Discuss the role played by the main characters in ‘The Crucible’ that lead to the events in Salem

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Discuss the role played by the main characters in 'The Crucible' that lead to the events in Salem

General Introduction

The crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller, which is set in Salem in 1692. Arthur Miller has written other books such as 'The Misfits' and 'The Last Yankee' and a whole variety of other plays. His genre is mainly drama. He also won a Tony Award for 'The Crucible' in 1953. This is based on a true story.

It is based in Salem and it is based on true events that happened in 1692. In these events a number of girls accused the community. 'The crucible' is based on themes of witchcraft, political motivation, affairs, power, accusations and corruption.

The story is based on how a small community of Salem is stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia and hatred, building into a violent climax, on a savage attack on the evils of tedious persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations.

Main part of the essay

The main characters that I will be analysing are Abigail Williams, John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend John Hale, Reverend Parris and Judge Danforth.

Abigail Williams is about 18 years old although historically her age has been increased. Abigail Williams is Reverend Parris's niece and ward. Abigail used to be the Proctor's housemaid, but was dismissed and now has no position.

Abigail's main contributions to the events are that she leads Tituba and her friends to dance and conjure spirits in the forest at the start of the play. She also has had an affair with John Proctor and she tries to tempt him into continuing that affair. Abigail Williams is the main cause of the nonsense that has been stirred up, Abigail is the one that leads the girls in the witch-hunt that engulfs Salem.

Abigail is a bully, a sadistic bully, we know this because in the play she says that " I saw Indians smash my dear parents heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down". Abigail is also very manipulative, 'Now look you. All of you. We danced, and Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam's dead sisters. And that is all'. She says this to scare the girls and to make sure that the girls don't tell anyone that they are lying. Abigail also loves to be the centre of attention, 'I want to open myself! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil: I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! In saying this Abigail starts blaming people from the community. Although Abigail is a bully she is also very passionate about John Proctor, 'I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near! ... And you loved me then and you do now! Abigail tries to do anything in the world to get what she wants: she wants Elizabeth Proctor out of the picture. When Reverend Hale starts to blame Abigail she deflects the attention to Tituba by saying it was Tituba's fault, 'She made me do it! She made Betty do it!'
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The next key character that plays an important role in The Crucible is John Proctor. John Proctor is a 35-year-old farmer. He is the husband of Elizabeth Proctor and he is a father of three kids.

In the Crucible John has an affair with Abigail; he is also responsible for exposing Abigail. In the end he gets hanged because he doesn't give in to Judge Danforth.

Although John doesn't tell Elizabeth about committing adultery and in a way he is still an honest man because he tells the truth, ' I have known her sir. I ...

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