2.2.5
Reality v Fantasy
Reality v Fantasy
Reality v Fantasy
Death of a Salesman and Richard II both feature protagonists who prefer to live in fantasy but are ultimately confronted by reality.
Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman
- As Miller says in the opening stage direction, “an air of the dream” pervades the Loman household and, in Act One, we have seen Willy retreat into fantasy when challenged by reality:
- “Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week”.
Richard II
Richard II
- In Richard II, the King surrounds himself with “flatterers” who only tell him what he wants to hear and, as a result, his reign is littered with mistakes which eventually lead to his own downfall.
Richard II cont.
Richard II cont.
- Likewise, Richard trusts in the divine right of Kings, chosen and anointed by God, to rule:
- “The breath of worldly men cannot depose / The deputy elected by the Lord."
- However, reality will intrude upon Richard.
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
Jump to other topics
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
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