John Proctor, the main character from The Crucible, is the embodiment of a tragic hero within the definition of Arthur Miller, the play-write. Miller characterizes the tragic hero as a “common man”; however, in order for this average man to truly be a tragic hero he must possess a fault that creates a “conflict between a man’s raw deeds and his conception of himself” that will eventually lead to his tragic downfall. Miller also importantly states that tragedy in “its final result ought to be reinforcement of the onlooker’s brightest opinion of the human animal”, implying that the agony and suffering, the fear of tragedy itself and the terrible ending is in fact a beginning, and that tragic acts benefit the community as a whole, since tragedy …show more content…
John Proctor is a simple man: he is married, owns a farm, and is not rich nor overly poor. However, his major flaw lies within his hubristic mindset; he would rather endure anything than sign away his honor, name and dignity. Although Proctor is a good man, he has sinned in the past in his affair with Abigail Williams, “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!”(Miller 21) During any other time or place John’s sin would have no serious consequences, but the hysteria that was unfolding in Salem during the witch trials magnified the consequences of his simple sin. When Proctor told Abby that no one must find out about their secret sin and he can no longer love her, Abby becomes furious and the whole hysteria was set in motion. Once the trails began, Proctor realized the only way he could stop Abigail is by confessing, except he becomes conflicted because by doing so he would tarnish his good name. He eventually attempts to confess through Mary Warren’s testimony, but fails. Afterwards, he finally bursts out with a confession, calling Abigail a “whore” (111), proclaiming his guilt in public but realized that it was too late and unfortunately, Proctor’s confession only succeeded in getting himself