What makes a hero a hero? There are many traits one can have which would be described heroic. It can be their selflessness, bravery, intelligence, or even courage. In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible many of these traits are expressed through many different characters. One attribute that really stands out in the play is courage. The heroic trait of courage is seen throughout the play in many different characters.
The heroic trait of courage was expressed greatly in the characters of Giles Corey, John Proctor, and Abigail Williams. Starting off, courage was greatly expressed when Giles did not deny or confess to witchcraft, and got pressed to death. As Elizabeth explained to John, “Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. With a tender smile for the old man: they say he give them but two words. “More weight,” he says. And died” (Miller 135). This incident shows bravery because he accepted his fate and stayed mute. He knew in his heart he was innocent and did not want to lie to stay alive. Furthermore, the noble feature of courage was also expressed in John Proctor when he chooses to be hanged over living in shame with his name on the church door. “God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!” John argued to keep his name off the church door (Miller 142). John’s actions are daring because he accepts the he is a sinner, but would rather be hanged than shamed. This makes John brave because unlike others he accepted
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Giles and John were courageous and accepted their fates. Abigail was courageous in her own way when she stabbed herself with a needle to get Elizabeth arrested. There are many people in the world who portray heroic traits such as courage in their everyday life. A hero doesn’t necessarily have to have superpowers. What trait do you believe makes a