Free Essays on Comparing Oedipus And Death Of A Salesman

Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman† and Sophocles’s â€Å"Oedipus Rex† coincide in that they both are tragedies, the former being a modern tragedy, specifically set in twentieth-century America; meanwhile, the latter is much older, of ancient Greek origin. Despite the extensive time frame between the two plays, in creation and in setting, as well as the different societies to which they pertain, both works remain true to the genre of tragedy; thus, the two pieces can suitably be placed side by side and compared to one another. Willy Loman is the central character in â€Å"Death of a Salesman,† and Oedipus is his counterpart in â€Å"Oedipus Rex.† Both Willy Loman and Oedipus have characteristics in common, like the fact that they are both blind to reality; yet both remain distinct in their own ways, and it is precisely these differences, such as their honour, what draws the line of distinction between Oedipus being a hero and Willy Lom an being an anti-hero. Both Willy Loman and Oedipus suffer from a major flaw in their character, which is the primary factor in drawing the course of their respective fates. This flaw is blindness to reality. Willy Loman is incapable of discerning what is real from what is not. His paramount obsession with the American dream, which he has not achieved at his 60 years of age and will never achieve, causes him to seek solace in past memories while living in the present. This becomes evident by his flashbacks, like the one he experiences when Willy and Charley are playing cards and Willy begins to speak out loud referring to Charley as Ben, Willy’s brother: WILLY. I’m getting awfully tired, Ben. CHARLEY. Good, keep playing; you’ll sleep better. Did you call me Ben? WILLY. That’s funny. For a second there you reminded me of my brother Ben. (Miller 1718) Willy is unable to perceive the harshness that surrounds his situation, not unlike Oedipus, who is blindfolded by t... Free Essays on Comparing Oedipus And Death Of A Salesman Free Essays on Comparing Oedipus And Death Of A Salesman Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman† and Sophocles’s â€Å"Oedipus Rex† coincide in that they both are tragedies, the former being a modern tragedy, specifically set in twentieth-century America; meanwhile, the latter is much older, of ancient Greek origin. Despite the extensive time frame between the two plays, in creation and in setting, as well as the different societies to which they pertain, both works remain true to the genre of tragedy; thus, the two pieces can suitably be placed side by side and compared to one another. Willy Loman is the central character in â€Å"Death of a Salesman,† and Oedipus is his counterpart in â€Å"Oedipus Rex.† Both Willy Loman and Oedipus have characteristics in common, like the fact that they are both blind to reality; yet both remain distinct in their own ways, and it is precisely these differences, such as their honour, what draws the line of distinction between Oedipus being a hero and Willy Lom an being an anti-hero. Both Willy Loman and Oedipus suffer from a major flaw in their character, which is the primary factor in drawing the course of their respective fates. This flaw is blindness to reality. Willy Loman is incapable of discerning what is real from what is not. His paramount obsession with the American dream, which he has not achieved at his 60 years of age and will never achieve, causes him to seek solace in past memories while living in the present. This becomes evident by his flashbacks, like the one he experiences when Willy and Charley are playing cards and Willy begins to speak out loud referring to Charley as Ben, Willy’s brother: WILLY. I’m getting awfully tired, Ben. CHARLEY. Good, keep playing; you’ll sleep better. Did you call me Ben? WILLY. That’s funny. For a second there you reminded me of my brother Ben. (Miller 1718) Willy is unable to perceive the harshness that surrounds his situation, not unlike Oedipus, who is blindfolded by t...

The Difference Between Works Cited and Bibliography

The Difference Between and Bibliography The citation of sources prevents plagiarism, helps a professor fact-check an essay or paper for accuracy, and can aid the student in finding information if they decide to return to a certain source in the future. Most everything written or published in the higher academy is cited. The citation of sources prevents  plagiarism, helps a professor fact-check an essay or paper for accuracy, and can aid the student in finding information if they decide to return to a certain source in the future. Learning the importance of citing sources is something any and every student should learn wholeheartedly and always embrace because, at the college or university level, it is a fact of life. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY EXAMPLES However, with the overwhelming bombardment of information and terminology in higher education, it can be a challenge doing things the correct way – and can get very confusing.  This certainly applies to a writing assignment requiring a student to cite the sources they have used, referred to or encountered in compiling information and writing an essay or research paper. A page and Bibliography are perfect examples: the two are often used interchangeably, mean close to the same thing, yet have entirely different purposes, meanings,  and implications. The Bibliography Bibliographies, which are mostly found at the end of a book or published an academic  article, are a list of the books or other articles referred to in a scholarly work – and are not merely a simple paper, essay or research paper written by an undergraduate. Usually printed as an appendix, bibliographies provide an overview of what has been published on a topic. Some bibliographies are annotated, meaning they include a brief summary of each work’s contents and explain how it was relevant in writing about the subject of the paper. A bibliography is an ideal starting point for the student looking to conduct research on a specific topic or range of topics.  However, some professors may require their students to make a list of all the sources that informed the student writing the paper – those that may have  lead the student to other, more recent sources. In this case, a bibliography may be best. The The , often referred to as the â€Å" Page,† is a separate page at the end of a student’s essay or research paper; it lists the sources they used in the writing and completing their assignment – whether they used information in direct quotes, rephrased summaries, the incorporation of data and general information, like statistics. Whenever a student borrows legitimate information from any reputable source (anything that is not common knowledge: â€Å"the capital of Thailand is Bangkok†), that information needs to be cited in MLA style. This list should be alphabetized by authors’ last names – or by editors’ or translators’ names – and should have â€Å"† as a centered heading. In many cases, one’s professor may read the student’s page first to get a feel for the kind of effort put into the assignment. FOOTNOTES VS. ENDNOTES Student, keep in mind!  In the event, a student is not sure which exactly their professor prefers – works cited, bibliography or an annotated bibliography – that student should talk with their professor; rather than risk getting a low grade, it is best they inquire early on in getting an assignment.