of discovery which allows the tragic protagonist to move from ignorance to knowledge.
  • This concept has also been at the heart of the debate on whether Death of a Salesman can be viewed as a tragedy.
• Moment of discovery

  • For many commentators, Willy remains deluded until the end, never developing the self-knowledge required for a true tragic hero, never questioning his dream.
  • The moment where Biff breaks down after his final confrontation with Willy is perhaps the closest Willy comes to this moment of discovery: “Isn’t that – isn’t that remarkable? Biff – he likes me!”
• The moment is lost

  • But many have pointed out that, immediately after this epiphany (moment of discovery), Willy is once again lost in his dream of Biff’s impending success: “That boy – that boy is going to be magnificent!”
  • The moment of self-discovery is lost.
• Biff as the hero?

  • For critics such as C.W.E Bigsby, it is Biff who undergoes the true moment of discovery in the play.
  • He alone gains the self-knowledge he requires to break away from his father’s ideals.
  • As such, perhaps Biff is the true tragic hero of the play.