Examples Of Betrayal In The Crucible

Through the Salem witch trials, twenty-four innocent people lost their lives due to betrayal. They were hung because they were accused and found to be guilty of witchcraft. In reality, everyone that was accused and had died were innocent, but used as targets by others to save their own lives. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, out of fear, Abigail Williams, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, and Reverend Hale betrayed their morals to save themselves. As a result of betrayal, lives were taken, relationships were ruined, and trusts were broken. Out of fear, Abigail betrayed Tituba, Sarah Good, Goody Osburn, and Mary Warren. While in the court in Salem, Hale was questioning Abigail about what had happened in the woods the night before. Reverend Parris,

Hale was the only character out of the others that didn’t try to save his life. He tried to save others’ lives. Abigail betrayed Tituba by accusing her of witchcraft and making her drink blood. She betrayed Sarah Good and Goody Osburn, when she said she saw them with the devil, which sent them to jail and later, the gallows. Abigail betrayed Mary by accusing her of sending a cold wind at her, a shadow, and a yellow bird while in the court. Mary betrayed John by telling the judges that he made her sign her name in the Devil’s book. As a result, he was later hung. Mercy betrayed Mary and Parris. She joined in on convincing the judges that Mary was sending wind at her, causing her to, ‘freeze,’ and a bird at her and the other girls as well as Abigail. Hale betrayed the court as well as his own religious beliefs. Hale betrayed the court, trying to save John, and prevent more hangings, which was against the court’s request. He betrayed his beliefs of religion because he no longer had faith in a religion that allowed the church to hang innocent people. As a result of fear and betrayal, twenty-four innocent people died in the Salem witch