Before the play takes place, Abigail Williams and John Proctor had an affair while Abigail was working as a servant in their home. Eventually, John confessed and apologized to Elizabeth, pledging his faithfulness to her. Nonetheless, at the time the play takes place, Elizabeth still hasn't fully forgiven him, and gives him a hard time about it. Abigail confessed the pretense of her accusations to him when they were alone, and now he has no way to prove that she's lying to the court. But because he was alone with her again, Elizabeth becomes angry with him. She still doubts her husband because she feels that if it were any other girl he had to go testify against, he would not hesitate. But, because it's Abigail, John feels he has to think harder on making a decision. He doesn't want his name spoiled by a counter-testimony. John feels he is now justified in becoming angry because for the seven months since his confession, he has done nothing but try to please his wife, and she still approaches him with suspicion and accusations. Proctor feels that she will "forget nothin' and forgive nothin'." Elizabeth argues back that he then shouldn't do anything to make her suspicious. This is a trial on their true love, and at that time, things aren't going well. It will take love, trust and forgiveness for the marriage to survive.
The major test for Elizabeth Proctor surfaces during when John appears in court to try to uncover Abigail's falseness. None of his tactics were working to convince the judges; they didn't believe