John Proctor Characteristics

John Proctor is considered to be a tragic hero {a person who dies to protect something/someone that he/she strongly believes in} in the play, the Crucible by Arthur Miller. Within him are the true characteristics of a hero. Mr. Proctor is a proud, well-liked, respectable member of his community. He is an honest, kind and outspoken man, but within him, he carries a dark, dirty secret, that of the adulterous affair with his household servant, Abigail (alliteration). In that time period the government was a “theocracy, a combine of state and religious power” and the Ten Commandments were part of the law (Miller pg. 6). John’s adultery with Abigail broke that law, leaving him to believe he must be siding with the devil and all his demons. During the Witch hunt John is …show more content…
He expresses the true characteristics of a hero, such as being an honest, kind and outspoken man. Exceeding the expectation of a hero, he stands up to Abby during the Witch Trials, even though the news of his adultery will maybe come out. He believes he is going to Hell for the sins he has committed and regardless of what he does, he will never be able to go to Heaven. In addition to his belief he now he opens himself up for the scorn of the community. Although Abby doesn’t mention the Adultery, John tells the judges in hope that they can understand Abby lies all the time. The judges don’t believe him, but before they can discipline John, Abby acts like Mary is bewitching her. For fear that she will die Mary claims John is bewitching her, so he goes to jail. After spending days in jail, he agrees to confess so he can be with his family again. Despite agreeing to confess he changes his mind when the judges plan to post the paper on the church door, since he wants his name to remain good. John dies to protect the innocent people, unknowingly redeeming himself and becoming a tragic