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Thank you for visiting Some argue that John Proctor is a tragic hero Begin a short essay by defining tragic hero Then explain whether or not Proctor meets these. This page is designed to guide you through key points and clear explanations related to the topic at hand. We aim to make your learning experience smooth, insightful, and informative. Dive in and discover the answers you're looking for!

Some argue that John Proctor is a tragic hero. Begin a short essay by defining "tragic hero." Then explain whether or not Proctor meets these requirements. Support your argument by paraphrasing or citing specific examples from the drama. At the end of your essay, compare Proctor with other heroes of plays, novels, or films with which you are familiar.

Answer :

John Proctor meets the criteria of a tragic hero by possessing a major flaw leading to his downfall and by undergoing significant self-awareness and evoking pity and fear in the audience, similar to other tragic heroes like Creon and Hamlet.

To determine if John Proctor is a tragic hero, we first need to understand the concept of a tragic hero. According to Aristotle's Poetics, a tragic hero is a protagonist who possesses a major flaw (hamartia) that leads to their downfall. This character typically undergoes a reversal of fortune (peripeteia), gains self-awareness or insight (anagnorisis), and elicits a sense of pity and fear in the audience, culminating in a catharsis.

Proctor is indeed a mostly good man but is marred by his own flaws, such as his initial pride and his past infidelity with Abigail Williams. This flaw sets the stage for his downfall as it leads to Abigail's vengeful actions, which ultimately result in Proctor's condemnation. His decision to confess his sins and finally tearing up the false confession in the climax can be seen as his anagnorisis. This act of integrity, though leading to his death, restores his sense of honor and evokes pity and fear in the audience, a hallmark of the tragic hero archetype.

Comparatively, John Proctor shares similarities with other tragic heroes like Creon in Antigone or Hamlet in Shakespeare's play. Like Proctor, these characters face internal conflicts and their flaws lead them to a painful enlightenment and eventual downfall.

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