How is Willy Loman an ambiguous character, and why is his moral ambiguity significant to the work as a whole?

If we consider Willy Loman separate and apart from the social influences of the American era in which he came of age and the American era in which he grew old, failed in business, and died, he still remains an ambiguous personality. Willy truly believes he loves his wife, but he treats Linda very shabbily. He depends upon her to prop up his faltering ego and absolve him from responsibility for his actions. Biff correctly points out that Willy has always treated Linda as a doormat. Willy sees no contradiction in abusing someone he loves because he does not recognize the abuse. When Biff discovers Willy's adultery, Willy is shattered--not because he has betrayed his wife, but because he has lost his son's respect. Willy loves Linda, but gives no thought to her feelings when he considers suicide and then kills himself.

Willy believes he loves Biff, but he is quick to criticize, condemn, and dismiss him in sarcastic and bitter outbursts. The man who loves his son is the one who denigrates him without mercy.

Willy believes he is a good man who has been a loving husband and father, unaware of the ambiguities in his own character. Looking at him with some sympathy, it could be said that he does the wrong things for what seem to him to be the right reasons, which brings the drama back to its examination of the values of American society. Willy Loman is developed as more than the product of his society, however. Psychologically, his is a complex, contradictory, and flawed human personality.