John Proctor is the tragic hero of “The Crucible” as Arthur Miller gives him many positive traits, but he also had a darker side to his otherwise pure nature. His affair with Abigail Williams, leading to his eventual fatal downfall as well as the downfall of others as a result of one action. However, he was very willing to at least reverse the effects of his actions to save others around him, even if it meant he had to die for it. The more shocking reality is that these events were factual. The righteous nature of John Proctor to always seek the truth and denounce those who abuse their given powers is none more evident as he exposes the corruption that existed in Salem.
This explains why Miller would choose to make John Proctor a modern hero, as opposed to the classic hero. Whereas traditional tragic heroes such as Oedipus or Hector would seem too ideal, a more American character with whom the audience can relate to better would inspire more empathy. Also, the reason that Arthur Miller chooses not to make John Proctor’s fate inevitable could be that by giving John Proctor a final chance at redemption, Miller is also trying to show the sacrifice that he made himself. Proctor’s fate is a result of his choices and his sins, but he chooses to meet his end with dignity and loyalty towards his friends, just as Miller felt he was
Proctors action s reveal his inner strength. For example, when John tears his testimony he is giving his life away. Proctor action’s not common because he is a brave man who cares about his family. In Salem no body else would have dared defy authority because they are afraid to die by the injustices of the town. John Proctor choose to go against the judge s orders for the reputation of his family can be ruin because of his action.
Juanita Umana English 1 – C 4/5 Tragic Character Journal 9 October 2012 Essential Question What is a tragic character, and is John Proctor one? Quote Bank: * “The man who on the one hand is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls because of some mistake; one among the number of the highly renowned and prosperous”(Aristotle on Tragic Character 1202) * “Evoked in the common man when a character is ready to lay down his life-his sense of personal dignity… [the common man] is trying to gain his “rightful” place in society” (Arthur Miller Tragedy and the Common Man 1982) * “The common man knows fear best”(Arthur Miller Tragedy and the Common Man 1983) * “ Tragedy consist of the belief-optimistic, in the perfectibility of man” (Arthur Miller Tragedy and the Common Man 1984) * “God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor?”(Miller 127) * “I think it is honest…I am no saint” (Miller 127) * “You have made your magic now…I do see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (Miller 133). Response: A tragic character is almost always the protagonist of the story. This character has specific characteristics such as nobility or aristocracy, tragic flaws, some kind of reversal in fortune and the realization of the characters own flaws working against him.
Socrates was a martyr in that he didn’t want to escape the punishment awaiting him, because he believed that Civil Disobedience would be a much more effective way for his legend to live on. Jesus as well, knew death was awaiting him, but felt he would serve humanity for his followers, by
Though at the time of the bad decisions, Creon believes he was doing what is best for Thebes, his stubbornness and pride prevents him from being a good leader. Because of his decisions he loses the lives of his niece, Antigone, his son, Haemon, and his wife, Eurydice. But his failures are not in vain; Creon is a different man at the end of the play. Although it takes a great deal of suffering for him to realize his faults, he becomes a better man and a better leader because of
But, he died a hero so he had no regrets. The fact that Beowulf feels such a great pull to have a good reputation, so much that he is willing to die for it, clearly proves this cultural value shaping his life. However, these two examples are need based fights—the villages needed a hero to save them from the monsters. Beowulf also tries to strengthen his reputation by challenging his friend to a swimming race. He is so influenced by the culture around him that he is willing to “risk his life for no reason but the danger” just so his reputation will get better (Raffel 39).
He is honest, brave, and faithful to his family. He travels in the sea where his father was lost, who great man and more experienced than him. He preferred to be dead rather than staying safe but humiliated by the suitors. Moreover, he confronted the suitors with his intentions, though he was helpless and too young to debate with them. He told the suitors that they are not qualified for taking the kingship, because they are not capable of defending
Additionally, a hero must be able to make decisions benefitting the majority and not just themselves. However, Odysseus is not a hero because he is cowardly, disloyal, and self-centered. One reason that makes Odysseus not a hero is his cowardly actions. A true hero is recognized for their fearlessness and bravery in times of trouble; however, when Odysseus visits the underworld his true emotions are exposed. Seemingly
And this is precisely the morality of tragedy and its lesson. The discovery of the moral law, which is what the enlightenment of tragedy consists of, is not the discovery of some abstract or metaphysical quantity. (miller, common man) His problem is that he has so completely accepted the values of his society that he judges himself by standards rooted in social myths rather than human necessities. This lack of insight is strikingly similiar to traits of the tragic hero. As Aristotle’s writes, the tragic hero, “Lives for honor and fame”.