![]() And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly- mark this- I could pray again!” (Miller, 40). Corey places suspicion of witchery on his wife Martha, claiming “…last night – mark this – I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. Throughout the play, Giles emerges from being a stubborn, foolish old man to a true and honorable hero, showing respect for his wife and sons when he withstands the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. Giles is introduced as a man “knotted with muscle, canny, inquisitive, and still powerful” (Miller 31). Miller depicts true heroism through this character. ![]() Mary’s weak will and timid nature are factors that cause her to feed the play’s theme of hysteria, how people will succumb to pressures in society.Īn additional character that hints at the devastation in a town of hysteria is Giles Corey. When Mary does get accused of witchcraft by the girls, she panics under pressure and reacts by breaking down and pointing a finger at Proctor, claiming “you’re the Devil’s man!…he wakes me every night…and I sign…” (Miller 80). I am an official of the court” (Miller 58). Warren takes advantage of the hysteria when it gives her a sense of pride and status in society, as she had evolved from being a nobody to being an official in court, claiming “…It’s God’s work we do. As a result of her motivations, Mary goes to court determined to testify that the girls were pretending until she realizes “They’ll turn on me! I cannot do it!” (Miller 80). Mary is one of few souls that have knowledge of the affair, and she is motivated by her fear of what Abigail is capable of doing to her if she spoke word of it, as well as her fear of getting in trouble. Witchery’s a hangin’ error…We must tell the truth, Abby!” (Miller 147). Mary’s innocence and fearfulness show when she feels guilty about the girls’ activity in the woods, saying “Abby, we’ve got to tell. In contrast to a manipulative character such as Abigail, Mary Warren is “…a subservient, lonely girl” (Miller 25), more innocent and obedient. Mary Warren, a pawn in the ploy Abigail concocts to replace Elizabeth, is Miller’s way of showing through a character that being swept up in mass hysteria can cause even the most good-hearted people to commit destructive acts. Through a character as agressive and cunning as the young Abigail Williams, Miller portrays how power hungry individuals will destroy everything in their path to get what they want. She then takes advantage of the hysteric environment to later accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft and have Elizabeth arrested. Abigail expresses her strong dislike toward Goody Proctor by referring to her as “it” (Miller 11). It is learned that Abigail is jealous of John Proctor’s wife Elizabeth as she claims in Act I, “…it is a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman!” (Miller 11). Motivated by wanting John Proctor all to herself and having witnessed the brutal murder of her parents, Abigail is selfish and manipulative, which is seen when she tries to guilt John into continuing their affair, guilting him with the words “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity me!” (Miller 24). Miller provides perfect details which support her role as one of the true villains. The most intriguing character in the play is antagonist Abigail Williams, the force responsible for putting the witch hysteria into action. Several characters in The Crucible take that advantage and thrive on the phenomenon. An environment is established in which characters can act out on grudges. Throughout the play, hysteria regarding witchcraft spreads about the town of Salem.
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