Discuss whether or not the play is a tragedy. Is there a tragic hero? Who has a tragic flaw? What moral weakness or psychological maladjustment do they see? What social pressures are prominent?
The play can definitely be classified as a tragedy, with John Proctor as the tragic hero. His one tragic flaw that haunts him throughout the play is his affair with Abigail. His tragic flaw even ends up leading to the disastrous ending. Abigail, wanting to take Elizabeth's place as John's wife, ends up concocting an elaborate story of witchcraft. John may have been able to put a stop to everything had he confessed to his sin earlier, but out of fear he waits too late and his confession only leads to his own arrest. In the end, his tragic flaw leads to his own death, as well as the death of many others.
I completely agree with TimeyWimey's statement that John Proctor is the tragic hero of 'The Crucible'. The dictionary defines a tragic hero as "a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat". Proctor is the greatest and most honest of all the 'Crucible' characters, having stayed true to his values throughout the entire plot. However, Proctor's honesty eventually led to his demise. Because Proctor refused to lie and have his name dishonored, his life was not spared.
I completely agree with TimeyWimey. If John Proctor had simply confessed to his sin of having an affair or even succumbed to Abigail's demands, the entire episode could have been avoided. However, even when Proctor did become honest in order to put an end to his suffering, he was still punished and forced to hang for the crime of dealing with the Devil.
John Proctor is the tragic hero and I would consider this play a tragedy. John Proctor has the most morals and good intentions of any character in the play and tries everything he can to stop the trails without harming his reputation or his wife's reputation because he is proud of his name. At the end though John confesses that he had an affair as a last effort to stop the frenzy, but by then it is too late. John's pubic confession leads to his fatal arrest and is his major flaw.
I agree with your opinion that John Proctor was the most good-intentioned character in the play, and that his role in the story helped cement its status as a tragedy. John was purposefully set up as the most relatable and level-headed individual in order to bring the reader closer to him as a character.
This play is a tragedy with John Proctor as the tragic hero. He is one of the most virtuous characters in the play and as I stated in my character post, he is the voice of reason. His tragic flaw is his pride in his name and reputation. While his infidelity to his wife Elizabeth plans a large role in the play, I do not believe this in itself is his flaw. Proctor tried to do everything he could to stop the accusations and trials besides telling the truth about his relationship with Abigail. He was too worried about ruining his reputation though to say anything before it was too late and his wife was already arrested. Had he told the court this from the start, it could have saved many peoples’ lives, including his own.
I agree that John Proctor's infidelity is not his tragic flaw. Although it did play a huge part in what he did in the play, his flaw in the end is his selflessness. This is pretty ironic considering that most of the characters could be considered VERY selfish. He does not want to put his friends and neighbors in an awkward (and dangerous) position by telling the truth. He decides to admit to conspiring with the devil at the cost of his own life.
The play can definitely be classified as a tragedy, with John Proctor as the tragic hero. His one tragic flaw that haunts him throughout the play is his affair with Abigail. His tragic flaw even ends up leading to the disastrous ending. Abigail, wanting to take Elizabeth's place as John's wife, ends up concocting an elaborate story of witchcraft. John may have been able to put a stop to everything had he confessed to his sin earlier, but out of fear he waits too late and his confession only leads to his own arrest. In the end, his tragic flaw leads to his own death, as well as the death of many others.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with TimeyWimey's statement that John Proctor is the tragic hero of 'The Crucible'. The dictionary defines a tragic hero as "a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat". Proctor is the greatest and most honest of all the 'Crucible' characters, having stayed true to his values throughout the entire plot. However, Proctor's honesty eventually led to his demise. Because Proctor refused to lie and have his name dishonored, his life was not spared.
DeleteI completely agree with TimeyWimey. If John Proctor had simply confessed to his sin of having an affair or even succumbed to Abigail's demands, the entire episode could have been avoided. However, even when Proctor did become honest in order to put an end to his suffering, he was still punished and forced to hang for the crime of dealing with the Devil.
DeleteJohn Proctor is the tragic hero and I would consider this play a tragedy. John Proctor has the most morals and good intentions of any character in the play and tries everything he can to stop the trails without harming his reputation or his wife's reputation because he is proud of his name. At the end though John confesses that he had an affair as a last effort to stop the frenzy, but by then it is too late. John's pubic confession leads to his fatal arrest and is his major flaw.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion that John Proctor was the most good-intentioned character in the play, and that his role in the story helped cement its status as a tragedy. John was purposefully set up as the most relatable and level-headed individual in order to bring the reader closer to him as a character.
DeleteThis play is a tragedy with John Proctor as the tragic hero. He is one of the most virtuous characters in the play and as I stated in my character post, he is the voice of reason. His tragic flaw is his pride in his name and reputation. While his infidelity to his wife Elizabeth plans a large role in the play, I do not believe this in itself is his flaw. Proctor tried to do everything he could to stop the accusations and trials besides telling the truth about his relationship with Abigail. He was too worried about ruining his reputation though to say anything before it was too late and his wife was already arrested. Had he told the court this from the start, it could have saved many peoples’ lives, including his own.
ReplyDeleteI agree that John Proctor's infidelity is not his tragic flaw. Although it did play a huge part in what he did in the play, his flaw in the end is his selflessness. This is pretty ironic considering that most of the characters could be considered VERY selfish. He does not want to put his friends and neighbors in an awkward (and dangerous) position by telling the truth. He decides to admit to conspiring with the devil at the cost of his own life.
Delete