ARTHUR MILLER & Η ΜΕΙΖΩΝ ΕΛΛΑΣ!
Επισκόπηση AI
Arthur Miller, a renowned American playwright, drew significant inspiration from classical Greek tragedy, particularly the works of Sophocles. He admired the structure and form of Greek plays, even when unfamiliar with the specific mythological details. Miller's plays, like Death of a Salesman and The Crucible, often feature tragic heroes, dramatic irony, and themes of fate and free will, echoing the conventions of Greek tragedy. He also adapted the concept of the chorus, using an implicit narrator to provide background and commentary, as seen in The Crucible.
Here's a more detailed look at the Greek connection:
Influence on Tragic Structure:
Miller's plays, like Death of a Salesman, feature a tragic hero whose flaws lead to their downfall, a common element in Greek tragedy.
Themes of Fate and Free Will:
Miller's characters grapple with forces beyond their control, mirroring the ancient Greek exploration of fate and destiny, while also acknowledging the role of individual choices.
Use of Chorus:
In The Crucible, Miller employs a narrative device similar to the Greek chorus, providing commentary and context to the unfolding events.
"Tragedy and the Common Man":
Miller's essay argued that tragedy could apply to ordinary individuals, not just those of high social standing, broadening the scope of the genre from its classical roots.
Adaptation of Classical Elements:
Miller combined his own storytelling style with elements from Greek tragedy to create gripping and thought-provoking narratives
https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/.../classical-influences
Miller's Classical Influences
Posted on: April 16, 2019
by Roundabout Theatre
During the 1930s—Arthur Miller’s formative years as a young playwright—social realism was popular on American stages, largely due to the the Federal Theatre Project (for whom Miller worked as a staff playwright) and the Group Theatre. Miller was moved to write plays that grappled with contemporary social and economic issues; however, with his breakthrough hit All My Sons (1947), and later in Death of A Salesman (1949), he also used elements of classical theatre, especially Greek tragedy and the plays of Henrik Ibsen. Such influences allow his plays to transcend their specific social milieus, having universal resonance for American and international audiences alike.
Greek Tragedy and the Common Man
“The quality in such plays that does shake us, however, derives from the underlying fear of being displaced, the disaster inherent in being torn away from our chosen image of what or who we are in this world. Among us today this fear is as strong, and perhaps stronger, than it ever was. In fact, it is the common man who knows this fear best.”
— Arthur Miller
In 1949, shortly after the premiere of Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller wrote an essay called “Tragedy and the Common Man.” He asserted that while the subjects of Greek tragedy were traditionally characters of high societal rank (like Oedipus the King), tragedy could and should address the concerns of the common man. Miller, who had come of age during the Depression, was concerned with the psychological and social conflicts of ordinary people. In the years after World War II, he explored how tragedy could speak to average Americans who were grappling with their place in the world and struggling with self-judgement. Miller’s updated vision of tragedy was secular and social: while the ancients saw their tragic heroes in conflict with the Gods or the forces of Fate, Miller pitted his common-man heroes against societal forces, such as capitalism (in All My Sons and Death of a Salesman) or McCarthyism (in the allegory of The Crucible). Miller’s ability to apply a tragic perspective gave his plays an epic quality. While the Kellers and Deevers of All My Sons may seem like unexceptional, “common” Americans, their tragedy transcends the individual suffering of a single community and connects to the overarching human experience.
Miller's Tragic Heroes
“...the tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing — his sense of personal dignity.”
— Arthur Miller
Ever since Aristotle set out to describe the rules and conventions of tragedy in his Poetics, the definitions of a tragic hero have been subject to debate. For Aristotle, the tragic flaw (hamartia) was an inherent personality defect that led an otherwise exceptional person to their downfall. Miller was interested in the hero’s “inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity, his image of his rightful status.” Miller’s ordinary heroes lay down their lives to preserve their integrity and fight the oppressive forces in their society. Nevertheless, according to critic Raymond Williams, they are also brought down by aspects of their own personalities. Williams coined the term “liberal tragedy” for the way Miller represented “a man at the height of his powers and the limits of his strength, at once aspiring and being defeated, releasing and destroyed by his own energies.”
Ibsen and Miller
International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management (IJHSSM)
Volume 5, Issue 3, May-June, 2025, pp: 407-410 ISSN: 3048-6874
www.ijhssm.org
| Impact Factor value 7.52 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified ‘Journal Page 407
The Impact of Greek Tragedy on Arthur Miller’s Plays https://ijhssm.org/.../The%20Impact%20of%20Greek...
Arthur Miller and HELLENISTIC connection
Επισκόπηση AI
Arthur Miller's work is deeply connected to ancient Greek tragedy, with his plays often reflecting a modern take on classic themes of human dignity, social responsibility, and the consequences of individual actions. He studied and adapted works by Ibsen, and drew inspiration from the structure and themes of Greek tragedy, particularly the works of Sophocles. Miller's plays, like The Crucible and Death of a Salesman, explore universal human experiences and moral dilemmas, echoing the timeless nature of Greek dramatic tradition.
Here's a more detailed look at the connections:
Influence of Greek Tragedy:
Tragic Hero:
Miller's plays feature characters who grapple with profound moral conflicts and often face downfall due to their actions or flaws, similar to the tragic heroes of Greek drama.
Social Commentary:
Like Greek tragedians, Miller uses his plays to comment on societal issues, exploring themes of justice, responsibility, and the consequences of individual choices on the community.
Universal Themes:
Miller's works resonate with audiences because they delve into fundamental human experiences, such as the search for meaning, the struggle for dignity, and the impact of societal pressures, all of which are central to Greek tragedy.
Specific Examples:
The Crucible:
This play, inspired by the Salem witch trials, mirrors the hysteria and accusations of ancient Greek tragedies, using the setting as an allegory for McCarthyism and the dangers of mass hysteria.
Death of a Salesman:
This play explores the tragic consequences of the American Dream, examining the protagonist's flawed character and the impact of societal pressures on his life and family.
Other Plays:
Miller's other works, such as All My Sons and A View from the Bridge, also engage with themes of responsibility, guilt, and the consequences of individual actions, echoing the moral complexity found in Greek tragedies.
Miller's Connection to Hellenistic Period:
While the Hellenistic period specifically refers to the era after Alexander the Great, Miller's engagement with Greek drama goes beyond a specific historical period. He was influenced by the entire body of Greek tragedy, which includes works from earlier periods like the classical period (e.g., Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus). The Roundabout Theatre Company highlights how Miller's work transcends specific social contexts and resonates with audiences due to its exploration of universal human experiences and moral dilemmas, much like the enduring power of Greek tragedy.
In conclusion: Arthur Miller's work is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient Greek tragedy, with his plays often reflecting a modern interpretation of classic themes and dramatic structures. His exploration of human nature, social responsibility, and the consequences of individual actions, resonates with the timeless qualities of Greek tragedy.
Henry Miller: On friendship, light and a paradise lost in Greece
PHOTO: (Left) Miller with L. Durrell, Corfu 1939 (right) Miller with George Katsimbalis
Henry Miller and the ‘Light of Greece’
Henry Miller, the author of Tropic of Cancer and one of the greatest American writers, was enamored with Greece, and his favorite, self-authored book was a travelogue of the country he loved.
The Colossus of Maroussi is an impressionist travel book written in 1939 that reads like an ode to Greece and the time the author spent there.
ΒΙΒΛΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ
https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/about/our-blog/classical-influences?fbclid=IwY2xjawMUzRZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBKa25vZzRidWR2Zzg3emxlAR7Bkd7YYqTFBbXJPq0EKlR8ph30qq3ATYft7C_8C1eE9NLl2EahyATo_FHxog_aem_Ynz3iOXxECDJnjEX0N7paA
Roundabout Theatre. 2019. "Miller's Classical Influences," <https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/about/our-blog/classical-influences?fbclid=IwY2xjawMUzRZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBKa25vZzRidWR2Zzg3emxlAR7Bkd7YYqTFBbXJPq0EKlR8ph30qq3ATYft7C_8C1eE9NLl2EahyATo_FHxog_aem_Ynz3iOXxECDJnjEX0N7paA> (22 August 2025).
https://ijhssm.org/issue_dcp/The%20Impact%20of%20Greek%20Tragedy%20on%20Arthur%20Miller%20s%20Plays.pdf
XXXX. 2025. "The Impact of Greek Tragedy on Arthur Miller s Plays," International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management (IJHSSM) 5 (3), pp. 407-410.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325346050_The_Idea_of_Tragedy_in_Arthur_Miller's_The_Crucible_and_A_View_from_the_Bridge
Hanyue Li. 2018. "The Idea of Tragedy in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and A View from the Bridge," English Language and Literature Studies 8 (2), pp. 115-120.
https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/henry-miller-on-friendship-light-and-a-paradise-lost-in-greece/
Lina Syriopoulou. 2018. "Henry Miller: On friendship, light and a paradise lost in Greece," GREEK News Agenda, <>
https://greekreporter.com/2025/05/22/henry-miller/
Philip Chrysopoulos. 2025. "Henry Miller and the ‘Light of Greece’," Greek Reporter,
Henry Miller
Henry Miller on the Greek island of Hydra. Credit: Monozigote/Wikimedia Commons Y-SA 4.0
Henry Miller, the author of Tropic of Cancer and one of the greatest American writers, was enamored with Greece, and his favorite, self-authored book was a travelogue of the country he loved.
The Colossus of Maroussi is an impressionist travel book written in 1939 that reads like an ode to Greece and the time the author spent there.
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Επισκόπηση AI
Arthur Miller had a significant connection to Greek culture through his adaptation of ancient Greek tragedy for modern, “common” protagonists and by incorporating elements like the chorus and a sense of inevitable fate. He was also influenced by his Greek friends and intellectual connections, like the poet George Seferis and the novelist Henry Miller, who admired Greek literature and society, according to Greek News Agenda.
Influence on his work
Tragedy for the common man: Miller redefined tragedy in his 1949 essay, "Tragedy and the Common Man," by arguing that tragedy could apply to ordinary people, not just the high-ranking heroes of ancient Greece. His plays often pit characters against societal forces like capitalism or McCarthyism instead of the gods, a secular and social update on Greek tragedy.
Use of the chorus: Miller used the device of a Greek chorus in his plays, such as The Crucible and A View from the Bridge. He employed an implicit, omniscient narrator, similar to the Greek chorus, who provides background information and comments on the action.
Themes and structure: His work is infused with themes of fate and free will, with tragic protagonists facing an unavoidable destiny, similar to ancient Greek tragedies. Plays like All My Sons and Death of a Salesman explore hubris and the downfall of flawed characters.
Personal and intellectual connections
Friendship with Greek intellectuals: Miller was friends with many prominent Greek figures, including poet George Seferis and novelist Henry Miller.
Inspiration from Greece: Miller found inspiration in his experiences in Greece, particularly from his friends and their conversations about the country. He credited these experiences and friendships with shaping his worldview and creative output, according to Greek News Agenda.
Shared admiration for Greek culture: Miller's admiration for Greek culture was evident in his personal and professional life, which was influenced by his deep appreciation for the works of great Greek writers and thinkers.
https://ijhssm.org/issue_dcp/The%20Impact%20of%20Greek%20Tragedy%20on%20Arthur%20Miller%20s%20Plays.pdf
2025. "The Impact of Greek Tragedy on Arthur Miller's Plays," International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management (IJHSSM) 5 (3), pp. 407-410.
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Επισκόπηση AI
Greek tragedy influenced Arthur Miller by shaping his concept of the tragic hero and their struggles, the use of dramatic techniques, and the exploration of universal themes like fate versus free will. Miller adapted the classical form, most notably by arguing the "common man" could be a subject of tragedy, not just kings, and by applying this to modern, social conflicts such as those in Death of a Salesman and The Crucible.
Tragic hero: The common man
Adaptation of the tragic hero: Miller redefined the tragic hero to be an "everyman" rather than a king, as detailed in his essay "Tragedy and the Common Man".
Modern conflicts: His heroes confront societal and psychological forces like capitalism, the pressures of social climbing, and political McCarthyism instead of divine or cosmic ones.
Quest for dignity: The tragic hero's ultimate struggle is often for personal dignity, self-worth, and to find their place in a flawed world, as seen with Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.
Themes and structure
Fate and free will: Miller explores the classic Greek tension between fate and free will, though he frames it within social and personal circumstances rather than divine destiny.
Catharsis: Like Greek tragedy, Miller's plays are intended to create a cathartic experience for the audience, leading to a purging of emotions like pity and fear.
Chorus function: In plays like The Crucible and A View from the Bridge, Miller uses a narrative or "choric" figure to provide background, comment on the social and historical context, and guide the audience through the unfolding tragedy.
Impact on Miller's plays
Social commentary: By applying a tragic lens to ordinary people and their struggles, Miller makes his plays both epic and relatable, connecting individual suffering to broader human experiences.
Moral questioning: His works force audiences to examine moral questions and the choices individuals make when confronting overwhelming social pressures and personal failings.
Timelessness: The adaptation of Greek tragedy's powerful structures and themes allows Miller's works to remain relevant, exploring timeless questions of justice, responsibility, and the human condition through a modern, American context.
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https://epub.lib.uoa.gr/index.php/parousia/article/download/185/pdf_128
Εθνικόν και Καποδιστριακόν Πανεπιστήμιον Αθηνών
https://epub.lib.uoa.gr › download › pdf_128
PDF
από Μ Κουτσουδάκη · 1987
Koutsoudaki, M. 1987. "A View from the bridge by Arthur Miller," Παρουσία (ΕΚΠΑ), pp. 157-162.
— Arthur Miller is one of the twentieth century playwrights who is greatly concerned with the universality of Greek tragedy and its application to contemporary ..
Μαρία Κουτσουδάκη, Ψηλά από τη Γέφυρα τού Αρθουρ Μίλλερ:
μια τραγωδία για όλες τις εποχές
Το Ψηλά από τη Γέφυρα (1955), ένα από τα «κοινωνικά θεατρικά» τού Αρθουρ Μίλλερ, φανερώνει την ιδιότυπη προσωπική εκτίμηση της αρχαίας ελληνικής τραγωδίας από το συγγραφέα. Στις σημειώσεις του αναφέρει ότι το έργο «πρέπει να είναι μια αναπροσαρμογή του Ελληνικού μύθου που χτυπά μια παλιά θαμμένη καμπάνα στο υποσυνείδητό του».
Τόσο η θεματική αναφορά στο μύθο όσο και η τεχνική δομή επιβεβαιώνουν την ελληνική ταυτότητα του έργου. Η φωνή του χορού, συγκεντρωμένη σε ένα από τα πρόσωπα, υπογραμμίζει τη δύναμη των εξωτερικών δυνάμεων που προσδιορίζουν τη μοίρα του ανθρώπου. Χαρακτηριστικό της τραγικότητας του ήρωα είναι πως η υποταγή στα πάθη του επιδρά καταστροφικά όχι μόνο στον ίδιο, αλλά και στο άμεσο και έμμεσο κοινωνικό περιβάλλον που τους γραπτούς και άγραφους νόμους του οφείλει να σέβεται.
Ο Μίλλερ προσαρμόζει με δικό του τρόπο την καθολικότητα και διαχρονικότητα τού αρχαίου δράματος σε καταστάσεις και προβλήματα της εποχής μας. Ο πρωταγωνιστής του δεν είναι ο ημίθεος ή ευγενής της αρχαίας ελληνικής τραγωδίας, αλλά ένας απλός βιοπαλαιστής που το αναπόφευκτο της συμμετοχής του στα κοινά τον κάνει να διαφέρει από τα κοινωνικά απομονωμένα άτομα που κυριαρχούν στο θέατρο τού εικοστού αιώνα.
researchgate.net/publication/396679578_ARTHUR_MILLER_E_MEIZON_ELLAS?_sg=L2IbXeq8AvogfTeKuGN3gT-o6rkSiffjD6WBZ4UoauoLUz-sgTx1LznYyEAUbr5Wp-tYBTnLGl5smeiVnocl9Bhw0anvHktW3cXHL88w.hbaUtZ9rK8l7XQ6IIIRk1CZ5hNhly3FVys4OYrR-oX6RG70PyAVai63OjNKWsiVNI2S-tCVfLD51Sh8zBTvKPw&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoicHJvZmlsZSJ9fQ
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