The town of Salem, Massachusetts, is sent into turmoil when rumors of witches are spread. These rumors are encouraged, willingly and unwillingly, by a few. The stories of witches are fired by retribution, mistakes of the past, and a desire for power. Arthur Miller, author of The Crucible shows how the town reacts to the rumors and how fear blinds them from what’s right and wrong. Three distinct people in Salem run the trials. As the story progresses, these three people’s pasts and presents continue to fuel the widespread panic in the town. Whether these people are purposely trying to create drama in Salem, or exercise power, they all contribute. The witch trials of Salem in The Crucible are lead by Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Judge Danforth.
Out of spite, Abigail Williams willingly leads the Salem witch trials. Pretending to be afflicted, she throws person after person into harm’s way, only by creating a story in which they hurt her. Through all this, her secret desire is to kill John Proctor’s wife. She feels that he loves her, and wants to be with her. In court, John Proctor confesses his affair with Abigail. This means that he admits to a punishable sin in court, hurting his own pride in order to have Abigail stopped. He claims that it is Abigail’s retaliation against him for saying he does not love her is the reason she is running the trails. He says, “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave... But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands (110)”. John Proctor sacrifices his dignity in order to prove what Abigail’s purpose is. She is angry with John that he does not leave his wife for her. She cannot see that John never loved her, only lusted after her when his wife was sick. Abigail Williams is responsible for the witch trials as a leader, encouraging and promoting the execution of innocent citizens.
John Proctor plays a key role in the witch trials of Salem, although unwillingly. Had he not slept with Abigail, she would not be confused over his emotions. He encouraged her at times, leading her on, only to tell her that their relationship simply was a mistake. Although he meant it, Abigail felt that he loved her truly. In the book, Elizabeth tells John he must tell the court that Abigail told him the witches were pretend. Elizabeth then tells him as it is, and the consequences his actions could lead to, “You’ll tear it free- when you come to know that I will be your only wife, or no wife at all! She has an arrow in you yet, John Proctor, and you know it well (62)”! Elizabeth realizes that her life could be in danger if John does not break off any connection he has with Abigail. John is responsible for the witch trials because he continues to lead Abigail on, so she hopes she can end his wife’s life in order to be with him.
Judge Danforth is a highly respected court official, brought in from Boston to help with the witch trials. He seems to be blinded by the power he has received. When he has a person on trial, he gives them little way to get out of being accused. This means bringing up things that have happened in the past, and making them look like they were related to the Devil in some way. When John Proctor is on trial, Danforth gives him no escape. He allows him no way to prove himself innocent by asking a rhetorical question, “Will you confess yourself befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet? What say you (119)”? The unjust court system Danforth set up allows people to confess to allegiances with the Devil, or die in their innocence. They do not allow for proving innocence. For this reason, Judge Danforth is responsible for the Salem witch trials.
Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Judge Danforth encourage the acts of the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail does this out of vengeance. The desire to be with John is so strong that she believes if she kills his wife, he will be happy with her. John Proctor’s mistake leads to the witch trials as well. Had he turned Abigail away immediately, she never would have started the lies. Danforth’s power he had been given made him immune to the innocence of the town. If he had not been so persistent to kill, then he could have seen that the people of Salem were not witches. Responsibility of the Salem Witch Trials lay on three people, who all lead in different ways.
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