Later, as the action becomes intense, Corey risks his own life, in a courageous effort to safe the live of another. Giles refuses to name the man who gives him the information because he does not want to open him to Putnam's vengeance. "I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife's name once and I'll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute-(379). Giles knows by this time that anyone who opposes the system endangers himself, and he will not imperil another by naming him. Proctor follows this model later when he refuses to name other conspirators with the devil as part of his confession. Danforth arrests Giles for contempt of court. Stubborn to the end, Corey refuses either to confess or deny being a wizard, thereby dying a Christian and legally leaving his farm to his sons. Attempting to force either a confession or a denial, the authorities order his pressing. When Elizabeth goes to see John, she informs him of Giles death. When John asks if he were hanged, Elizabeth replies: "Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. 'More weight,' he says. And died" (410). Perceiving saintliness in Giles's death, Proctor explains to Elizabeth that he is not a saint, like Giles tries to be. Proctor has seen the wisdom and courage of the wise old man, but has not yet been able to incorporate these attributes into his own character. .
As one of the most courageous characters in the play, John Proctor is willing to lay down his life if need be to preserve his dignity. One's name is the most important thing to John Proctor. When Hale and Ezekiel Cheever, a man from Salem who acts as clerk of the court during the witch trials, come to take Elizabeth because her name is mentioned in the court as someone who practices witchcraft, John tries to do everything to protect Elizabeth and her dignity. Cheever has a warrant to search the Proctor's house; however, since John becomes angered by the notion his wife would even be considered a witch, he tears up the Deputy Governor's warrant and when Cheever confronts him about this, he says: "Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house!-(364).
