Of John Proctor As A Tragic Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
A tragic hero is a character in a work of fiction who commits an action or makes a mistake which eventually leads to his or her defeat. A tragic hero characteristics include pity and fear, relatability, goodness, hamartia, and consistency. John Proctor is definitely a tragic hero and he shows this in many ways in The Crucible by Arthur Miller through means of catharsis and a tragic flaw, hamartia. John Proctor is an honest, blunt-spoken, overall good person with one fatal flaw. In the play, he starts off as a respected and successful farmer whose main focus is himself above all and then his flaw is highlighted. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero usually comes from a position of nobility or is a well-respected individual. Although John
Proctor is not in a position of nobility, he is very much respected in his town. He owns a house, has a family and works hard to provide for them. He leads a life that many would consider successful in that time period. Some may think that Proctor’s tragic flaw is the affair with Abigail, But it could also be selfishness. When Elizabeth Proctor asks John to go and tell the court of Abigails fraud, he refuses because there is “no proof” (Miller 53). John Proctor has an important reputation and he knows accusing Abby can make him look bad because she is considered “a saint” and she could also make his lechery public which would also ruin his name. His silence means the death of innocent others which is considered selfish and after Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft, his fate is sealed because it now looks like he is just trying to save his wife. It is very much evident that his selfishness is the real fatal flaw and a characteristic of a tragic hero. In order to be a tragic hero, John Proctor must also bring to mind a sense of catharsis. At the start of the play, proctor is introduced as “respected and feared”, but also a “sinner against his own vision of decent conduct” (Miller 20). As the play goes on, his lechery is exposed giving the audience a resentment feeling. When his wife is accused of witchcraft, he shows willingness to save his wife which shows that he has a soft side. He is never portrayed as evil, in fact, he is portrayed as one of the few good guys in Salem, MA. Although people might hate John Proctor for his mistakes, it is hard not to feel pity for him. John Proctor may not be likable, he is a well-respected, selfish, imperfect man who was leading a successful life until the witch trials started. He will eventually realize his own flaws and act in courage.
Proctor is not in a position of nobility, he is very much respected in his town. He owns a house, has a family and works hard to provide for them. He leads a life that many would consider successful in that time period. Some may think that Proctor’s tragic flaw is the affair with Abigail, But it could also be selfishness. When Elizabeth Proctor asks John to go and tell the court of Abigails fraud, he refuses because there is “no proof” (Miller 53). John Proctor has an important reputation and he knows accusing Abby can make him look bad because she is considered “a saint” and she could also make his lechery public which would also ruin his name. His silence means the death of innocent others which is considered selfish and after Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft, his fate is sealed because it now looks like he is just trying to save his wife. It is very much evident that his selfishness is the real fatal flaw and a characteristic of a tragic hero. In order to be a tragic hero, John Proctor must also bring to mind a sense of catharsis. At the start of the play, proctor is introduced as “respected and feared”, but also a “sinner against his own vision of decent conduct” (Miller 20). As the play goes on, his lechery is exposed giving the audience a resentment feeling. When his wife is accused of witchcraft, he shows willingness to save his wife which shows that he has a soft side. He is never portrayed as evil, in fact, he is portrayed as one of the few good guys in Salem, MA. Although people might hate John Proctor for his mistakes, it is hard not to feel pity for him. John Proctor may not be likable, he is a well-respected, selfish, imperfect man who was leading a successful life until the witch trials started. He will eventually realize his own flaws and act in courage.