Tragedy is something everyone deals with in their lifetime, whether it be in books, movies, or just their own life. Aristotle was an adroit Greek philosopher who originally elaborated on the concept of a tragedy. According to Aristotle, the characteristics processed by a tragic hero in a tragedy are morality, leadership, a tragic flaw, and the eventual realization that their decisions have caused his downfall after which they face death or suffering with honor. One example of a tragedy is the 1693 witch hunt. Arthur Miller wrote on this event, and he included his personification of a tragic hero. Within Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the character of John Proctor stands out, exemplifying the traits of a tragic hero. Both leadership and morality
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Proctor’s pride first majorly affects his decisions when he refuses to go to court and reveal that he knows the girls are frauds for fear of his lechery being promulgated. Proctors’ hesitance is shown when Elizabeth urges him to go to court, prompting, “I would go to Salem now, John – let you go tonight” and he respond with “I’ll think on it” (Miller 1163). Proctor comprehends how calamitous the circumstances is, yet he refuses to reveal the truth of the situation for fear of lechery being charged on him and his name being ruined. Because Proctor waits until his wife is arrested and the witch hunt is full throttle to reveal the truth, the court, who is in the midst of the hunt, believes that his claims are really just part of an insidious plot to overthrow them and they arrest him and schedule his hanging. Subsequently, preceding his scheduled hanging, Proctor has one last chance to live, but he allows his pride to impede him, refusing to let his name be ruined. As Danforth goes to hang Proctors confession for all to see, Proctor refuses to allow him, objecting, “Because it is my name […] How may I live without my name […] Leave me my name” (Miller 1232). Proctor is to prideful to allow his name to be ruined, even if it could spare him his life. Because of his pride, Proctor destroys his confession, choosing to die rather than let his name be ruined. Many times, Proctor is shown to be an overly prideful man, and it is his pride that ultimately engenders his
Proctor’s pride first majorly affects his decisions when he refuses to go to court and reveal that he knows the girls are frauds for fear of his lechery being promulgated. Proctors’ hesitance is shown when Elizabeth urges him to go to court, prompting, “I would go to Salem now, John – let you go tonight” and he respond with “I’ll think on it” (Miller 1163). Proctor comprehends how calamitous the circumstances is, yet he refuses to reveal the truth of the situation for fear of lechery being charged on him and his name being ruined. Because Proctor waits until his wife is arrested and the witch hunt is full throttle to reveal the truth, the court, who is in the midst of the hunt, believes that his claims are really just part of an insidious plot to overthrow them and they arrest him and schedule his hanging. Subsequently, preceding his scheduled hanging, Proctor has one last chance to live, but he allows his pride to impede him, refusing to let his name be ruined. As Danforth goes to hang Proctors confession for all to see, Proctor refuses to allow him, objecting, “Because it is my name […] How may I live without my name […] Leave me my name” (Miller 1232). Proctor is to prideful to allow his name to be ruined, even if it could spare him his life. Because of his pride, Proctor destroys his confession, choosing to die rather than let his name be ruined. Many times, Proctor is shown to be an overly prideful man, and it is his pride that ultimately engenders his