But I will cut off my hand before I’ll reach for you again. He realizes his relationship with her was immoral and despicable, and so tells her forcefully, Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. A prime example of this is when he ceases to commit lechery with Abigail. Throughout the play, Proctor also demonstrates the desire act for moral reasons. Proctor himself admitted that one of the Ten Commandments is, Thou shalt not bear false witness, and confessing in court to something that is a lie is a direct violation of this, no matter the reason for doing so. This is an understandable lie to tell, however it is once again acting out of self-interest rather than morality. He also confesses to this in writing, although he then proceeds to tear and crumple the paper. To accomplish this, when asked if he bound himself to the Devil’s services, he answers, I did. He tells Judge Hathorne mere hours before his hanging, I want my life… I will have my life. Another example of Proctor’s self-interest conflicting with his moral beliefs is when he wishes to confess to witchcraft, a crime he did not commit, to the General Court in order to save his life.
All parties were victims of an immense pain that arose from the situation. He did this, however, not only at the expense of his wife, but at that of himself and Abigail, as well. Rather than abiding by his morals, he thought selfishly of the short-term and broke the Ten Commandments.
He admits to her, Abby, I may think of you softly time to time and confesses to the General Court, I have known her, sir. The first of these examples is when he commits adultery with Abigail Williams. There are many instances in the play where Proctor acts or desires to act according to his self- interest. This contrast encompasses Miller’s message that one must search within oneself to do what is right and not what is expedient. Throughout the play, he is strongly conflicted between the desire to act upon self-interest and the desire to be a moral man. He is a well-regarded man in the community who commits adultery and is found guilty of witchcraft. John Proctor is the protagonist in Arthur Miller’s drama about witchcraft in Salem, The Crucible.
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