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John Proctor

Character analysis.

the crucible character analysis essay john proctor

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Proctor's Problem(s)

Meet John. (Hi, John!) He cheats on his wife, he can't remember the entire ten commandments even though he goes to church pretty much every week, he's more stubborn than a mule, and he's angry pretty much 100% of the time. He's also... our hero.

John Proctor, The Crucible 's protagonist, has some major issues. But we can see why. Back in the day, he had everything your average Puritan man could want: a farm to ceaselessly toil upon, three sons to discipline, and a wife to make a home with. Proctor was a stand-up guy who spoke his mind. Around town, his name was synonymous with honor and integrity. He took pleasure in exposing hypocrisy and was respected for it. Most importantly, John Proctor respected himself.

Huh. What could possibly go wrong?

Enter: Abigail, the play's antagonist. This saucy young housekeeper traipsed in to John's life (while Mrs. Proctor was super ill, btw) and, before he knew it, his good life was bad, bad, bad. John made the mistake of committing adultery with her. To make things worse, it was also lechery (Proctor was in his thirties and Abigail was just seventeen—yuck). All it took was one shameful encounter to destroy John's most prized possession: his self-respect. When we first meet John Proctor halfway through Act I, we discover a man who has become the thing he hates most in the world: a hypocrite. He is caged by guilt. The emotional weight of the play rests on Proctor's quest to regain his lost self-image, his lost goodness. In fact, it is his journey from guilt to redemption that forms the central spine of The Crucible . John Proctor is a classic Arthur Miller hero: a dude who struggles with the incompatibility of his actions with his self-image. (Willy Loman of Death of a Salesman , Eddie Carbone of A View From the Bridge , and Joe Keller of All My Sons all have similar issues.)

Why the Fall?

Adultery? Lechery? John, what got into you?

Well, apparently John's wife Elizabeth was a little frigid (which she even admits), and when tempted by the fiery, young Abigail, John just couldn't resist . Elizabeth was sick while Abigail was working for the Proctors, so she probably wasn't giving her husband much, erm, attention.

But probably the cause of John's transgression is much deeper than base physical reasons. It's also quite possible that John Proctor was attracted to Abigail's subversive personality. Miller seems to hint at this in the first scene where we see them together. Abigail tells John that all the hullabaloo about witches isn't true. She and the other girls were just in the woods having a dance party with Tituba. Miller writes:

PROCTOR, his smile widening: Ah, you're wicked yet aren't y'! […] You'll be clapped in the stocks before you're twenty. (I.178)

The key clue here is the stage direction. It seems to indicate that Proctor is amused and charmed by Abigail's naughty antics. This would be in keeping with his personality. We see him challenging authority, from Parris to Danforth, throughout the play.

Man of Action

John Proctor is a passive protagonist; for the first two acts, he does little to affect the main action of the play. (Read more on this in our "Character Roles" section.) By the time Act III rolls around, however, he's all fired up. Spurred by his wife's arrest, he marches off to stop the spiraling insanity of the witch trials—and hopefully regain his own integrity in the process. Proctor goes to court armed with three main weapons. There's Abigail's admission to him that there was no witchcraft. Also, he has Mary Warren's testimony that she and the other girls have been faking everything. Last (but not least) he's prepared to admit that he and Abigail had an affair. This would stain her now saintly reputation and discredit her in the eyes of the court. Between the wily machinations of Abigail and the bullheadedness of the court, all of these tactics fail. John only ends up publicly staining his good name and getting himself condemned for witchcraft. Even though John doesn't achieve his goals of freeing Elizabeth and stopping the overall madness, he does take two significant steps toward regaining self-respect in Act III. One: he doesn't stop fighting the false accusations even after he finds out that Elizabeth is pregnant and therefore safe for a while. He feels a greater duty to his community and proceeds anyway. Two: by openly admitting his adulterous lechery, he is no longer a hypocrite. He has publicly embraced his sin. In Act IV, Proctor conquers the final hurdle on his path to redemption. This is no easy task; he stumbles a bit along the way. In order to save his life, he is tempted into admitting that he is indeed in league with the Devil. He justifies this lie to himself by saying that he's a bad person anyway, so what's the difference? At least this way, he'll be alive:

PROCTOR, with great force of will, but not quite looking at her: I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth. [...] What say you? If I give them that?

ELIZABETH: I cannot judge you, John. (Pause.)

PROCTOR, simply—a pure question: What would you have me do?

ELIZABETH: As you will, I would have it. (Slight pause.) I want you living, John. That's sure.

PROCTOR: It is a pretense, Elizabeth [...] I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. She is silent. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before. [...] Spite only keeps me silent. It is hard to give a lie to dogs. (IV.188-200)

Yup: John's having a pity party and you're not invited.

However, when he's asked to actually sign his name, John refuses. The act of putting his name to paper is just too much. By signing his name he would have signed away his soul. Though he would have saved his life, goodness would've been forever out of his reach. With this final valiant act, John Proctor comes to a kind of peace with himself. He says,

"I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs." (IV.298)

By the end of the play, our Johnny has finally achieved his goal: he's bucked the system, stood up to the Man, and saved his tarnished good name.

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'The Crucible' Character Study: John Proctor

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Arthur Miller drew inspiration from Greek tragedies in his plays. Like many of the storylines from Ancient Greece, " The Crucible " charts the downfall of a tragic hero: John Proctor.

Proctor is the main male character of this modern classic and his story is key throughout the play's four acts. Actors portraying Proctor and students studying Miller's tragic play will find it useful to learn a bit more about this character.

Who Is John Proctor?

John Proctor is one of the key characters in " The Crucible " and can be considered the leading male role of the play. Because of his importance, we know more about him than almost anyone else in this tragedy.

  • 30-year-old farmer.
  • Married to a pious woman: Elizabeth Proctor .
  • Father of three boys.
  • Christian, yet dissatisfied with the way Rev. Parris runs the church.
  • Doubts the existence of witchcraft.
  • Despises injustice, yet feels guilty because of his extra-marital affair with 17-year-old Abigail Williams .

Proctor's Kindness and Anger

John Proctor is a kind man in many ways. In Act One, the audience first sees him entering the Parris household to check on the health of the reverend's ill daughter. He is good natured with fellow villagers such as Giles Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and others. Even with adversaries, he is slow to anger.

But when provoked, he does get angry. One of his flaws is his temper. When friendly discussion does not work, Proctor will resort to shouting and even physical violence.

There are occasions throughout the play when he threatens to whip his wife, his servant-girl, and his ex-mistress. Still, he remains a sympathetic character because his anger is generated by the unjust society which he inhabits. The more the town becomes collectively paranoid, the more he rages.

Proctor's Pride and Self-Esteem

Proctor's character contains a caustic blend of pride and self-loathing, a very puritanical combination indeed. On the one hand, he takes pride in his farm and his community. He is an independent spirit who has cultivated the wilderness and transformed it into farmland. Furthermore, his sense of religion and communal spirit has led to many public contributions. In fact, he helped construct the town's church.

His self-esteem sets him apart from other members of the town, such as the Putnams, who feel one must obey authority at all costs. Instead, John Proctor speaks his mind when he recognizes injustice. Throughout the play, he openly disagrees with the actions of Reverend Parris, a choice that ultimately leads to his execution.

Proctor the Sinner

Despite his prideful ways, John Proctor describes himself as a "sinner." He has cheated on his wife, and he is loath to admit the crime to anyone else. There are moments when his anger and disgust towards himself burst forth, such as in the climactic moment when he exclaims to Judge Danforth : "I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours."

Proctor's flaws make him human. If he didn't have them, he wouldn't be a tragic hero. If the protagonist were a flawless hero, there would be no tragedy, even if the hero died at the end. A tragic hero, like John Proctor, is created when the protagonist uncovers the source of his downfall. When Proctor accomplishes this, he has the strength to stand up to the morally bankrupt society and dies in defense of truth.

Essays about John Proctor might do well to explore the character arc that occurs throughout the play. How and why does John Proctor change?

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"The Crucible": Character Analysis of John Proctor

"The Crucible": Character Analysis of John Proctor essay

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The Crucible: John Proctor and Others Characters Analysis Essay

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Although Abigail is somewhat responsible for her actions and the deaths of many innocent Puritans, there are several outside factors that influenced her behavior. One outside factor that influenced Abigail’s behavior was her relationship with John Proctor. Abigail thought that John Proctor was in love with her even though he wasn’t. In Act II, Elizabeth tells John, “ There is a promise made in any bed…spoke or silent, a promise is surely made” (Elizabeth 64). Elizabeth is trying to tell John that even though it was a one night stand for him, it was meaningful to Abigail.

John’s rejection caused Abigail to be heartbroken. This led to Abigail performing witchcraft in the woods with Tituba and a group of girls to form a love potion. Abigail was desperate to get John back and make him feel the same way as she did. Even after the affair was over, John continued to see Abigail and give her false hope that one day they might be together. When he sees her in Salem, he tells her that he still thinks about her softly from time to time, but he will never be committed to her. Abigail might think of this as a challenge and still has hope for them to be together one day. If John Proctor would not have committed adultery with Abigail, she would have never acted the way she did. Another reason for Abigail to feel hatred toward Salem is her childhood; she’s never had anyone to care for her or show her love. When Abigail was a child she witnessed the murder of both of her parents. Indians broke into her home while they were sleeping and slaughtered everyone she loved. After this happened, Abigail was forced to move into her Uncle, Reverend Parris’ house. Parris is hooked on his reputation in Salem and trying to hold onto his power, so he never pays much attention to Abigail or his own daughter, Betty. This causes Abigail and the group of girls to rebel and seek attention throughout Salem. If Abigail would have been loved, or cared for, or paid more attention to, she would not have rebelled. She would have been happier with her life and maybe handled the rejection from John in a healthier way. When he rejects her, it triggers her even more because it is just one more person that doesn’t love her, nor care for her. Lastly, Abigail’s behavior was influenced by her society. In Salem, women didn’t have much freedom, nor was their voice heard over a man’s. Men held all the power, while women were viewed as weak. For example, when John Proctor takes Mary Warren and forces her to confess, he tells the court that Abigail committed lechery. When this was spoken, all faces turned toward Abigail like she was the criminal. Not one of them turned their head toward John Proctor, the one who was married with three kids and a baby on the way. Danforth even says, “Good then, if she tells me, child that it be harlotry, may God spread his mercy on you (Danforth 117). In this society, it is clear why a woman would not ever want to tell the truth when all the blame will lead back to her. Although Abigail made some poor choices, it was not all her fault. There were several outside forces that led to her actions. More responsibility should have been put on John Proctor; he gave her false hope and misled her in the wrong direction. Parris should also be more to blame for her actions because as a family member, he should have loved and cared for her more than worrying about his own reputation. And family, had Abigail lived in a more equal society, she may not been heartbroken or careless about her actions. 

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The Crucible Character Analysis (John Proctor)

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Imagine living a life of paranoia, in which you cannot even walk out of the front door without having to peer over your shoulder, wondering if or when you will be struck by an inevitable plague. In 1692, this mere situation was a horrendous reality for the people of Salem, Massachusetts in The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. This plague, created by one’s burning desire to seek vengeance upon a man through the means of witchcraft, resulted in a tragic ending for many townspeople of all kinds alike. This series of unfortunate events ultimately resulted in the unnecessary death of many; however, this painful journey along with its experiences allowed many people to acknowledge, grow, and change their person and perspective in many aspects. These changes become evident in John Proctor, whose motivations behind his actions sprout from the emotional and spiritual wounds that he self-inflicted while committing to adultery. Each and every decision that is made is a result of a motive; In the case of John Proctor, everything that he does is in attempt regain the trust, approval and unconditional love of his wife Elizabeth. Furthermore, he means to disprove the claims and corruptions caused by the sinful liar, Abigail.

While in his home furiously defending the innocence of his wife to John Hale, who came to arrest her, Proctor proclaims, “I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my wife to vengeance!” (871-884, 173). The content of this quote displays the immense amount of love and passion that John has for his wife. It also supports John’s motive behind his decisions. Additionally, it explains that the claims of witchcraft being made by Abigail are purely out of vengeance… a vengeance that Proctor brought upon himself. Because of this vengeance seeking girl, John will be forced to make a decision that will immensely affect the outcome of his situation. It has been said that the toughest decision is always the right one to make. In a desperate attempt to convince the blind jury of Abigail’s act, John contemplates a decision that could greatly affect him when he says.

“A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you, sir, I beg you—see her what she is. . . . She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance. . .” (854-867, 189). This quote is extremely significant because it consists of two crucial choices that John made within his time that dramatically affected the outcome of his situation. The first one being that he committed adultery with Abigail. It may be true that if not for this, the witch trials may have never occurred, because Abigail wouldn’t have inquired with Tituba to curse Elizabeth. The second being that not only did John commit Adultery, but also openly admitted to the court that he did so. Proctor decided to admit his sin in attempt to taint Judge Danforth’s trustingly blinded opinion of her, hoping in turn that the judge would reconsider the validity of Abigail’s claims, resulting in the release of his wife. These decisions result in immeasurable consequence, yet allow him to change as a human being for the better in the eyes of God and his wife. Although some of the choices that John made were not wise, he learned from them and in the end changed into a better man.

Towards the end of The Crucible when John is urged to sign a document solidifying his confession to witchcraft, he says “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (725-730, 207). After refusing to sign his name, he is pressed yet again to provide Danforth with the names of others whom he knew to have associated with the devil… he replies, “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it” (653-655, 207). Theses quotes provide pivotal examples of how John has changed. He refuses to live a life of lies as he previously did, and bring any further shame upon himself or Elizabeth. He also refuses to act in the likes of Abigail, and falsely accuse any innocent people when is asked to do so.

Changes in John’s personality are a result of his motivation to fix his wrongdoings during and after committing adultery. This motivation to repair his mistakes is what causes him to make the decision to confess to adultery, and he did this in confidence that it would help save his wife. Proctor made the tough decision to admit to such a crime, yet an act like this displays how he grew and changed as a person, as well as how much one woman meant to him. Conclusively, John decided not to take the easy road, but the prideful highroad in which he allowed Elizabeth to be his pardoner and God to be his judge. Never did he let his name become corrupted.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Crucible — Analysis of John Proctor as Tragic Hero in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

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Analysis of John Proctor as Tragic Hero in "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

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Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1530 | Pages: 3.5 | 8 min read

This essay explores the character of John Proctor in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" and analyzes whether he can be considered a true tragic hero according to Aristotle's criteria. The essay begins by defining Aristotle's parameters for a tragic hero, which include being of noble birth, having a fatal flaw or hamartia, and experiencing anagnorisis, a moment of enlightenment and redemption.

The essay argues that John Proctor can be seen as the tragic hero in the play, as he fits many of Aristotle's criteria. Proctor is a respected figure in Puritan Salem, and his fatal flaw is identified as his hubris, particularly his obsession with maintaining his reputable name. His affair with Abigail Williams and his refusal to confess his involvement in the witch trials due to his pride contribute to his downfall.

However, the essay also highlights a key issue with Proctor's character as a tragic hero. While he experiences a form of redemption by tearing up his signed confession and standing up to the corrupt authorities, this redemption is rooted in his desire to protect his reputation rather than a genuine shift in values. This self-serving nature of his redemption detracts from his characterization as a true tragic hero, as he fails to undergo a true anagnorisis.

Works Cited

  • Aristotle. (1996). Poetics (R. Janko, Trans.). Hackett Publishing Company.
  • Miller, A. (1953). The Crucible. Penguin Books.
  • Golden, A. L. (Ed.). (2010). The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts (Vol. 15). Dramatists Play Service.
  • Bloom, H. (Ed.). (2009). Arthur Miller's The Crucible (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations). Infobase Publishing.
  • Murphy, B. (2011). Arthur Miller (Modern Critical Views). Infobase Publishing.
  • Bell, R. C. (2000). Understanding Arthur Miller. Univ of South Carolina Press.
  • Bigsby, C. W. (2005). Arthur Miller: A Critical Study. Cambridge University Press.
  • Koprince, S. (2017). The Crucible by Arthur Miller (MAXNotes Literature Guides). Research & Education Association.
  • Meyer, M. (2015). The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing (11th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • Roudané, M. (Ed.). (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Arthur Miller (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

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  1. John Proctor from "The Crucible": Character Analysis

    John Proctor - One of The Most Important Characters in "The Crucible". The Crucible is a 1953 play written by Arthur Miller. It is a historical and partly fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts from 1692 to 1693. John Proctor is a hardworking middle-aged farmer, father, and husband.

  2. The Crucible: John Proctor Character Analysis

    The Crucible: John Proctor Character Analysis. "The Crucible" is a powerful depiction of the Salem witch trials that took place in the late 17th century. One of the central characters in the play is John Proctor, a flawed but ultimately noble man who is caught up in the hysteria of the witch hunt. Proctor's character undergoes a significant ...

  3. John Proctor

    Character Analysis John Proctor

  4. John Proctor Character Analysis in The Crucible

    John Proctor Character Analysis. John Proctor. A farmer, and the husband of Elizabeth. Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams while she worked as a servant in his house. A powerful man in both build and character, Proctor refuses to follow people he considers hypocrites, including Reverend Parris.

  5. John Proctor and The Crucible: a Character Analysis

    Introduction. Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, first performed in 1953, is a dramatic re-telling of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692 and 1693.Central to the narrative is the character of John Proctor, a local farmer who becomes entangled in the hysteria and ultimately seeks redemption through his actions.

  6. John Proctor in The Crucible Character Analysis

    The emotional weight of the play rests on Proctor's quest to regain his lost self-image, his lost goodness. In fact, it is his journey from guilt to redemption that forms the central spine of The Crucible. John Proctor is a classic Arthur Miller hero: a dude who struggles with the incompatibility of his actions with his self-image.

  7. "The Crucible," a Play by Arthur Miller: John Proctor

    John Proctor is one of the key characters in "The Crucible" and can be considered the leading male role of the play. Because of his importance, we know more about him than almost anyone else in this tragedy. 30-year-old farmer. Married to a pious woman: Elizabeth Proctor. Father of three boys.

  8. The Crucible Character Analysis

    The Crucible Character Analysis

  9. "The Crucible": Character Analysis of John Proctor

    John Proctor, a prominent character in the play, strives to protect his name and reputation. As the Crucible starts, we learn that John cheats on his wife Elizabeth Proctor with their maid, a young girl named Abigail Williams. Abigail and her friends are suspected of witchcraft for, "dancing like heathen in the forest" (Miller 7), and ...

  10. John Proctor's dynamic character development in The Crucible

    Summary: John Proctor's character in The Crucible undergoes significant development. Initially, he is depicted as a flawed man who is guilt-ridden over his affair with Abigail. As the story ...

  11. Essay about John Proctor: A Character Analysis

    John Proctor is a man who despite his flaws, symbolizes how final dying actions can redeem previous sins. Taking place during the 1692 witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, no character more perfectly exemplifies the definition of the word 'crucible' other than John Proctor, for a crucible is defined as a situation of severe trial.

  12. The Crucible: John Proctor and Others Characters Analysis Essay

    Essay Example: Although Abigail is somewhat responsible for her actions and the deaths of many innocent Puritans, there are several outside factors that influenced her behavior. One outside factor that influenced Abigail's behavior was her relationship with John Proctor. Abigail thought that

  13. Character Analysis Of John Proctor In The Crucible

    John Proctor is one of the main characters whose character traits help uncover the hidden theme, "Everyone deserves a second chance.". John Proctor is a dynamic character who is stern, authoritative, angry and unfaithful. Proctor develops a reputation in the beginning of the play based off of his past choices. Proctor is talked about within ...

  14. The Tragic Hero: John Proctor in The Crucible

    In Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible," he serves as the protagonist, an accused witch, and a tragic hero. Proctor is a man of integrity and principles, but he is also humanly flawed. He struggles with guilt, pride, and temptation and undergoes a transformation throughout the play. In this essay, I will analyze John Proctor's character in "The ...

  15. Character Analysis Essay On John Proctor In The Crucible

    Character Analysis Essay On John Proctor In The Crucible '. Ouellette 1 slope into false conclusions. He interviews John Proctor on his faith, and becomes uneasy, "I—have—there is a softness in your record, sir, a softness" (Miller 63). As a priest, his strong beliefs lead him to suspect Proctor of witchcraft.

  16. John Proctors Motivation in The Crucible

    Published: Mar 5, 2024. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the character of John Proctor is a complex and compelling figure whose actions are driven by a multitude of motivations. From his desire to preserve his reputation to his determination to uncover the truth, Proctor's decisions are shaped by a variety of internal and external ...

  17. The Crucible John Proctor Character Analysis

    In John Proctor's argument with Reverend Hale regarding his devotion to religion, Miller uses ethos and pathos to propel the plot forward. His ethos are aimed towards revealing Parris's lack of devotion to the church by using decorum to show how he fails to be concomitant with Hale's archetype of a trustworthy leader.

  18. The Crucible Character Analysis Essay

    Decent Essays. 879 Words. 4 Pages. Open Document. The Crucible Character Analysis In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor, the protagonist, is a farmer in his middle thirties. The author gives little to no detailed physical description of him, but from Proctor's speech, we can still picture him as a strong and powerful man who is able ...

  19. A Character Analysis of John Proctor in Arthur Miller's Play The Crucible

    In the play The Crucible Arthur Miller uses the Salem Witch Trials to parallel the time period of McCarthyism. One way he does this is through the character John Proctor. In real life John was a sixty year old tavern keeper (Burns, Margo). In the play though he is portrayed as being about 45 and it is said he had an affair with Abigail even ...

  20. The Crucible Character Analysis (John Proctor)

    The Crucible Character Analysis (John Proctor) Essay on Blalawriting.com 🥇 - Imagine living a life of paranoia, in which you cannot even walk out of the front door without having to peer over your shoulder, wondering if or when you ... Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed. Order Now ...

  21. Analysis of John Proctor as Tragic Hero in "The Crucible" by Arthur

    This essay explores the character of John Proctor in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" and analyzes whether he can be considered a true tragic hero according to Aristotle's criteria. The essay begins by defining Aristotle's parameters for a tragic hero, which include being of noble birth, having a fatal flaw or hamartia, and experiencing ...