Here are some questions to get you thinking about the intersections between Oedipus the King and Death of a Salesman. These are to help lead you to a possible thesis statement.
• What characteristics do Oedipus and Willy share? In what ways are they different?
• Are both Oedipus and Willy tragic heroes? Why or why not?
• Are the falls of Oedipus and Willy self created or do the other characters contribute in some way?
• What roles have Oedipus and Willy created for themselves? Are these roles different or do they share some similarities? How are these roles challenged by the events in the plays?
• What are the two plays saying about free will/choice and fate/outside influence?
• What do you think the intended effect on the audience is for these two plays?
• Do both plays have the classic elements of tragedy, such as reversal of fortune and recognition?
• What are these two plays saying about the nature of truth? About our ability to know truth?
• How does the staging of these two plays differ? What are some possible reasons for these differences?
• The plots of these plays differ in the specifics, but are the overall structures of the plots the same? How so?
• What world views do these two plays represent?
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