How Is John Proctor Honorable In The Crucible

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Calvin Coolidge once said “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” Honor has always been a questionable and controversial topic. An example of that being The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The main character of the play, John Proctor, is often seen as extremely honorable for his actions throughout the play. Proctor, though, gave very little throughout the play. John Proctor is a dishonorable man, due mainly to his wrathful behavior, massive ego, and selfishness. Throughout The Crucible, John Proctor proves himself to be dishonorable by being wrathful towards others. In Act II, when Herrick is about to take Proctor’s wife Elizabeth away, Proctor rips the court’s arrest warrant for Elizabeth and yells “Out with you!” (Miller 173). John Proctor shows that he cannot control himself, ripping a legal warrant. He projects his wrath onto Herrick, not something a honorable puritan man like himself would do. …show more content…

Proctor shows this in Act II Scene II when he threatens Abigail, “If you do not free my wife tomorrow, I am set and bound to ruin you, Abby.” (2.2.43). Even though Abigail is in the wrong here, John Proctor is in no position to be making threats. This is an example of Proctor protruding his massive ego, because he thinks that he has authority over Abigail, even though she has the entire court sided with her. Proctor also shows his ego when he demands things from Colony Governor Danforth, like when Proctor says “You will believe me, Mr. Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one!” (189). Once again, John Proctor think he has the authority to demand things from People. His ego is extremely massive, thinking he is in a position to demand something from the Governor. Proctor protrudes his massive ego by making threats to Abigail and making demands of