On Demand Essay # ADJ on John Proctor V Intro What does it take to be a tragic hero, what traits are key

in order to be a trag ic hero? In the play, The Crucible John Proctors role is undoubtably that of a trag ic hero. Johns actions throughout the play vividly reveal which traits dominate his personality. Throughout the course of the play, over and over again, John Pr octor showed habitual pride, frequent rebelliousness, and constant self-caustici ty. For a truly ideal tragic hero, just combine these three characteristics, the n mix with a little adversity, and presto, a tragic hero will yield. Pride Pride serves as the leavening agent in the metaphoric cake that is tragic hero, John Proctor. Pride serves as a catalyst for all of Proctors decisions. Hi s overwhelming pride in his self perception cause him to agonize frequently over the duration of the plot. One exelent example is apparent in his comment toward Elizebeth, his wife who he cheated on, Quote-Because it speaks deceit and I am honest! But Ill plead no more! I see now y our spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it f ree! (Miller 61). CM This quotation depicts another facet of Proctors personality: his honesty. He perceives himself to be an honest person and prides himself in it and therefore his disloyalty to Elizabeth agonizes him. This torn agony projects him as a hero as it therefore depicts his struggle against himself and his self-perception. TL- John Proctors pride was acutely apparent in a seperate situation durring the Crucible Quote-- I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. Crying out, with hatred: I have no tongue for it. ( IV.243-258) Proctor is willing to lie about himself to save his life but he is not willing t o lie about his friends, publicly or otherwise, and so he goes to his death. Jus t so we know that Proctors decision is really a principled one, Miller has Danfor th point out that people like Rebecca Nurse are doomed no matter what, having be en accused by other people. So, in this sense, it doesnt matter if Proctor adds o ne more voice to the chorus her death wouldnt be directly on his hands. But it wo uld be such an outrageous and malicious lie that he simply doesnt have the tongue d o say it. Rebellious ITL Quote- You cannot command Mr. Parris. We vote by name in this society, not by acr eage. (Miller 33). CM This is said to Putnam, which shows personal hatred. It reflects that Proctor is a good man for he knows to vote for people for the right reasons. Also, he c onsiders himself more valuable than those with actual valuable assets. It could be seen that he has respect for Parris and he is the Reverend. System is flawed and proctor rebels against the injustices through his remark TL Quote- I sayI sayGod is dead! [laughs insanely, then] A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I s ee a filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!... (MIller 105). Proctor says this out of infuriated exasperation with his own situation and also that of society. Because they live in a society which has been subverted and mo rally reversed, Proctor, the man who is essentially goodthe voice of reason and t ruth, works for the Devil. The hysteria of this dialogue also reflects the hyste ria in Salem.

Self-caustic ITL Quote- Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!(IV.284-294) CM this unwillingness reflects his desire not to dishonor his fellow prisoners: he would not be able to live with himself knowing that other innocents died whi le he quaked at deaths door and fled. TL Quote- I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. She is silent. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing s spoil ed by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before. (MIller 118). Interestingly, the fact that Proctor believes that he isnt good enough to die as a saint-like hero, makes him a hero. This is because him being torn because of t his betrayal reflects a his strong sense of morality and his self-reproach and i nability to forgive himself intensifies this. ^ Conclusion

Proctor s character contains a caustic blend of pride and self-loathing, a very puritanical combination indeed P-Rigorous in religious observance; marked by stern morality. Puritanical Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Puritans.