The Crucible Tragic Hero Essay

2016

The Crucible’s Tragic Hero In The Crucible, Arthur Miller tells a story that is based off the real Salem witch trials. The tragic hero in this story is John Proctor and he is married to Elizabeth Proctor. John Proctor has three boys. His tragic flaw is his affair with Abigail Williams (she is one of the girls that lead the witch trials as one of the “victims”). John Proctor and Abigail William’s affair is what led to Abigail Williams wanting to be his wife, then the witch trials, thus leading to his death.

First, Abigail Williams believes that John Proctor loved her, so she drank a charm to kill his wife. Betty Parris (Abigail’s cousin), exclaimed, “You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife!” (1.892). Abigail Williams believes that John Proctor loves her. This

John Proctor 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!”(4.969). During this scene John Proctor is close to his ultimate tragic fall. He has found goodness in him and he does not want to live by signing his name into a lie. He would rather die, knowing there is goodness in him and forgiving himself for his tragic flaw than live and know he give up his name up in a lie . He dies with honor.

John Proctor’s tragic flaw leads to Abigail wanting to be his wife, next the witch trials where John proctor has to admit his flaw, finally to John’s death John Proctor’s ultimate down fall. The Crucible tells about how Abigail wants to become his wife because she believes that John Proctor loves her. The witch trials occur and John trying to prove the people is innocent, this leads to John Proctor’s death. In conclusion The Crucible is based off the Salem witch