Modern playwrights argue that such depiction is nearer to life as our life is a mixture of good and bad fortunes.
The performance of a Greek tragedy was a religious affair while English tragedies may intend to instruct or touch upon a religious or ethical issue but their main objective is to entertain.
Oedipus The King.
The tragedy that exists in Oedipus is that of the classical tragic hero wherein the plot presents a reversal of fortune in the life of a renowned person, a king in this case. This misfortune is caused by hamartia, a term originating from the Ancient Greek which refers to a fatal weakness or moral flaw in the main character that brings them to a bad end, referred to as a "tragic flaw". It is also caused by his hubris, commonly translated as "outrageous behavior," involving deliberate transgressions against moral or divine law (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013). .
Oedipus was a true tragic hero. As an audience, we gain an emotional connection to Oedipus. We respect his character because of his nobility and his intelligence shown at the Sphinx. As we learn of the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, we fear what may become of him. His tragic flaw forces the audience to fear for him, without losing all respect because it is a mistake or error rather than an innate flaw. It is his lack of knowledge that brings to light this tragic flaw. Finally, Oedipus' downfall produces a great sense of pity from the audience. By blinding himself Oedipus achieves a kind of ancillary death that deepens his suffering. As a result, Oedipus is figuratively dead, for he receives none of the benefits of the living. Oedipus receives the worst of both worlds between life and death, and he receives greater pity from the audience.
Death of a Salesman.
In Miller's rendition of a tragedy, we see a much different kind of tragic protagonist. One that deals with the plight of an ordinary man, where tragedy does not originate from your status or achievements, but the way you counter the uncertainty and chaos in a harsh competitive world.
