John Proctor Tragic Hero

When examining the character of John Proctor, the tragic hero of Miller's masterpiece, we see how every such figure has an encouraging future until some fatal flaw or lapse in judgement shrouds all of their actions, leading to their eventual demise. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, John Proctor is no exception to this statement; he succumbs to his death because of a failure in reasoning. Like many tragic figures throughout literature, his downfall stems from a deeply human flaw - what the ancient Greeks called hamartia.

In his constant effort to save his reputation after making a terrible mistake, he is the root of the deaths of many townspeople. Through Miller's masterful characterization, we see how Proctor's choices ripple through Salem's community. At the end of the play, John will suffer the inevitable consequences of his flaws. He comes to realize that his fate is his own fault. While many characters face difficult choices in The Crucible, it is John Proctor, tragic hero of the play, whose journey of mistakes, relatable hamartia, along with realizing he is the cause of his own death by a lapse in judgement, defines the heart of the story.

As we delve deeper into understanding John Proctor, tragic hero of Salem, his affair with Abigail Williams, who was once his servant, emerges as the ultimate mistake that leads to his deathly downfall. In Puritan culture, the crime of lechery is only second to witchcraft in the harshness of the consequences associated with each crime. Proctor is having a conversation in the upper room of Reverend Parris' house and tells Abigail, "Abby, you'll put it out of mind. I'll not be coming for you no more," when Abigail tries to convince Proctor that he still has feelings for her and does not love his wife anymore (Miller 1139). Like many who realize too late the gravity of their actions, he is trying in any way he can to get Abigail from coming at him in a romantic way. Proctor knows that if he lets the affair get too much further out, his life and moral, upright reputation could be at stake.

What makes John Proctor the true tragic hero of Miller's work is his conformality with his relatable hamartia of an error in judgement that was disastrous. In Puritanism, the consequences of lechery were unimaginable. Proctor knew this and willingly confessed to that crime in light of bringing Abigail's lies and deceit to a head. After Mary Warren reveals that she knows about the affair, she tells John, "I have known it, sir. She'll ruin you with it, I know she will.' Proctor, hesitating, and with deep hatred of himself: 'Good. Then her saintliness is done with'" (Miller 1181). This moment of self-loathing and determination perfectly captures the essence of a tragic hero's journey. Even after Mary Warren reminds Proctor that Abigail will 'ruin him with it,' Proctor still wants to bring to light Abigail's pretense. He knows he messed up, and he is willing to take the blame to save countless people from being hung.

Later in the play, John Proctor is talking to Francis Nurse. In order to prove that he is telling the truth, Proctor tells Francis Nurse, "A man will not cast away his good name" (Miller 1206). Proctor explains to Francis Nurse that he is being legitimate about his accusation under the reasoning that he wouldn't throw his good name away over a lie. He knows and understands that his fall occurs because of his actions. In this way, John Proctor embodies the classic tragic hero, fully conscious of his fatal flaws yet powerless to escape their consequences.

In examining John Proctor, tragic hero of Miller's masterpiece, we see that the definitive reason for his passing was his failure to comprehend the issues at hand when they occurred. He did not comprehend the gravity of his actions or how they would affect his future when he committed the sin of lechery. Elizabeth and John converse in Act II about John going to Salem and being alone with Abigail; John admits to Elizabeth that he cheated on her when he says, "But I wilted, and like a Christian, I confessed" (Miller 1164). In this crucial moment, Proctor is pleading with Elizabeth for her forgiveness and is telling her how sorry he is for what he did to her. He also reveals his knowledge of what he did, but it was not until after the fact that he really realized what he had done.

Later, when John ends up confessing to Judge Danforth, the head judge in the witchcraft trials, he states, "I have known her, sir, I have known her" (Miller 1206). In this line, Proctor is confessing to his sin of lechery. This confession marks the turning point where Proctor gives up his life and reputation. John knows his inability to understand his troubling issues is a complete purpose behind his passing, further characterizing him as a tragic hero.

Through the lens of John Proctor, tragic hero of The Crucible, Miller shows us how a single moral failing can set catastrophic events in motion. When Proctor commits the sin of lechery, he commits the action that will ultimately lead to his demise. Yet what elevates him from a mere fallen man to a true tragic hero is his willingness to face the consequences, confessing his crime to expose Abigail's lies and deceit. Even after Mary Warren reminds Proctor that Abigail will 'ruin him with it,' Proctor still chooses truth over self-preservation.

The ultimate reason for John's passing was his inability to grasp the issues at hand when they arose. He did not comprehend the enormity of his actions or how they would affect his future when he committed the sin of lechery. However, it is precisely this journey from blindness to understanding that cements John Proctor as the quintessential tragic hero in Miller's The Crucible - a flawed man whose final act of moral courage redeems his earlier failings.

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