The Crucible A tragic hero often pertains to a character that has a tragic flaw which usually leads to their tragic death. They cause the audience to mourn for them and the character usually has excessive pride. In “The Crucible” John Proctor’s character fits perfectly into the characteristics of a tragic hero. He was a well-known, respected and even feared man in the town he lived in. However he had a tragic flaw but him confessing leads up to his tragic death that causes the audience to feel sympathy.
Another reason their relationship is dangerous is that if John Procter were to prosecute against Abigail Williams saying that she is in fact a witch, Abigail Williams could very easily tell the entire town that she and Procter have been having an affair to get revenge on him. It wouldn’t really affect her too much, but on the contrary, it would ruin his reputation in the town and his relationship with his wife. Later in Act I, Abigail is being “interrogated” by Reverend Hale and she claims “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl!” (Miller 40) in this statement, Abigail is defending herself that she never sold herself to the devil.
The Crucible The theme jealousy can destroy lives is shown through the actions of Abigail Williams affects Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor and herself. “This can’t work anymore, I love someone else.” Hearing these words can affect many people’s lives, causing them to hurt others around them.” “The Crucible” was written in 1953 by Arthur Miller. The play is about the witch trials that took place in Salem Massachusetts; where many innocent people were accused of witchcraft. Abigail’s actions sent Elizabeth to jail, but also cause John his freedom and life. At the end of act four Proctor refuses to give his name to the court, he clearly stated that he had already gave himself in and told them that he was a man of the devil and that they couldn’t take his name, because that’s the only thing he had left.
Another characteristic that makes John Proctor a tragic hero is his tragic flaw and his final tragic death. All these characteristics make a tragic hero; John Proctor possesses all of them and therefore he is considered one. John Proctor was a tragic hero because he had a tragic flaw. His unfortunate flaw was that he had a physical attraction for someone other than his wife, this person was Abigail Williams. When his wife became sick he began to get emotions for her.
When the witch trials begin, Reverend Hale questions John and asks him to recite the Ten Commandments and misses one Commandment (ironically, the Commandment regarding adultery), and thus begins Proctor’s quest to prove himself not to be of the devil. Later on in the play, Proctor makes a false confession to save his life, however, he tears it up stating “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another name in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!” (Miller 143). The previous quote is important to Proctor’s crucible because it proves that he has failed his quest and has given in rather than continuing to try and prove he is not an associate of the
- He realizes Danforth will post confession on church door, so his reputation, his family and unborn child will be ruined. • Another, proclaims, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!” - Significant, will not allow Danforth to use him and ruin his honorable name. - Proctor continues, knowing twelve other innocents already been executed rather than confess to a lie. - Could save his life by an untrue statement of being involved in witchcraft.
This denouncement of Mr. Putnam brought down an accusation upon his wife. He then stands strong against the court and brings forth a deposition, written by him, to help him free his wife. Contained within this deposition was the testimony of an unnamed individual within the community pointing out Thomas Putnam’s malicious motives to accuse his neighbors of witchcraft and buy their land after they had had there land auctioned off by the local government. Danforth then turns to Giles and asks who this person was. With the knowledge that this innocent man would then be accused of witchcraft as well, the courageous Giles refuses to reveal this innocent man’s name.
Before the play even begins, the antecedent action includes Abigail and Proctor having an affair. Sex out of wedlock is a heinous crime and Abigail would be severely punished if ever found out, so the risk she takes tells of how starved she is for love. Similarly, Abigail continues to lust for Proctor even after the affair ends. In the seven months after she left the Proctor house, she convinces herself that Proctor does indeed love her. She makes herself believe that his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, stands in their way.
He confesses his sin of adultery, all with the intention to save the lives of those he knew to be innocent at the expense of his innocence before the court of Salem. At the end of the play however, John himself is accused of witchcraft, and is faced with another moral decision. He must either must lie, and confess to a sin that he did not commit (that of witchcraft) and have this lie posted on the church door, or die for the sin of witchcraft that he did not commit. John wrestles with his conscience over this choice, and in the end, chooses to die telling the truth - that he is an honest man who did not commit witchcraft and told the truth no matter the consequences. He says, “Because it is my name!
Because john stayed with his wife and didn’t, or couldn’t, leave her to be with Abby it drove Abby mad. She started this witch scare so she could call Goodie Proctor a witch and she would either be sentenced to death or put in jail. Today people get married and divorced within weeks. Weather this is a good or bad thing is your own opinion. In the crucible many people were branded as witches.