Essay --

In Aristotles definition of a tragic hero, a tragic hero must be superior to the average person in some stylus. They must evoke pity, and do so by organism imperfect, and having a tragic error. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is portrayed as the tragic hero. It may appear that Proctors tragic flaw is lust, due to his affair with Abigail. scarce lust does non explain Johns refusal to become involved in the trials before his wife was accused when he knew that Abigail was lying. It makes more sense that his flaw would be selfishness. It gives a better explanation for his demise and his lechery. It was not the act of adultery, but his reluctance to admit to it and accuse Abigail of cosmos a fraud that lead to him hanging from the gallows. Proctor knows that the only reason Abigail accuses his wife of witchcraft is because she wants her out of the picture. And even when Elizabeth pleads with John to go and tell the coquet he refuses because there is no proof. From th e start of the play John places a great importance on his reputation and the fact that he cannot withstand without his name. It is clear that John does not want to accuse Abigail of witchcraft. If he does so he runs some risks she is considered a saint and accusing her could make him look awful and soil his name, and accusing her could also lead to his lechery being made public, again soiling his name. But his silence means that innocent men and women will hang. This rest act of supreme selfishness is where the outcome of the play is really decided Johns fate sealed. While Proctor certainly was a flawed man, the events in The Crucible eventually lead to him recognizing and overcoming his selfishness. The first key example of Proctor acting in a selfless manor is ... ...ide as well. Proctor is the vertical guy, and is sentenced to death, hung for his crime of defending his wife. In addition to this, Proctor is sent to his death willingly after choosing to die rather than ruin th e names of the others that were accused. But the real crime that he is being punished for is giving into his lust and having an affair with Abigail. Everybody makes mistakes and has a moment of weakness now and again. Its hard to not feel at least a small amount of pity for him even if you dislike him. While Proctor is not always the most likable, he has all the characteristics of a tragic hero. While selfish and undoubtedly not perfect, he is a respected man. His selfishness is his tragic flaw, which leads to his eventual death, but on the way down he realizes his own flaws. In an act of courage, John Proctor goes to the gallows with his good name and honor.