I have chosen to direct Abigail Williams in this scene.
When Abigail first enters this scene, the first words spoken to her are ‘Oh? Let her come, let her come.’ Which are said by Parris. Abigail would lean out the door in a laid-back manor, then would tell Susanna, a nervous, hurried girl who was sent by doctor Griggs, and is a bit younger than Abigail, to come in. She should say this in quite a loud voice to show that she is confident, and telling Susanna what to do, as Abigail is older then her so will look down on her. She would also have here hand reaching out to Susanna, as another gesture to tell her to ‘come in’ When Susanna turns to go, Abigail eagerly tells her to ‘speak nothin’ of it in the village’ Her face expression would be a slightly worried look because she doesn’t want to be accused for making Betty ill, or having anything to witchcraft or the devil.
Abigail confessed to Parris “we did dance.” She told him that he could confess that, and that “I’ll be whipped if I must be.” Abigail denies everything else, as she doesn’t want to be blamed for Betty’s illness. Abigail tries to persuade Parris that “Betty is not witched.” She tells him that so she wouldn’t be accused of withcraft id she wasn’t ‘witched’ by now, Abigail would begin to get very nervous, as she doesn’t know what Parris is going to say or do next. Her voice would start to get weaker and she would gradually step away from Parris, but won’t make it obvious as she doesn’t want to show any signs of fear. As Parris tells Abigail to sit down, She would do as he says straight away and would be shaking as she sat down. She does not want to argue with Parris, as she is quite scared of him, and doesn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. Abigail says to Parris “I would never hurt Betty. I love her dearly” She would be very nervous with a definite weakness in her voice. I want Abigail to clasp her hands behind her back as if she was praying for Parris to stop shouting at her. Although Abigail seems to be very nervous, She would still be very angry and upset, just at the thought of being accused of hurting Betty. Things start to get more angry but Abigail will not be intimidated by what her uncle says, she stands up o him in an honest response.
Abigail starts to get in a temper with her uncle, reverend Parris. As she says the line “My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled!” She would point her finger at parries to show that she is in control and would not have anything said like that. As she says “Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!” I say it with meaning and persuasion.
After Parris’ conversation with Mrs Putnam, Parris continues to pray for Betty to get better. She says to him “Uncle, You’ve prayed since midnight. Why do you not go down and- “ Abigail tells him to stop praying because she knows that she caused Betty’s illness and knos that nothing could help her, not even praying. She would feel really guilty when saying that line. Abigail had great fear in her voice as she said the line “Betty? Now stop this! Betty! Sit up now!” She would go up to Betty and shake her quite hard until she woke. At this point, Abigail would look angry and annoyed because Betty wouldn’t wake, but she would also have a loud voice to show her anger and to also add tension. When mercy suggests to beat Betty, Abigail immediately puts her hand out to hold her back because Parris would be coming back up soon, and she wouldn’t want to be in any more trouble. Abigail told Mercy not to mention anything to them apart from that they danced. Mercy started to question Abigail, and she told her that “he knows Tituba conjured Ruth’s sisters to come out of the grave” and that “ He saw you naked.” Mercy gave a frightened laugh and was really shocked. Mary Warren enters and threatened to tell and sys that “you’ll only be whipped” But Abigail says “oh we’ll be whipped.” I would want Abigail to put strong emphasis on ‘we’ll.’
Betty starts to wimper and Abigail would turn to her immediately . She would tell her to ‘wake up now’ when she says this she would be really determined for her to wake yp, she should show this by shaking her furiously. Betty finally woke up, she was extremely frightened and shouted “I want my mama!” Abigail is very alarmed at what betty has just said and explains to her that “your mama’s dead and buried.” When she says that line, I would want Abigail to be very cautious and confused. She would say it in a firm voice while crying to pull Betty from the window. Betty starts screaming at Abigail and shouting, “You drank blood, Abby! You didn’t tell him that” Abigail would be furious with Betty at this point. She would also be very worried incase she told anyone in the village.
Throughout this section of the play it is very noticeable to me that Abigail is a very determined and persuasive young woman. She will do anything or sacrifice anyone to save herself or her reputation in the village. She is also very strong minded and has been involved in mischief by leading the girls astray.
