Abigail Williams Character Analysis

In the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams has a major effect on the Salem witch trials. She plays a major role in the development of the plot of the story and is the main antagonist as well. It is learned in Act I that she has had an affair with John Proctor and that she is accusing others, later including his wife, of witchcraft. Abigail is not only in love and had an affair with a man that is already married, she gets innocent people killed with her false accusations and runs away instead of dealing with the repercussions of her actions. In the beginning of the play, Abigail is first introduced with the other girls of the town dancing around the fire. Described as “a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an endless capacity for dissembling” (Miller 1219). This description gets more accurate as time goes on when she tries to be an innocent child who does nothing wrong but then accuses dozens of people of witchcraft, essentially sending them to their deaths. She cares more about herself then the saving of lives of innocent people. Completely self-oriented is the only accurate way to describe her, for she only cares for herself.
Most of the people that are left in the town and even the court are starting to believe that she is lying. When given the chance she takes all of Reverend Parris’ money and is suspected of getting on a ship and leaving. “Excellency, I think they be aboard a ship? Danforth stands agape. My daughter tells me how she heard them speaking of ships last week, and tonight I discover my-my strongbox is broke into.” (1265) There is no possible way that Abigail could have lived a full life after running away. Any normal person would have the guilt of being the main factor in the taking of another’s life resting on their shoulders. According to her beliefs she broke major rules. Not only did she dance, but she committed murder or at least a had a role in it, and lied multiple times. She essentially bought herself a one way ticket to eternity with the devil and there is no possible way there is anything other than that in her