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.