The Crucible Literary Essay
The Crucible Literary Essay
Most of the times, when readers read about a character in a book or a play, there is a fine line that separates the character from being a victim to being a villain. In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”, many people may argue that the antagonist, Abigail Williams is a victim of circumstance because after all, she only wanted to be with the man she loves. However her actions and malicious character traits led to the death and misery of many innocent people, making her the villain of the tragic play. Abigail commits many sins and manipulates many people so she can prevent herself from getting in trouble. It all began when she committed adultery.
According to the Old Testament, lust is one of the seven deadly sins. Abigail’s lust for John Proctor provokes her to commit adultery with John who is married to Elizabeth. Even though John Proctor isn’t free of blame, Abigail has more responsibility for the affair. After John Proctor realizes that it is wrong to have an affair behind Elizabeth’s back, he tells Abigail “ Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched.” (Miller, 23) But Abigail says: “You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you loved me yet.” (Miller, 24) She tries to convince John to be with her even though she knows it is wrong. She thinks John will be with her if his wife is gone and tries to curse Elizabeth when she is in the woods dancing with Tituba and other girls. Then she tries to manipulate other girls to help her get what she wants.
Abigail is very manipulative. After being accused of witchcraft when she was caught dancing in the forest, she manipulates other girls to do as she says to avoid getting in trouble. At the beginning of Act I, Abigail says to the girls:
Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the
Most of the times, when readers read about a character in a book or a play, there is a fine line that separates the character from being a victim to being a villain. In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”, many people may argue that the antagonist, Abigail Williams is a victim of circumstance because after all, she only wanted to be with the man she loves. However her actions and malicious character traits led to the death and misery of many innocent people, making her the villain of the tragic play. Abigail commits many sins and manipulates many people so she can prevent herself from getting in trouble. It all began when she committed adultery.
According to the Old Testament, lust is one of the seven deadly sins. Abigail’s lust for John Proctor provokes her to commit adultery with John who is married to Elizabeth. Even though John Proctor isn’t free of blame, Abigail has more responsibility for the affair. After John Proctor realizes that it is wrong to have an affair behind Elizabeth’s back, he tells Abigail “ Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched.” (Miller, 23) But Abigail says: “You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you loved me yet.” (Miller, 24) She tries to convince John to be with her even though she knows it is wrong. She thinks John will be with her if his wife is gone and tries to curse Elizabeth when she is in the woods dancing with Tituba and other girls. Then she tries to manipulate other girls to help her get what she wants.
Abigail is very manipulative. After being accused of witchcraft when she was caught dancing in the forest, she manipulates other girls to do as she says to avoid getting in trouble. At the beginning of Act I, Abigail says to the girls:
Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the