John Proctor Tragic Hero Essay

Tragedy is a common concept that many main characters in stories go through. In The Crucible John Proctor experiences a catastrophic event where both his wife, him, and many of the towns people are accused of witchcraft. Before Proctor was accused he had an affair with a girl named Abigail. Proctor’s doesn’t tell anyone until he’s confronted with questioning where he confesses. Proctor’s desire to keep a good name within the community is what ultimately brings upon his downfall. This many seem like the story of a tragic hero, but he doesn’t fit all of the criteria. John Proctor doesn’t qualify as a tragic hero because although he possesses some of the characteristics he doesn’t possess them all.
One trait of a tragic hero that Proctor does …show more content…
Proctor doesn't want anything to do with their affair anymore, “But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again.”(22). Proctor’s wife knows about the affair and Proctor won’t let it happen again. He is afraid of anyone else in the town knowing because it would tarnish his good name which he has so much pride over. After Proctor has been in prison for months being tortured he has a chance to either die or make a false confession. He signs the paper of his false confession but then rips it up saying,” Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!”(133). He’s upset that the town must be able to see his name on an official document confessing to a lie. He want to die with a clean name which is what he has the most pride over.
In the end Proctor experiences the greatest loss; he loses his life. It is a hard choice for him to make with his pregnant wife next to him, but he still makes it. He chooses to tear up the document which would’ve saved him from being hanged(133). He chooses this decision because his wife is, to his knowledge, is going to also die after their child is born. Knowing that death approaches for him and his wife causes an enormous deal of pain and suffering for him before he