John Proctor: Hero or Stooge?

I feel John Proctor is a little bit on the hero side. He is brave enough to die for the truth, instead of being saved on false confession. Now that is what a real man is made of, standing up for the truth no matter what cause. But in this moment, it is of life and death. Personally, dying for the truth is something I would not consider because life is too vital to quit. Live it till the end, not waste your last moments imprisoned under the truth when you can be released by false confession. But Proctor has major guts to commit to his mind and what he believes in. Kudos to him though. I don't think people of my type would not be able to do so.