Tragedy and the Common Man In Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller contends the point that the common man is in fact an apt subject for tragedy. He goes on to prove his point as he discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man.: The first major standard of tragedy set forth is: “...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable that the mass of mankind should cherish tragedy above all other forms.” All persons, regardless of background, nobility stature, rank, or pretended or actual social division can innately empathize with the tragic hero. In the case of Willy L