Modern tragic hero Essay

Aristotle defines a calamity as a form of drama defined by seriousness and lordliness and involving a heavy(p) person who experiences a reversal of fortune. This smashing person is normally held in high forecast and possesses a tragical or fatal flaw which contri stilles to the reversal of fortune. The character essential swoon through suffering and trials in which they are brought to their limit and, eventually, the character realises their splay or flaw, and develops as a result of this. Unfortunately, the development invariably comes as well late, and the tragedy ends in the characters death.According to Aristotle, a tragedy must(prenominal) induce fear and pity in the audience. Watching a person held in high regard fall leaves the audience question if a single mistake could really lead to such a drastic turn of events. The Crucible was written at a metre when Miller was summoned to appear forward the House Un-American Activities Committee. During the 1940s and earli er 1950s, the fear of communist sympathisers became so great that under Senator Joseph McCarthy, the committee became insane in its search for possible communists.As this was happening, Miller began seeing parallels among the actions of the committee and the witchcraft trials in capital of Oregon two hundred years ago What was manifestly parallel was the guilt, two centuries apart, of holding illicit, suppressed feelings of estrangement and hostility toward standard, daylight society. The possession of lists pertaining to possible gainenders is a extra link, and Miller fashioned The Crucible around both the events of his time and the Salem witch trials. Miller wrote the play for modern audiences and while John varans path is similar to the one defined by Aristotle, in that location are a number of differences.John keep an eye on is described as blunt and honest He had a sharp and biting demeanor with hypocrites, He has a rebellious spirit which leads him to be impulsive and foolhardy on occasions. An example of this is when Parris mentions a faction. watch oer in jest says, then I must find it and join it. This behaviour typical to proctor differs a great deal from the repressive norm of the time. His behaviour withal leads him to trouble later in the play, as others do not apprise his more liberal thinking. In observes presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly-and a keep an eye on is always mark for calumny therefore. As a result of his sometimes rebellious attitude, he puts himself in a dangerous position when the hysteria elevates. varan is high-principled and a man of conviction. His refusal to go to church is not motivated by laziness but by a dislike of how Parris runs it. Miller in any case says that he came to, regard himself as a kind of fraud. Proctor understands that he is not the perfect Christian that he appears to be, and while he remains honored in the village, he himself feels undeserving of such respect because of the sins he has committed. As such, his fear of public humiliation is so great that he is reluctant to act when Elizabeth urges him.To Proctor, the risk of Abigail revealing his sins is too great. Proctor is very weak willed at the start of the play, which highlights his vulnerabilities as a human being being while making his change all the more pronounced. He lacks moral resolution and strength strength to do what is right and courage to act, despite the risks on his own reputation. In his actions toward Elizabeth, we see he is sure and caring. Even though he strayed from his vows, he seeks forgiveness more than anything else and puts off Abigails advances, I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. He is protective of his wifes feelings, and tries to economise them by deceiving through omission. This is demonstrated when Proctor leaves out that he was solo with Abigail for a moment. However, when Elizabeth finds out about it, she is offend that he lied, and suspiciou s of his reasons for doing so. by dint of this deception, Proctor is inadvertently protecting his own insecurities which, while seemingly non brisk to the outside world, he displays in private when with Elizabeth. Proctor lacks confidence in regard to his wife.He feels that he is trying hard to gain her organized religion but is not getting any response from her On Saturday permit you come with me, and well walk the farm together. This is an obvious attempt to do something amatory with his wife, but Elizabeth is less than enthusiastic. Their inability to face up to their problems and the habit of pinch toeing around sensitive subjects prevents the forgiveness that he so craves and keeps their relationship tense. With regard to moral courage, Proctors fear of humiliation makes him indecisive, as the still way to stop Abigails lies is to hurt her.Here he shows his flaws. He doesnt want Abigail to reveal their affair. He doesnt want to hurt her because of his affection and whil e he knows what she is doing is false, his inaction allows the situation to deteriorate drastically over a short period of time- the start of his fall. Proctor excessively has a great fear of being judged by others, especially his wife. He says to Elizabeth Ill not have your suspicion any more, to which Elizabeth replies, John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now?I think not. It is evident that what she says is true, but, because of this, Proctor immediately jumps to his own defence, I confessed, confessed Some dream I had must have mistaken you for God that day. This reveals his resentment for being judged, and his stamp that only God has the right to do so. Elizabeth also storeys out Proctors confliction and self doubt, I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you, meaning Proctor is punishing himself for his sins, and channelling his guilt by blaming his wife.In this interaction with Elizabeth we truly see how insecur e and weak Proctor is, a far cry from the strong outward appearance he shows to others. His inaction stems from his pride, fear and insecurity, and leads to dire consequences for him and Elizabeth. However, as the play progresses, Proctor goes over a sudden and monumental change. Spurred by the call for of his wife, the innate insubordination in him surfaces and Proctor begins to gain moral courage, becoming committed to sacking his wife. Only in the absence of Elizabeth does John discover purpose and tenacity to do what he has to.He is not yet at the point where he can admit his affair openly to stop Abigail, but he begins to see the extent of the hysteria through Mary warren and resolves to stop it with the aid of Mary Warren, All our old pretence is ripped away-make your two-eyed violet with it He must now contend with Marys weak nature, and it is ironic that at the moment of gaining new strength, he must aid Mary overcome her weaknesses and fears. Proctor is still scared for his reputation, but the arrest of Elizabeth is the catalyst of his future development.