Maximus vs John Proctor

Many people are forced into a position that makes them stand up for a cause. John Proctor from Arthur Miller's The Crucible and Maximus from Warrens Film Gladiator, were two characters that evolved into activists. During the Roman Empire Maximus reluctantly became a glorious gladiator who fought for his country , the revenge of his family and his freedom. John Proctor's guilt drives him to stand up to the mass hysteria that is happening in his town, Salem.

The Crucible took place during the Salem witch trails. Abigail Williams is the cause of everything that was going on. One night she and several other girls along with Tutumba, a voodoo worshiper, were dancing around a fire naked. She was caught by her uncle and told him that Tutumba put her on a spell that caused her to act that way. The lie she told her uncle turned into something very big. She began to accuse other well respected people and the town of being witched. The people in the town could do nothing but believe what was being told. And honorable man, Danforth describes the court as; "You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." Anyone who was accused of doing witchcraft was trapped int

Maximus role as an Activist is generated from his family. Maximus Kills the soldiers that are sent out to kill him, but becomes seriously wounded. Maximus then travels many miles, seriously wounded to save his family. He arrives too late and discovers them dead and hung. He desperately cries out for his family and tries to submit to death. While he is sleeping he is taken prisoner as a gladiator.

o admitting because their other choice would be death.

Abigail had sad feelings toward Proctors wife, Elizabeth, because she was jealous of her. In a desperate attempt, Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft so she can have Proctor for herself if Elizabeth is found guilty and hanged. Elizabeth refuses to give into the accusations because she is a Christian woman who cannot lie. Proctor felt the accusations of Elizabeth were his fault, because of affair with Abigail and because he did not say anything sooner. He tells the court about his affair with Abigail and the confession Abigail told him. Soon Proctor is accused of doing witchcraft. His choices are to be hung or confess. He refuses to confess because he knows the truth. Since others looked up to Proctor their minds began to change and they see that the accusations they thought were once true were only lies. Unlike the others of Salem, Proctor does not give in. He has put aside the pride of his name and confessed to something he was so shameful. Proctor almost gives in to confessing to the witchcraft. He admits and then is asked to sign his name on a document. Proctor refused because his name is all he has. "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" He realizes that all he ever wanted