The Crucible Characters: Tragic Heroism, Personal Honor, and the Triumph of Integrity
John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and Mary Warren are the main characters who are apart of the Puritan Community. The Play is about Witchcraft or what the town of Salem believes it to be considered of Witchcraft, Along with actions of hero's that conquer their egotistic way of old thinking. In the Crucible, Arthur Miller develops John Proctor as a tragic hero who gives up his life for personal honor and suggests that his independent thinking breaks the back of the Theocracy and ushers in the Age of Reason. First of all, Proctor gives up his life for personal honor and suggests that his independent thinking breaks the back of the Theocracy. Proctor is a loving husband.
He proves that by telling Elizabeth, “It is well seasoned" (p. 48) in reference to the rabbit she cooked, in which he had to add salt to. He likes to make her happy, which shows he loves her, and so he asks, “Would that please you?" (p.48) He is asking in reference to buying a heifer for her if the crops are good. He assures her he will "fall like an ocean on that court" by which he shows his love in caring for her freedom (p.73). To the court he admits he has "known her" he is talking about Abigail and their affair (p.102).
He is showing his love towards his wife by throwing away his freedom, life, honor, dignity, and pride to prove Elizabeth's innocence and have her freedom. He tells Elizabeth to "show honor now" as he is to be hanged in the gallows. He is showing his love for her by letting her know he cares about her enough to want her to be strong even though he is to die.
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Secondly, Proctor Ushers in the Age of Reason. The most important scene in the play was act two, scene three, is He decides that he will "confess" to the crime of witchcraft, thereby avoiding being hung. He articulates to Elizabeth: "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before." However, to accept what he said, the judge also requires him to sign a written confession which states that he confessed to the crime of witchcraft. Danforth would post it on the church door, to use Proctor as an example to get other people to confess.
That upset Proctor greatly because people would look down on him with disdain, and it would forever blacken his name. John Proctor would rather confess than die for something he flat out didn't do. However, as he confesses, he cannot allow Danforth to make it officially documented. As Danforth asks why, he is answered with a cry: "Because it is my name. Because I cannot have another in my life ... How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name." What is most important to him was to make a stand against Insanity, and to resort to making people aware of what is happening.
Everyone throughout their lives is faced with inner conflicts. Perhaps, In The Crucible, the characters were faced with the most important decision of their lives, whether it right or wrong. In fact, Proctor, learns the strength of his will, and the power of his name. Ultimately, Proctor knows that it is important above all to preserve integrity of his family, because of this he is wiser and stronger than he has ever been, As Proctor emphasizes, "and common vengeance writes the law...."
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The Crucible Characters: Tragic Heroism, Personal Honor, and the Triumph of Integrity. (2023, Jun 17). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-crucible-characters-tragic-heroism-personal-honor-and-the-triumph-of-integrity/
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