John Proctor As A Tragic Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

According to Aristotle, “A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, written about the Salem Witch trials, presents itself as an allegory for McCarthyism. In this work, protagonist John Proctor is the tragic hero of the play. John most clearly fits the mold of a tragic hero in the play based on his effort to save his wife, his change of character, and his pride that not only lead him to his death, but to a sacrifice for Salem. To begin, John went to extensive lengths to try and help save his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, who was accused of witchcraft and ultimately imprisoned. As the deputy tells the Proctors that Elizabeth has been accused of witchcraft, her husband John grabs the warrant, rips it up, and argues, “vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my wife to vengeance!” (Miller 1246). Along with pleading with

In the beginning of the play, he thought mainly about himself, and little about others. He continually grew into a selfless character as the play progressed, making him almost completely selfless by the end. By confessing of his sin in court, he gave up all his dignity in hopes to help Elizabeth. John pleads to Danforth, “I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name – you will believe me, Mr. Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one!” (Miller 1259). This selfless act was one of many that demonstrate John’s growth in the play. Towards the end of the play, John says to Elizabeth, “I would have your forgiveness, Elizabeth”, showing he truly wants redemption from his sin committed against her, while before he was stuck in his sin and never asked for forgiveness (Miller