The Crucible's Tragic Hero

John Proctor proclaimed that he did not go to Church, an act the court and townspeople viewed as a revolt on the supremacy of God, because the Reverend Parris was corrupt. Although, John Proctor did not truly defy authority in that scene of the play, for he told the truth and his wife lied, he challenged control in many other aspects. He grappled with authority, for Proctor was not one to listen to authority simply because it was the excepted thing to do. ” When Proctor believed that he was a man of no decency, he chose to live by confessing witchcraft, since this lie fit his personality. Proctor’s decision to ultimately choose a death of honor over a life of shame was the major reversal of the play. h’s soul was twisted, for revealing the truth could destroy her husband’s reputation, but lying meant breaking her solemn oath to God.

John Proctor showed that he was a tragic hero through his struggles within the play. He struggled with his sin of adultery, for it caused breaks in his bond between him and his wife. Through Elizabeth’s support, this tragic hero saw the goodness he possessed and acted upon it by reversal and by choosing an honorable death.

John Proctor’s sudden change was a major crisis in the play, and from this stemmed his catastrophe. Because she was noble to her husband, Elizabeth chose to lie and save her husband, but perhaps condemn herself to hell for such a sin. The catastrophe revealed the tragedy and integrity of John Proctor, making his character a tragic hero, for he accepted his death with silence and showed a capacity for suffering.

The court jailed Proctor; Elizabeth Proctor’s selfless act backfired. He followed his soul, a lesson that everyone should learn, rather than following a particular human being (or monster Osama Bin Laden) and or group. Parris was materialistic and cared more about the sake of his reputation than the health of his own daughter.