Cantu 1 Mark Cantu Mrs. Tyree English III, Per.

3 13 December 2013 Live, Love, Lust What is a tragic hero? A tragic hero is a good and noble man who has a tragic flaw in which he tries to redeem himself. This definition describes John Proctor perfectly. John proctor is a man who is well respected in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts but has one tragic flaw and at the end redeems himself. John Proctor lived in Salem, Massachusetts and was a hard working man and farmer. Everyone in the town of Salem knew of John Proctor and looked up to him because of how good and very well made he was. He was a man that was powerful with body, even tempered and not easily led. (Act 1). John Proctor was also a very honest man, Because it speaks deceit and I am honest! (Act 2, Line 15). Mr. Proctor seems so great and holy to everyone however, he had one tragic flaw John Proctors tragic flaw is lust. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. (Act 3, Line 865-866). He has had an affair with Abigail Williams. Abigail believes that John Proctor loves her and she is very disappointed, angry, and also sad that she has given up her body out of love to Mr. Proctor but he rejects her and goes back to his wife Elizabeth. Because of this, Abigail drinks blood to get rid of Elizabeth thinking John Proctor will go to her since his wife is gone. Eventually everyone learns that Abigail has drunk blood and the town starts talking witchcraft. Many people died due to accusations of witchcraft so therefore, if John Proctor never lusted, Abigail would have never drunk blood and there would be no talk of witchcraft spreading

Cantu 2 through the town. People learn of John Proctors tragic flaw, and is also accused of witchcraft; John Proctors good name is no more. I have runs the doom of my good name. (Act 3, Line 874-875). Because of this, he is thrown into jail and at his lowest point he attempts to redeem himself. While in jail, John proctor is chained being neglected, mistreated, and is seen as an abomination. His wrist are chained, he is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them. (Act 4, Line 388-389). John Proctor is given the opportunity to get out of jail and live his life normally if he signs a paper, meaning he confesses to the accusations of witchcraft. At first John Proctor is willing to sign, and then he learns that the paper will be hung on the courthouse door letting everyone see it. So being the good and honest man he is, he does not sign. He does not want to live his life a lie, everyone will think he is affiliated with witchcraft when that is not the truth. Since John Proctor does not want to confess, he is sentenced to be hung for the affiliation of witchcraft. John proctor does not try and fight the hanging, he accepts it. Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them. (Act 4, Line 751-752). He knows what he is doing is good, so now everyone will know the truth of John Proctor. John Proctor is a man who stood up for himself. A man who sacrificed himself so everyone will know the truth behind the accusations. You learn from this story that you should always admit to your sins, not try and lie and hide from the truth. So then people can respect and forgive you.