How Does Abigale Create Tension In Act 1 Of The Crucible

What is a tragic hero? The most common definition of a tragic hero is a literary character that displays characteristics of bravery and courage, yet is destined to downfall. Often times, these characters have a tragic flaw which leads to the ultimate collapse of the hero. In Arthur Miller’s tragic play, The Crucible, John Proctor is a good, well-respected man, however he has one fatal flaw. His secret affair with Abigail Williams spurred the jealousy that Abigail has towards Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s wife.

“ I have seen them through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief ”. ( Miller 147) Rebecca Nurse has seen the silly season one too many times, but is this situation the children's silly season? Whether it was their silly season for the children or true witchcraft, the Salem Witchcraft Trials all revolved around 17- year old Abigail Williams. When Abigail feels threatened by Betty Parris, everything changes, for one slip up of the truth could end Abigail Williams.

Although Abigail Williams does not physically appear in Act 2, her presence is felt throughout The Crucible. She affects and hurts the lives of her family. She is the main source of trouble. If she wants something, she'll get it. At the beginning, there is a lot of closeness between her and the proctor family.

“You have confessed yourself to witchcraft, and that speaks a wish to come to Heaven’s side. And we will bless you, Tituba.” (pg. 49, Hale) The effect of confession on the play is it gets everyone in trouble if they are lying.

In many plays and books, characters tend to go through different types of conflict. These conflicts include external and internal. An external conflict is a struggle between a person and an outside force; an internal conflict is a mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses within a person or character. "The Crucible" is a play written by Arthur Miller, based on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. This play is about a married man, John Proctor, who has an affair with a young adolescent named Abigail Williams.

In The Crucible, that character of John Proctor is an arrogant, stubborn man who got caught “with his hand in the cookie jar” and ended up paying the well-deserved, ultimate price for his actions. Throughout the book there are examples of his arrogance and stubbornness as he interacts with his wife, Elizabeth Procter, his mistress Abigail Williams, and the larger Salem community. John Proctor, both in the book and real life, prances around doing whatever he pleases and expects no consequences. For example, here is a quote from “John Proctor: First Male Accused Witch” article, “Various witnesses testified that Proctor threatened or admitted to beating several people involved in the witch trials” (Brooks P16). This shows how arrogant John is

In The Crucible, there could be many suspects to blame for the innocent deaths that happened in Salem. Proctor could be blamed for the innocent deaths because he lied about his affair with Abigail. Speaking of Abigail... in my opinion Abigail Williams is the one to blame for the innocent deaths because of the lies she told, the accusations she made, and the affair she had with John Proctor. Abigail Williams told many, many lies in The Crucible. The reason the witch trials began in the first place was because of the lie she told about being in the woods.

The dictionary defines a crucible as a place or occasion of severe tests or trials. During the late seventeenth century, many places around the world began to have an increased fear of the supernatural. Witch trials sparked by these fears brought great pressure upon all involved. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the people of Salem were placed under a lot of pressure as the witch trials were occurring. With pressure mounting, three men from the story each struggled in a different manner; Parris becoming fearful and cowardly, Hale undergoing a change in character, and Proctor taking a stand for what he believed to be right.

The whole town has gone crazy with the thought of witchcraft. The town and its government has killed innocent people and ruined families. This is the setting of Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. Johns emotions have been captured and have shifted throughout the book from fear to redemption. John Proctor is a very thought of man with lots of land in Salem, his wife Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft and in order to prove her innocence he tries everything.

Denis Diderot once said, “we swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.” This quote relates to The Crucible in the way it states that people will be accept any lie that helps them in any way. Like Mary, who went along with the lies just so she wouldn't get in trouble. Also, how it states we don't accept the truth if we don't like it relating to Danforth knowing the girl were lying, but going along with it because he didn't like it. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Miller utilizes Biblical references and irony to emphasize the recurring theme that lying is okay as long as you get away unscathed, because of reputation and revenge and the effects it has on everyone in Salem.