According to Aristotle, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” A tragic hero is defined by Aristotle as a hero who makes an error in judgement that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. Initially, the tragic hero is usually equal to if not worse than the common man, allowing the reader to identify with the hero. This also introduce pity into the play or story, which is an important part of a tragedy, because if the hero was already perfect, the reader would be angered with their fate or not care especially if they're made out to be better than the common man. On the other hand, if the hero was seen as evil or, in some cases, imperfect then the reader could feel as if he had gotten what he had deserved.
…show more content…
The children make accusations towards many of the townspeople, claiming that they partake in witchcraft. Among those accused is John Proctor, a strong and steadfast farmer and tavern keeper. John Proctor is an important character in the play because throughout the play, he is developed into the tragic hero of the tragedy. The main reasons that John Proctor is a tragic hero is that he is overall a good man, he commits a tragic flaw, and because of this flaw it leads to his own death in the end. Even though he is a hero and a good man, we see both good and evil in him, but ultimately he is fighting for not only himself, but everyone that accused of being a witch in Salem. John Proctor is the tragic hero of The Crucible, because he is a hero that makes one mistake, and it causes not only his death, but the death of many others around …show more content…
This tragic flaw conquers a man who has great leadership and skills, and eventually causes death once it has taken over completely. When faced with, what would turn out to be, a life or death situation, John Proctor choses the herotic thing to do. John Proctor refuses to sign his name on paper, saying that he is a witch until the day of his death, even though he could have easily confessed to being a witch and be set free. He could have easily signed his name away, but that would ruin the one thing that he had left at that point, his good name in the village. He knew that he had gotten himself into the situation he was in, and the only thing he could do at that point was be true to Elizabeth, his kids, but most importantly himself. You can see at the very end of the play that John and Elizabeth had both accepted John’s fate. This can be shown when Elizabeth says,”(supporting herself against collapse, gripes the bars of the window, and with a cry) He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (IV. 781-783). This line from the play perfectly shows how by the end of the play, not only is John Proctor at peace with taking responsibility for his affair with Abigail Williams and the consequences that would follow because of it, but so is
The children make accusations towards many of the townspeople, claiming that they partake in witchcraft. Among those accused is John Proctor, a strong and steadfast farmer and tavern keeper. John Proctor is an important character in the play because throughout the play, he is developed into the tragic hero of the tragedy. The main reasons that John Proctor is a tragic hero is that he is overall a good man, he commits a tragic flaw, and because of this flaw it leads to his own death in the end. Even though he is a hero and a good man, we see both good and evil in him, but ultimately he is fighting for not only himself, but everyone that accused of being a witch in Salem. John Proctor is the tragic hero of The Crucible, because he is a hero that makes one mistake, and it causes not only his death, but the death of many others around …show more content…
This tragic flaw conquers a man who has great leadership and skills, and eventually causes death once it has taken over completely. When faced with, what would turn out to be, a life or death situation, John Proctor choses the herotic thing to do. John Proctor refuses to sign his name on paper, saying that he is a witch until the day of his death, even though he could have easily confessed to being a witch and be set free. He could have easily signed his name away, but that would ruin the one thing that he had left at that point, his good name in the village. He knew that he had gotten himself into the situation he was in, and the only thing he could do at that point was be true to Elizabeth, his kids, but most importantly himself. You can see at the very end of the play that John and Elizabeth had both accepted John’s fate. This can be shown when Elizabeth says,”(supporting herself against collapse, gripes the bars of the window, and with a cry) He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (IV. 781-783). This line from the play perfectly shows how by the end of the play, not only is John Proctor at peace with taking responsibility for his affair with Abigail Williams and the consequences that would follow because of it, but so is