The definition of a hero is "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave and noble qualities" (Dictorionary.com). When most people think of a hero they think of Superwoman and Spiderman, or maybe even Captain America. Although most people associate the word here with these fictional characters with super natural abilities, a hero can be just about anyone. In Salem, Massachusetts at the dawn of the seventeenth century was a man who courageously challenged authority and stood up for what he believed in. In Arthur Miller's playwright The Crucible, a Puritan farmer named John Proctor attempts to defend himself and his wife against fatal allegations amidst a witchcraft hysteria. Besides John Proctor's prior affair with a mistress that he overcomes, he is a hero because he defends and sacrifices his life for his family, and stands up for what he believes in despite going against a common belief. Although John Proctor knows he has strained his relationship with his wife Elizabeth through an affair, Proctor still decides to protect the well being of his wife. Proctor is a hero because although it was easy to fall under Abigail's plan to jealously kills Elizabeth, he refused to let it happen and stood up for his spouse. In the beginning of the play it is obvious John Proctor likes Abigail and still has serious feelings for her "I have thought of her [Abigail] softly  (110) . Even though his strong feelings for Abigail are present in the beginning of the play, Proctor grows to become honorable in the name of his wife that he had previously wronged. When Abigail starts to refer to John Proctor's wife as "sickly, cold, and sniveling Proctor responds, "You'll speak nothing of Elizabeth  (I.202-204). Also, when Abigail threatens John to testify against his wife in court for witchcraft, he defensively threatens her and says, "you will have it so, so I will tell it...You will tell the court you are blind to spirit; you cannot see them anymore ¦ or I will make you famous for the whor