Death of a Salesman is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1949. The play follows the life of Willy Loman, a salesman who is struggling to come to terms with his failures and the disappointment of his family. Throughout the play, Miller introduces a number of other characters who play important roles in Willy's life and contribute to the overall theme of the play.
One of the main characters in Death of a Salesman is Willy Loman. Willy is a sixty-three year old salesman who is struggling to make ends meet and maintain his status as a successful salesman. Willy is deeply troubled by his failures and is haunted by the memory of his older brother, Ben, who achieved great success as a diamond merchant. Willy is also struggling with his relationships with his wife, Linda, and his two sons, Biff and Happy. Willy's delusions of grandeur and his inability to accept the realities of his situation lead to his tragic downfall.
Linda Loman is Willy's wife and the mother of Biff and Happy. Linda is a supportive and loving wife who is constantly trying to protect Willy from the harsh realities of his situation. Linda is also deeply concerned about the future of her sons and tries to encourage them to be successful in their own right. Despite her efforts, Linda is unable to prevent Willy's downward spiral and is left to pick up the pieces after his death.
Biff Loman is Willy's older son and the protagonist of the play. Biff is a former high school football star who has struggled to find his place in the world. Biff is deeply affected by Willy's disappointment and is torn between his desire to please his father and his own sense of self. Biff's inability to live up to Willy's expectations leads to a rift between the two men and ultimately contributes to Willy's tragic end.
Happy Loman is Willy's younger son and is often overshadowed by his older brother, Biff. Happy is a salesman like his father and is deeply influenced by Willy's delusions of success. Happy is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the success that eludes his father and is willing to overlook his own moral compass in the pursuit of his goals.
Charley is Willy's neighbor and friend who owns his own business. Charley is a successful man who has achieved the stability and security that Willy craves. Charley serves as a foil to Willy and serves to highlight Willy's failures and insecurities.
Ben is Willy's older brother who achieved great success as a diamond merchant. Ben appears to Willy in his dreams and serves as a symbol of the success that Willy was never able to achieve. Ben's appearances serve to further fuel Willy's delusions and contribute to his downward spiral.
Death of a Salesman is a powerful play that explores the themes of success, failure, and the American Dream. The characters of Willy, Linda, Biff, Happy, Charley, and Ben all play important roles in the development of these themes and contribute to the overall tragic arc of the play.