7.5.5

Mythological Figures

Test yourself on Mythological Figures

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Mythological Figures

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

__"Adonises”__

"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”__

“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

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.

1

Introduction

1.1

Introductions

1.1.1Author 1.1.2Historical Context 1.1.3Setting 1.1.4Social Issues

2

Act One

2.1

Key Events

2.1.1Staging 2.1.2Key Events 1&2 2.1.3Key Events 3&4 2.1.4Key Events 5&6 2.1.5Key Events 7&8 2.1.6Key Events 9&10 2.1.7Key Events 11&12

2.2

Key Themes & Literary Techniques

2.2.1Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings 2.2.2Family, Reality, Fantasy

3

Act Two

3.1

Key Events

3.1.1Key Events 1&2 3.1.2Key Events 3&4 3.1.3Key Events 5&6 3.1.4Key Events 7&8 3.1.5Key Events 9&10

3.2

Key Themes & Links

3.2.1Pride 3.2.2Metaphor 3.2.3Self-Realisation

4

Extended Passage Analysis

4.1

Act One

4.1.1Staging 4.1.2The Woman

4.2

Act Two

4.2.1In Howard’s Office 4.2.2The Final Confrontation 4.2.3The Requiem

5

Character Profiles

5.1

Willy & Linda Loman

5.1.1Willy Loman 5.1.2Linda Loman

5.2

Biff & Happy Loman

5.2.1Biff Loman 5.2.2Biff's Relationship with Willy 5.2.3Happy Loman

5.3

Other Characters

5.3.1Uncle Ben 5.3.2Charley 5.3.3Bernard

6

Key Themes

6.1

Concepts

6.1.1The American Dream 6.1.2Fathers & Sons 6.1.3Nature & the City 6.1.4Success 6.1.5Men & Women

7

Writing Techniques

7.1

Structure

7.1.1Act One 7.1.2Act Two

7.2

Realism

7.2.1Introduction 7.2.2Staging 7.2.3Language

7.3

Expressionism

7.3.1Introduction 7.3.2Staging 7.3.3Music

7.4

Symbolism

7.4.1The Garden / Seeds 7.4.2Diamonds 7.4.3Alaska & Africa

7.5

Motifs

7.5.1Introduction 7.5.2Cars 7.5.3Silk Stockings 7.5.4Money 7.5.5Mythological Figures

8

Historical Context

8.1

Historical Context

8.1.1Miller’s Family & The Great Depression 8.1.2America’s Recovery

9

Literary Context

9.1

Tragedy

9.1.1Introduction

9.2

Applying Tragic Concepts

9.2.1The Tragic Hero 9.2.2The Tragic Flaw 9.2.3Recognition 9.2.4Emotional Release 9.2.5Chaos & Disorder 9.2.6Revenge 9.2.7Inevitability

10

Critical Debates

10.1

Introduction

10.1.1Introduction

10.2

The Marxist Reading

10.2.1Marxist Analysis 10.2.2The Marxist Reading

10.3

The Feminist Reading

10.3.1Feminist Analysis 10.3.2The Feminist Reading

10.4

The Eco-Critical Reading

10.4.1Eco-Critical Analysis 10.4.2The Eco-Critical Reading 10.4.3Post-pastoral

10.5

Other Debates

10.5.1The Play as Tragedy 10.5.2The Critics

11

Recap: Main Quotes

Jump to other topics

1

Introduction

1.1

Introductions

1.1.1Author 1.1.2Historical Context 1.1.3Setting 1.1.4Social Issues

2

Act One

2.1

Key Events

2.1.1Staging 2.1.2Key Events 1&2 2.1.3Key Events 3&4 2.1.4Key Events 5&6 2.1.5Key Events 7&8 2.1.6Key Events 9&10 2.1.7Key Events 11&12

2.2

Key Themes & Literary Techniques

2.2.1Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings 2.2.2Family, Reality, Fantasy

3

Act Two

3.1

Key Events

3.1.1Key Events 1&2 3.1.2Key Events 3&4 3.1.3Key Events 5&6 3.1.4Key Events 7&8 3.1.5Key Events 9&10

3.2

Key Themes & Links

3.2.1Pride 3.2.2Metaphor 3.2.3Self-Realisation

4

Extended Passage Analysis

4.1

Act One

4.1.1Staging 4.1.2The Woman

4.2

Act Two

4.2.1In Howard’s Office 4.2.2The Final Confrontation 4.2.3The Requiem

5

Character Profiles

5.1

Willy & Linda Loman

5.1.1Willy Loman 5.1.2Linda Loman

5.2

Biff & Happy Loman

5.2.1Biff Loman 5.2.2Biff's Relationship with Willy 5.2.3Happy Loman

5.3

Other Characters

5.3.1Uncle Ben 5.3.2Charley 5.3.3Bernard

6

Key Themes

6.1

Concepts

6.1.1The American Dream 6.1.2Fathers & Sons 6.1.3Nature & the City 6.1.4Success 6.1.5Men & Women

7

Writing Techniques

7.1

Structure

7.1.1Act One 7.1.2Act Two

7.2

Realism

7.2.1Introduction 7.2.2Staging 7.2.3Language

7.3

Expressionism

7.3.1Introduction 7.3.2Staging 7.3.3Music

7.4

Symbolism

7.4.1The Garden / Seeds 7.4.2Diamonds 7.4.3Alaska & Africa

7.5

Motifs

7.5.1Introduction 7.5.2Cars 7.5.3Silk Stockings 7.5.4Money 7.5.5Mythological Figures

8

Historical Context

8.1

Historical Context

8.1.1Miller’s Family & The Great Depression 8.1.2America’s Recovery

9

Literary Context

9.1

Tragedy

9.1.1Introduction

9.2

Applying Tragic Concepts

9.2.1The Tragic Hero 9.2.2The Tragic Flaw 9.2.3Recognition 9.2.4Emotional Release 9.2.5Chaos & Disorder 9.2.6Revenge 9.2.7Inevitability

10

Critical Debates

10.1

Introduction

10.1.1Introduction

10.2

The Marxist Reading

10.2.1Marxist Analysis 10.2.2The Marxist Reading

10.3

The Feminist Reading

10.3.1Feminist Analysis 10.3.2The Feminist Reading

10.4

The Eco-Critical Reading

10.4.1Eco-Critical Analysis 10.4.2The Eco-Critical Reading 10.4.3Post-pastoral

10.5

Other Debates

10.5.1The Play as Tragedy 10.5.2The Critics

11

Recap: Main Quotes

Practice questions on Mythological Figures

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
Who does Willy say his sons are __"built like"__?Multiple choice
2
Who does Willy compare Biff to?Multiple choice

Answer all questions on Mythological Figures

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Money

Miller’s Family & The Great Depression