Many people live their lives consumed by guilt over things they have done in the past. John Proctor had everything an average Puritan could want: a successful farm to work tirelessly on, three children to discipline, and a beautiful wife to build a home with. Proctor was a great guy who spoke his mind. In the city his name was synonymous with honor and integrity. He took pleasure in exposing hypocrisy and was respected for it. Above all, John Proctor respected himself. Then came Abigail Williams, with whom he made the mistake of his life. John made the mistake of committing adultery with her. To make matters worse, it was also lust, as Proctor was in his forties and Abigail was only seventeen. All it took was one shameful encounter to destroy John's most precious asset: his self-respect. John Proctor is extremely guilty of his affair with Abigail. He confessed this guilt in court. The prosecutor's confession only succeeds in leading to her arrest and conviction as a witch. She doesn't admit to being a witch and doesn't want to write the confession. He doesn't want to lie because he knows he shouldn't. Instead he would rather be hanged than lie and lose his respectability in society. Another character who displays this trait would be Mr. Putnam. He was very greedy and wanted more and more land. He accused many people of witchcraft and, once they were hanged, he would buy their lands. Thomas Putnam uses the witch trials to increase his wealth. Mr. Putnam accused George Jacobs of witchcraft in order to purchase Jacob's land. Giles Corey claims that a credible witness heard Putnam make an incriminating statement. However, when Corey refuses to name the witness for fear that he will be arrested, Danforth imprisons Corey. Corey was held in contempt of court and went to prison because of this. Him