What are physical, behavioral, moral, and motivational characteristics of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman?
mshurn Teacher College – Freshman eNotes Editor In Miller’s stage directions before Act One, he describes Willy as being more than sixty years old and “quietly dressed.” His most obvious characteristic in this opening scene is his physical exhaustion, which remains a part of his character throughout the play. Willy describes himself as being “fat” and “very foolish to look at.” Willy’s behavior is problematic as he slips further into depression and mental instability. He is subject to frequent and intense mood changes, and his temper flares easily. Emotional outbursts seem to come from nowhere, but they result from Willy’s intense feelings of pain, fear, and frustration.As he deteriorates mentally, he slips in and out of reality, losing himself in memories of the past. Willy is essentially a moral man. He feels responsibility for his family and worked hard to provide and maintain a home for his sons while they were growing up. After they grew up and left home, Willy continued to work h
