What happens to John Proctor?

John Proctor is a tragic hero who ends up being publicly hanged at the end of the play and dies a martyr in an attempt to undermine the corrupt Salem court. In act one, the audience discovers that John has committed adultery with Abigail Williams, who is still very much attracted to and in love with him. In order to have John to herself, Abigail falsely accuses Elizabeth, John Proctor's wife, of witchcraft. After Elizabeth is falsely accused of witchcraft and arrested, John forces Mary Warren to testify that Abigail and her followers are liars. John also challenges the court by presenting Deputy Governor Danforth with a petition on the behalf of Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha.
After Giles Corey is arrested, John Proctor sacrifices his reputation by confessing that he has committed adultery with Abigail Williams, in an attempt to tarnish her public image and put an end to the witch trials. Tragically, Elizabeth is brought before the court to validate her husband's testimony, and she lies in order to save his reputation. Proctor is then arrested for attempting to undermine the court, and he struggles with the decision to offer a false confession or die a martyr. Proctor chooses the latter, tearing his confession in front of the court officials, and dies a martyr. He hopes that his death will incite a rebellion that will put an end to the corrupt witch trials. The play ends as John Proctor is led to the gallows with his integrity intact and a clean conscience.

John Proctor engages in an illicit affair with Abigail. Abigail is Parris’s niece and served as the Proctors house servant. Elizabeth learns about the affair and fires Abigail. John ends the relationship with Abigail and seeks forgiveness from his wife. Abigail, feeling dejected, implicates Elizabeth during the witch trials through a poppet that Mary Warren had made for Elizabeth.
John tries to gather evidence to help his wife. However, the situation gets worse after John himself is implicated in the witch trials. He is arrested and tortured by the officials for his confession. He almost confesses and even makes a written confession. He is promised his life if he confesses; however, at the last minute, he grabs his confession and destroys it. By his actions, John’s fate is sealed, and he is set for execution.