The Elder Scrolls 1 Arena has an issue where it freezes during loading the game at least 75% of the time where I have to force the game to close. Is this a common bug? I remember NEVER having this issue years ago, back when you had to setup your own configuration files and everything with DOSBOX. Is Windows 11 the issue here? I also tried to change the memory in the config file from 32 MB to 64 MB, but still doesn't help.

When you are like me and you die a LOT and have to reload your save in Arena, this gets to where the game is almost unplayable. Has anyone else had this problem and come across a fix?

Never happened to me, and it's not Win11-related. That it's a real Arena bug remains to be proven.
Could be a corrupt file (save or game file - more likely the latter). Try reinstalling the game (but backup your DOSBox conf file before doing it (if you edited it)).
Or install ArenaSetup, copy your save files over and see if it works there. Shouldn't make a difference, but you never know.

I can't comment on Galaxy-related issues, because I don't use it.

Thanks for the assistance. I had a Knight, but decided to start a mage instead. After I started a different character, luckily I have had no issues since then. Very strange bug!

Have fun with the mage!

But I repeat: It's very unlikely a bug of Arena. That you haven't had a problem with the mage (so far) is an indication for me that your initial problem could have been caused by a corrupt file indeed. If true, it could reappear later again (or not, depending on the corrupt file(s)).
Accept the risk, or make sure that your Arena installation doesn't contain corrupt files.