Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," follows many characters as they fight their way through the confusion and madness of the Salem witch trials . John Proctor, a successful, local farmer, is a central figure in the play, and is arguably one of the great tragic heroes in theatrical literature. Proctor's inner struggle are laid bare before the audience, and in the final scenes of the play, every character is privy to the recent mistakes and "sins" he has committed. Halfway through the first act, John arrives in the dark of night in a woodland clearing outside Salem village. His intent is to confront Abigail Williams, the young woman who he had long lusted after and for whom he eventually surrendered his desires. Although he is married to a faithful wife, Abigail is determined to win Proctor's love - or at least his sexual companionship. While in the forest glen, she states, "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion when ever I come near!" (Miller, Pg.1108). In the quote above, Abigail introduces John's fatal flaw that will follow him throughout the play. John struggled with becoming what he absolutely hated, a hypocrite. He had to overcome his loneliness and longing for companionship with Abigail in order to free himself from his sins. "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. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby." (Miller, Pg. 1109). This quote describes John's internal struggle and how he's trying refrain from sinning, while every other character, like Abigail for example, tends to be giving in to the sin that tempts them. As Act Two of the play begins, we meet John's wife Elizabeth. We're introduced to the dynamic of their relationship and how faulty it is. "Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin'. Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not move