heroics oedipus rex vs john proctor (the crucible)

A detailed Summary of heroics oedipus rex vs john proctor (the crucible)


While the two books we are about to discuss here are both similar in several aspects such as fate and human error they are also very different in that the climate of both pieces differs greatly in that of the time period in which they are set and the situations in which both men are placed in. The ways in which they are heroic as such is also different; as leaders, as men or even as just people who existed and fought to overcome a particular situation in their own way or to the best of their capabilities. Thus here we have a closer look at the exact reasons for which we call these men heroes and thus conclude whether or the amount of their worthiness each has of the title of hero.

Oedipus Rex is set the time of Ancient Greece during the time of myth and legend, where gods and seers come into play to wreak havoc in the lives of mortals on earth. In this case, Oedipus Rex was born the son of the king and queen of a Greek city. Upon his birth, it was pronounced that he would one day kill his father and marry his mother. In fear, the king immediately called that the child be removed and instructed one of his men to kill him. However, the man had no heart for such a cruel deed and abandoned the baby instead. He was la


The Crucible was based on the lives of the early American settlers and mainly on a particular incident- the famous Salem trials where many innocent people were accused of witchcraft and hanged for refusing to confess to a deed which they had not committed. It was also loosely based on the case of Senator Macarthy, in which on many of his by-now notorious campaign he accused many of the opposition parties' members to be endorsers of communism to gain the support of the people and thus, more votes. John Proctor, a farmer and significantly respected member of the community, has an affair with his maidservant, the beautiful and devious eighteen year old Abigail Williams. His wife, a good loving but cold staunch Christian woman by named Elizabeth, discovers this and dismisses her. This comes back to haunt them when the vindictive and spurned girl decides to take her revenge by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft when she becomes embroiled in charges herself. Abby then 'comes forward' and claims to have seen Elizabeth Proctor with the devil in the hope that then she may have John for herself. But although John may have some feelings for Abby, he loves his wife more deeply and goes on a rampage, trying all that is possible to prove her innocence. In the process of his untiring attempts to free her, the affair comes to light and John's name is destroyed. But worse still, Elizabeth, not knowing that her husband has already confessed it, lies about her knowledge of it, thinking that it will save her husband's reputation. It destroys her credibility in court and she is sentenced. John is also sent to hang when Mary Warren, turns against him and says that he is in league with the devil. Elizabeth is temporarily spared from hanging as she is with child and is asked to plead with John so that he may lie to save his own life. But in the end he will not tell a lie to save himself in the knowledge that it is not the truth and he dies.

ter found, raised and grew into a strong and intelligent young man. One day, when Oedipus was walking along a road outside the city he ran into the king, whom at the time he did not recognise nor did the king recognise him. Under the provocation of the king and his men, Oedipus drew his sword and unknowingly killed the king and his men, leaving only one survivor to this incident. Soon after, Oedipus chanced upon a city in trouble with the deadly powerful sphinx- the same city that belonged to his parents- and using his intelligence solved the riddle required to ascertain the freedom of the people. He then became the ruler of the land, taking his mother as his wife, once again without the knowledge that he had fulfilled the destiny that the seer had predicted at his birth. When he found out about the curse and then discovered the body of his mother and wife- she hanging herself in her anguish when she found out too- he blinded himself with her dresspins. He was subsequently banished from the land.

John Proctor is perceived very differently f

Some common words found in the essay are:
John Proctor, Oedipus Rex, Mary Warren, Soon Oedipus, John John, , Abigail Williams, Senator Macarthy, Ancient Greece, oedipus rex, john proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, lie save, accusing elizabeth witchcraft, accusing elizabeth, hope john, solved riddle, prove innocence, hero oedipus, king recognise, elizabeth witchcraft,

Approximate Word count = 2025
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

join now Save Paper



Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.