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John Proctor Tragic Hero Essay

900 Words4 Pages

TO commence, The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a fictional play based on the Salem witch trials which took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It tells the story of a village that becomes embroiled in a witch hunt. The people of Salem live in a constant state of fear as more and more people are accused of witchcraft. John Proctor, who had an affair with his wife, switched his ways and became one of the most loyal people around. Though some would disagree that he’ll never change because of his actions, he said to Abby, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of your mind. We never touched, Abby.- John Proctor, Act One. Abby was the woman he had an affair …show more content…

They claimed they had seen her around witchcraft and even caused a scene in the courtroom. They said they had seen spirits all over the room. This is when John Proctor said, “You are pulling heaven down and raising a whore!” -Acts 3. Although John Proctor was sadly hanged for his false accusations, Proctor is considered a tragic hero because he is an honest man of faith and will find a way to bring out the truth in any situation possible. Moving forward, in The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby was a tragic hero who was known to be romantic. Gatsby has always had an obsession with Daisy. The author says, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning——So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”(Fitzgerald). It’s quite known since he’s mentioned his love for her countless times throughout the novel. Jay Gatsby had even bought a house so that he could live across the bay from her to barely see her …show more content…

They said, “Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds.” (173-175). His flaw, however, is in thinking that killing Caesar will ensure that Rome's early ideal of a Republic will continue. When Brutus realizes his error in trusting the other conspirators and in committing a dishonorable act, he loses his compass, falling into despair. After the battle in Act 5, Brutus further realizes that his actions will lead to a version of Rome exactly the opposite of what he had in mind. Thus, he decides to kill himself by stabbing himself with his sword. As he dies, he has full awareness of his choices and the damage he has done to both the people and the ideals he sought to achieve. In conclusion, the three pieces of literature, The Crucible, Julius Caesar, and The Great Gatsby, each have their compelling tragic heroes which make them stand out throughout their individual stories. John Proctor is renowned for his Honesty throughout The Crucible, Jay Gatsby is romantic throughout The Great Gatsby, and Brutus is known for his honor in the play Julius

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