The Crucible Analysis
The Crucible
Reading plays and watching them being performed live on a stage provide two very different representations of the same idea, with one highlighting themes that the other might understate or vice versa. While reading The Crucible, I found that I while I could easily sympathise with Proctor and his wife, I did not emotionally connect to the other convicted characters, such as Giles Corey or Goody Nurse. However, after watching The Crucible performed on stage, I realised that I felt much more connected to the other characters as well, and putting a face to the people who were being convicted allowed me to feel more sympathy towards them. The characterisation of the characters in The Crucible was only a small part of the whole production leading to a better understanding of the play and emphasising the dominant reading, with other factors including lighting, costumes, and symbolism, to mention a few.
Some of the characterisation in the play includes that of the main antagonist, Abigail Williams. While in the presence of her uncle/the judges of the court, Abigail is portrayed to be meek and timid; the expected behaviour of a traditional Salem woman. However, her true character/personality is revealed when she is in the presence of only the girls (that were with her in the forest) or even John Proctor. From this, we can observe that Abigail’s character is in fact extremely intelligent and cunning, and this is emphasised as the play goes on, and she escapes the Salem trials without even a scratch.
Another character that was distinct in the performance of The Crucible was Danforth, the head judge of the trials. The first thing to notice about his character was his accent, which was quite posh and distinguished, implying superiority and indicating a well-educated, powerful man. His poise also emphasised his power, with his erect posture and slow pacing with hands clasped behind his back, he exuberated a certain confidence, again adding to that sense of
Reading plays and watching them being performed live on a stage provide two very different representations of the same idea, with one highlighting themes that the other might understate or vice versa. While reading The Crucible, I found that I while I could easily sympathise with Proctor and his wife, I did not emotionally connect to the other convicted characters, such as Giles Corey or Goody Nurse. However, after watching The Crucible performed on stage, I realised that I felt much more connected to the other characters as well, and putting a face to the people who were being convicted allowed me to feel more sympathy towards them. The characterisation of the characters in The Crucible was only a small part of the whole production leading to a better understanding of the play and emphasising the dominant reading, with other factors including lighting, costumes, and symbolism, to mention a few.
Some of the characterisation in the play includes that of the main antagonist, Abigail Williams. While in the presence of her uncle/the judges of the court, Abigail is portrayed to be meek and timid; the expected behaviour of a traditional Salem woman. However, her true character/personality is revealed when she is in the presence of only the girls (that were with her in the forest) or even John Proctor. From this, we can observe that Abigail’s character is in fact extremely intelligent and cunning, and this is emphasised as the play goes on, and she escapes the Salem trials without even a scratch.
Another character that was distinct in the performance of The Crucible was Danforth, the head judge of the trials. The first thing to notice about his character was his accent, which was quite posh and distinguished, implying superiority and indicating a well-educated, powerful man. His poise also emphasised his power, with his erect posture and slow pacing with hands clasped behind his back, he exuberated a certain confidence, again adding to that sense of