John Proctor Honesty

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In the crucible of Salem's madness, innocence is tested throughout the story, truth is bent, and lives are forever altered. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, many characters are tested and have noble qualities that exemplify them as tragic heroes. John Proctor is the most respectable character among them all as he uses his characteristics of honesty and compassion to qualify him as the best tragic hero. He portrays his honesty by explaining to the town of Salem the girls have been lying from the start. He eventually brings this honesty to death as he refuses to agree with the court and is hung for it. John Proctor emerges as a more profound tragic hero in The Crucible than Hale, as his journey from calling the girls liars to self-sacrifice later …show more content…

Reverend Hale’s journey from a loyal believer of witchcraft in Salem to a remorseful doubter showcases small parts of the tragic hero's internal struggle with his own convictions and the consequences of his actions throughout the story. Hale shows many signs of being a tragic hero because after coming to Salem he realizes he is fighting for the wrong side which he tries to fix but fails and has to live with it forever unlike Proctor. One quote that resembles signs of Hale being a tragic hero is when he says,”I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (Miller 523). Hale says this after being unsuccessful in swaying the court to the other side. He, unlike Proctor, doesn't get to die and has to live knowing he killed people over a lie. Although Proctor doesn’t have to live knowing that he killed people, he had to face an extremely tough decision that impacted the story heavily. One quote that supports this is when Elizabeth remarks,”He has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (Miller 305). This remark is made by Proctor’s wife after John decides to confess to witchcraft to save his own

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