The widely accepted definition of a tragic hero, a literary character who makes a judgement error that inevitably results in their destruction, was conceived by Aristotle. Aristotle's tragic hero must experience a flaw in judgement (hamartia), a reversal of fortune (peripeteia), and a realization that they caused their lot (anagnorisis); they ultimately receive a fate much harsher than deserved due to their hubris. John Proctor, the protagonist of Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible is this American tragedy’s tragic hero. Because John commits adultery in a rigid theocracy he suffers a dramatic fall in social status resulting in his death; thus, John Proctor is a by Aristotle's definition a tragic hero. Prior to the beginning of the play, it
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He went from having a typical puritanical life where everyone believed he was one of the predestined for heaven to rotting in jail because Abigail uses the hysteria of the crumbling theocracy for her personal gain. She has the Proctor’s current servant, Mary Warren, plant a poppet in the Proctor's home to validate the accusation that Elizabeth is a witch. John determines that his adultery lead to his wife’s imprisonment and attempts to tell the court to save Elizabeth. “God help me, I lusted and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, you must see it.” (110) His confession does not save him, but it tarnishes his name ironically when Elizabeth lies to the court to protect him. “She only thought to save my name.” (113)
Ultimately, John’s hubris destroys him. He is offered a release from jail and an escape from the gallows if he confesses to witchcraft. He can not give Judge Danforth his sign confession due to his excessive pride. “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!” (143). John is aware that he will face the noose. He accepts his fate exemplified in Elizabeth's line, “He has his goodness now, God forbid I take it from
He went from having a typical puritanical life where everyone believed he was one of the predestined for heaven to rotting in jail because Abigail uses the hysteria of the crumbling theocracy for her personal gain. She has the Proctor’s current servant, Mary Warren, plant a poppet in the Proctor's home to validate the accusation that Elizabeth is a witch. John determines that his adultery lead to his wife’s imprisonment and attempts to tell the court to save Elizabeth. “God help me, I lusted and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, you must see it.” (110) His confession does not save him, but it tarnishes his name ironically when Elizabeth lies to the court to protect him. “She only thought to save my name.” (113)
Ultimately, John’s hubris destroys him. He is offered a release from jail and an escape from the gallows if he confesses to witchcraft. He can not give Judge Danforth his sign confession due to his excessive pride. “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!” (143). John is aware that he will face the noose. He accepts his fate exemplified in Elizabeth's line, “He has his goodness now, God forbid I take it from