Hero or EssstOOge?

As one of the main characters in this crazy play, John Proctor as a big secret, his lust for Abigail. When he speaks directly to Abigail to 'set her straight' it seems that he is very protecting of his title (as many in the play). Proctor doesn't want Abby to open her mouth about their affair or to point Elizabeth out as a witch. Proctor known Abigail is going to do something horrible and tries to stop her, but fails. Then during Mary Warner's testimony he tries to speak out and call Abby a fraud, but without telling them about their affair. He fails AGAIN. And then he tells the court the truth about him being an adulterer, that results in him getting killed. To me it seems that he is a hero. In the end he spoke out. He decided not to sign the public confession of adultery and live. It may seems that he was tried to only protect his title, but i don't see it that way. I see it as Proctor trying to save his personal integrity and enter cleanly into heaven (as Abby yelled at the end). Not only that but if he confessed to it then it would dishonor the other prisoners who are going to die as witnesses to the truth. Yup. I'm deep like that.