The tragic hero of Arthur Miller's The Crucible is John Proctor because he fits the criteria for a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a good person overall who has a tragic flaw that causes him to fall, but after which he gains redemption and turns out a better man. John Proctor is an astounding citizen of Salem, but he has a secret and tragic flaw of lust for Abigail Williams, which he regrets and tries to repent for eternally. His sin drives Abigail to such degrees of jealous that she accused Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, of witchcraft. This leads to the whole town being dragged in. He has already fallen before the play even begins when he succumbs to Abigail's seductions. His redemption comes when he finally steps up and directly accuses Abigail of fraud. Although he eventually dies, John Proctor turns out a better man by keeping his honor, his dignity, and most of all, his name. John Proctor fits all of the conditions of a tragic hero and therefore he is naturally the tragic hero of this drama. .
Proctor's lust for Abigail is his secret and tragic flaw, which causes him to fall. Proctor openly admits having fallen for Abigail, but he swears he It causes Abigail to be jealous of his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail says, "She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!" (24). Abigail is so driven by this jealously she accuses Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft. In this way, the hysteria sparks and eventually blazes into a wildfire that no one can stop, not even Proctor himself. "If you do not free my wife tomorrow, I am set and bound to ruin you, Abby" (151). He is willing to go to any extent to stop the foolish hysteria, even as far as to reveal himself as a sinner and blacken his name and in doing so, harming his little-left pride. John Proctor regrets ever having the affair with Abigail, saying: "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I"ll ever reach for you again" (23).
