An old proverb once said " tis not the path to hell, but hell itself that is paved with good intentions". Indeed, good intentions were what lead the people of Salem Village to act as irrational as they did when they falsely accused innocent God-fearing people of witchcraft. It was good intentions that turned they good-hearted holy people of Salem to cold-blooded murders. Good intentions were also what lead to the downfall and eventually the execution of John Proctor in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
             John Proctor was a simple farmer in the beginning of the play. He had not always been the perfect husband or father, but at this point in time he was trying to amend. The plot of the play thickens as the reader finds out more about John Proctor, especially the fact that Proctor was guilty of lechery. He becomes a key figure in the play when he tries to discredit Abigail Williams and fails.
             His personal character is steadfast in belief and creed. However the same cannot be said for other people's opinion of him. This is mostly apparent in the character of Reverend Paris and Reverend Hale. In the beginning they were suspicious of Proctor. They thought that he was the devils advocate, so to say. As time progresses their opinion of him changes. When Abigail, the ringleader of the girls who started the accusations, leaves town they pretty much assume it is all a sham. The rest of the play they try to save Proctors and all the other condemns lives.
             Proctor was viewed as a respected man in the community by all except those previously mentioned. His wife also treated him with a tinge of hatred. This is understandable because of his affair with Abigail. When he was found guilty of being in league with the devil, the court and some people in Salem lost all respect for him.
             The attempts made by the two Reverends at the end of the play almost worked. John Proctor was ready to confess to committing a crime that he d...