GCSE English Directors Notes on Act 4 of The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Twentieth Century Drama Coursework Assignment

Directors Notes on Act 4 of

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

As the Director of this play, I feel it is my responsibility to offer you advice on playing the character of John Proctor. I’m sure you’ll find it may help you to understand the character if you are aware of the social and historical context of the play.

The play is set in 1692 and is based upon the outbreak of accusations in Salem, Massachusetts. Arthur Miller wrote the play The Crucible, using the 17th-century case of witch trials (and fictionalising it) to comment on a 20th-century phenomenon—the hunting of communists as if they were witches. In 17th century Salem the inhabitants feared witchcraft, like America feared communism, both were exaggerated and both communities overreacted to an insignificant threat to their stability of life. Arthur Miller had always had a personal interest in the Salem Witch trials, but at the time he was writing the play, America was in the middle of the McCarthy political “Witch Hunt”. Miller himself was called up before a committee for signing petitions, and he began to notice many similarities between the two trials, such as the naming of names and public confessions. This has meant that his play is seen as a political parable.

In 1692, the colonists in Salem were Puritans and very protective of their particular religion and would tolerate no other. They felt threatened by those who were different, witches were the most extreme in difference to their way of life and so everything from death to a poor harvest was blamed on them.

Proctor is presented at the beginning of the play as a stern, harsh-tongued man, however, he is well respected in the village. We soon learn of his affair with Abigail, his servant, who was dismissed because Proctor’s wife found out about the affair. Proctor is involved in a disagreement about land and when he returns home in the evening it becomes apparent that he sees straight through the accusations of witchcraft being thrown about the village. Abby still loves John Proctor but her feelings for him are not returned. Proctor’s wife Elizabeth is found to be pregnant but some doubt this, but Proctor says his wife would never lie. Proctor convinces Mary to go to court and tell the court that it is all fraud, but Mary becomes frightened and says Proctor is the one who has allegiance to the Devil; Hale who clearly doubts the accusation quits the court.

Elizabeth goes to see Proctor to see if he will confess. As you first enter the stage, look down, at the floor as though you’re ashamed of what you have become.

“His wrists are chained. He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them.”

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Elizabeth goes to see Proctor to see if he will confess. As you first enter the stage, look down, at the floor as though you’re ashamed of what you have become.

“His wrists are chained. He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them.”

This will help emphasise the change that has overcome Proctor throughout the play. At the beginning he is one of the respected members of the community, now he has become a prisoner condemned to die like all the others accused of witchcraft. Not only that, but he no longer has his “good name” as he was forced to confess to his affair with Abigail. The fact he has his head down, will show the regret and shame that has burdened him since he admitted his affair at the trial.

After a short pause, look up at Elizabeth, hold her gaze, at first you still have that vague look as though you are beyond emotion, but gradually it is as though she has awakened something within you, you look searchingly into her eyes, as though to read each others mind.

“The emotion flowing between them prevents anyone speaking for a moment”

So many things have happened since Proctor last spoke to Elizabeth, I’d like this to be visible from the way you respond to each other in this first meeting. Their close, relationship should be apparent; I think your goal, as an actor should be to create the impression that they are speaking without words. Although Proctor has given up his reputation, one of the main themes of the play, he realises that he can still save his relationship with Elizabeth.

As Hale and Danforth leave the room keep eye contact with Elizabeth. When you are offered cider by Parris, pause then break the eye contact and give him a cold, and icy stare.

“Proctor turns an icy stare on him”

This cold stare should demonstrate Proctor’s pride; he will not bow to gracious offers of cider from the very people that have allowed him to be condemned for a crime he didn’t commit.

As you are left alone with Elizabeth you will both be held in one circle of light, the rest of the stage bathed in darkness. You stand for a second, before approaching Elizabeth looking directly at her. You stand increasingly close, until touching, then after a moment of intense silence let out half a shallow laugh and sit down. Elizabeth will join you and again there is silence as you give her, and she returns a searching look, as if there is so much to say, and you don’t know where to begin. You look down and then the tension breaks as you attempt to start a conversation. “The child?” You continue a halfhearted conversation with long silences between monosyllabic answers. Both of you sense the conversation is not getting anywhere. Elizabeth becomes visibly pained as you ask about the children and after a pause you say, “you are a marvel Elizabeth” respectfully, as you stand and come closer to her, she looks away, silent tears running down her face.

The second key moment in Act 4 is when Proctor has to respond to Elizabeth asking for forgiveness. He is already filled with guilt for what he has done to her, and to see her blaming it on herself would cause Proctor an immense amount of grief, he would be so upset by his sins affecting her, when he sees she has done nothing wrong.

“…It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery…”

Proctor could show this in the way he reacts, physically to her. As he says “enough, enough” he should look up at her as he says it, then down in shame. When Elizabeth talks of him taking her sins upon him, he should avoid her eyes and shout his response in anger, “I take my own, my own” As Elizabeth makes her final confession to Proctor, Proctor should keep approaching her as though longing to comfort her but she resists him till she has said all she wanted to say.Then after a moment of silence they again look at each other but this time it is a look of forgiveness. The both smile weakly as they know that they are both forgiven and Elizabeth lets John embrace her. As Hathorn enters Elizabeth makes a final plead with John as though she expects not to be able to talk to him again.

When you say you’ll confess, say it in an emotionless, hollow voice, and straight afterwards look down at the floor as though you know what your doing is wrong.

“I will have my life”

Proctor says he will have his life, it is Hathorn that says he will confess. Proctor wants it known that it is his life that he wants and a confession is merely the means getting it. After Proctor says it, he knows that is at the cost of his integrity, another theme of the play. Show this by staring blankly sometimes angrily as they rejoice at him confessing.

“It is evil, is it not?”

Proctor makes it very clear that the Hathorn, Danforth etc have left him no choice but do what is wrong, when they act pleased a his confession, use an irritated tone of voice to let them know that your confession is not genuine and that it is a sin in itself.

Proctor refuses to condemn any others, he does the minimum necessary to save his life, when asked to name others he looks angry, disgusted and refuses to name names. He tries to outsmart their questions, he doesn’t give them the answers they want, yet he doesn’t openly refuse the questions.

“They think to go like saints, I like not to spoil their names”

Use a tone of voice that conveys an obviously fake sense of authenticity, look down and answer their questions promptly as though trying to get things over as quickly as possible.

Proctor gradually realises the extent of what he is doing. In a serious of statements he begins to change his mind. As he refuses to hand over his confession he knows that he has now his integrity and that he has his goodness if he does not stoop to giving them his false confession.

“I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”

As you make your final speech, shed unashamed tears of relief, now at last you can hold your head high. Then as if you have found strength in the truth look straight on and show determination on your face. Stand tall and proud because you know you have done the right thing.

I have touched upon some of the main themes of the play in my advice to you. One of the ones I haven’t mentioned is that of accusations and confessions, both in and out of the courtroom. The entire witch trial system thrives on accusations, the only way that witches can be identified, and confessions, which provide the proof of the justice of the court proceedings. Proctor attempts to break this cycle with a confession of his own, when he admits to the affair with Abigail, but this confession is trumped by the accusation of witchcraft against him, which in turn demands a confession. Proctor's courageous decision, at the close of the play, to die rather than confess to a sin that he did not commit, finally breaks the cycle. The court collapses shortly afterward, undone by the refusal of its victims to propagate lies.

Another one of the plays themes relevant to Act 4 is Reputation. , Proctor seeks to keep his good name from being spoilt. Early in the play, he has a chance to put a stop to the girls' accusations, but his desire to preserve his reputation keeps him from testifying against Abigail. At the end of the play, however, Proctor's desire to keep his good name leads him to make the choice not to make a false confession and to die without signing his name to an untrue statement. "I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" he cries to Danforth. By refusing to ruin his name, he redeems himself for his earlier sins and dies with integrity, another theme of the play.

In conclusion, you should reflect in your representation of Proctor the many changes he goes through in this Act. From ashamed, to righteous as he denies the court a false confession. Proctor is honest and upright, but has made one mistake, which confessing to cost him his life. He is very proud and his integrity is very important to him, I wish you the very best of luck in playing this complex character on stage.