Final answer:
The protagonist of 'The Crucible' is John Proctor, who faces both personal and societal conflicts, and the antagonist is primarily Abigail Williams, alongside the oppressive societal conditions of Salem.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the protagonist is John Proctor, a principled farmer who lives in Salem, Massachusetts during the time of the witch trials. Proctor is the focal point of the conflict within the play, as he battles both his internal guilt over an affair with Abigail Williams and the external pressures from the witch trials engulfing the community. A deeply flawed but ultimately noble character, Proctor embodies the theme of personal integrity and moral courage in the face of mass hysteria.
The antagonist in The Crucible is a bit more complex, as it could be argued that there are several opposing forces. Abigail Williams, the leader of the girls who accuse others of witchcraft, can be seen as a clear antagonist, since her lies and manipulations fuel the witch trials and pose a direct threat to Proctor and others. However, the cultural climate of fear, superstition, and theocracy in Salem itself acts as a broader antagonist, creating an environment where reason is overthrown by irrationality and where the protagonist must struggle not just against individuals but against an entire system of injustice.