John Proctor: A Tragic Hero

When Elizabeth is charged and arrested for “witchcraft”, the dynamic between John and Elizabeth Proctor changes; as well as Elizabeth herself. She grows stronger and confident for herself and her family. She says to John, “When the children wake, speak nothing of witchcraft- it will frighten them”(Miller,37). She is motivated by the love she shares with John to continue and go through the witch trials. Consequently, her love for him makes the situation worse in the long run. Elizabeth lies about knowing the affair between John and Abigail think she was protecting him and his reputation. Elizabeth says to Danforth, “No, sir”(Miller, 50); she lies about the affair to the court thinking she is protecting her husband. John knows she is trying
John Proctor is a tragic hero in the efforts to save his wife’s life but sacrifices his life to preserving his pride, dignity, and truth; dying as a man with many flaws but a good man in the eyes of God. John Proctor is the common man who's making an honest living as a farmer in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. Many describe him as a virtuous, stern man who speaks his mind and is well-respected. He is a man of integrity; a harsh-tongued man whose lust led him to an affair with Abigail Williams, his former servant. This leaves a strain in his marriage and he can’t seem to forgive himself. When introduced to the story, John Proctor is a passive protagonist who does nothing to affect the main plot of the story. During this time, he is motivated by staying out of the witch hunt hysteria to save himself and his reputation. John says to Elizabeth, “I’ll think on it”(Miller, 27); John is trying to avoid getting involved in the witch hunt. His self-serving desire to be silent leads many innocent people to their deaths, leaving those responsible unaccountable. It is until Elizabeth is arrested for “witchcraft” he get involved in proving her innocence and exposing the