John Proctor As A Tragic Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Pitiful Proctor In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the protagonist, John Proctor, is a prime example of a tragic hero. A tragic hero is defined as a prideful and well-respected character that goes through an unfortunate downfall. John Proctor embodies all of the traits of the traits of a tragic hero, including his respect in the community, his pride, and his death. John Proctor was a leading figure of the Salem community during The Crucible. “He was the kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered, and not easily led- who cannot refuse support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment. In Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly...” (1269). Proctor served as a voice of reason and when he agreed with something, it
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I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (1356). John put himself on a higher pedestal than other members of the society, which is ironic because he has a sin darker than most. He has had an affair with Abigail behind his wife’s back, which shows John’s pride and selfishness in its own way, and continues to prove his qualities of a tragic hero. John’s pride and dishonesty is what ultimately bring about his downfall. “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth: I am no good man.” (1352). John’s decision to keep his adultery a secret in order to save his reputation ended up hanging him in the long run. He thought telling the court would put a stop to the witch trials, but it ended up making him look like a liar under oath, which was a hangable crime. These choices due to his excessive pride are what complete the tragic hero that is John Proctor.
In conclusion, John Proctor has all the right parts that make up a tragic hero. He is a person of respect and honor, but has hubris which leads to his demise. John Proctor had more than one opportunity to put aside his reputation and change his fate, both in admitting his sin and signing his name, but each time he refused. This makes his true nature even more evident and confirms that John Proctor is a tragic
I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (1356). John put himself on a higher pedestal than other members of the society, which is ironic because he has a sin darker than most. He has had an affair with Abigail behind his wife’s back, which shows John’s pride and selfishness in its own way, and continues to prove his qualities of a tragic hero. John’s pride and dishonesty is what ultimately bring about his downfall. “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth: I am no good man.” (1352). John’s decision to keep his adultery a secret in order to save his reputation ended up hanging him in the long run. He thought telling the court would put a stop to the witch trials, but it ended up making him look like a liar under oath, which was a hangable crime. These choices due to his excessive pride are what complete the tragic hero that is John Proctor.
In conclusion, John Proctor has all the right parts that make up a tragic hero. He is a person of respect and honor, but has hubris which leads to his demise. John Proctor had more than one opportunity to put aside his reputation and change his fate, both in admitting his sin and signing his name, but each time he refused. This makes his true nature even more evident and confirms that John Proctor is a tragic