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Witchcraft trials england in the 16th century
Reasons why abigail williams is guilty
Reasons why abigail williams is guilty
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I believe that Abigail Williams is the most responsible for the trials. I've made my conclusion based on the many acts Abigail has committed and underlying intentions that she had. She and Mary Warren were the most prominent afflicted girls and Abigail spoke in court much more than the others which is a red flag. Abigail seemed to take on a "leadership role" among the afflicted girls, especially in the court scene with Mary Warren. She was quite old as well so it is easy to claim that Abigail manipulated the girls to listen to her. Over time, she has realized the power of "witnessing" witch craft and she used it for her own good. Abigail may have claimed that she saw witches because of the power and attention that came with confession. After
she harnessed this power, she uses it for herself by trying to eliminate Elizabeth Proctor and/or punish John Proctor. She does this because she is bitter about the way her affair with Proctor ended. Overall, the blame for the death of innocent people ultimately lands on Abigail because it was apparent that she was manipulating others, gaining power through lying, and using that power for her own selfish desires.
In conclusion, Mary Warren and Reverend Parris both played small roles in the death of John Proctor, however, none compares to the role Abigail Williams was part of. Abigail both started the witch trials in Salem and stood at the center of the accusations. Her involvement alone brought the demise of many innocent people including John Proctor who was willing to sacrifice his dignity to save those wrongly accused. This is why Abigail Williams is most responsible for John Proctor’s
The Salem Witch Trials, Who is Really Guilty? After all of the witch trials in 1692 concluded, a total of 20 people were hanged, all because of people craving attention and personal gain. There are three people depicted in Arthur Miller's The Crucible that are most responsible for this and they are, Abigail Williams, Judge Danforth, and Thomas Putnam. Abigail Williams is mostly responsible for the Salem witch trials because she was the first person to start accusing innocent people of witchcraft.
In conclusion I ask this again: how can a girl who condemned seventy two to a death sentence and drank a charm to kill a man’s wife, a man she slept with on more than one occasion, be the victim? Abigail is truly a victim just as much as one of those she condemned to death, because of Salem’s judgemental, self-concerned and oppressive views and beliefs led her to it.
Some may be able to prove that Abigail Williams is innocent, however she is not because of blaming and “proving” in a certain way that those innocent people were using witchcraft. After she found out the people were hanged, she fled in terror without telling anyone where she was going and
In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the main character Abigail Williams is to blame for the 1692 witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Abigail is a mean and vindictive person who always wants her way, no matter who she hurts. Through out the play her accusations and lies cause many people pain and suffering, but she seemed to never care for any of them except John Proctor, whom she had an affair with seven months prior to the beginning of the play. John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth used to employ Abigail, until Elizabeth found out the affair and threw Abigail out. Although John told Abigail that the affair was over and he would never touch her again, she tried desperately to rekindle their romance. "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." (Page 23) She claimed that she loved John and that he loved her. Before the play began, Abigail tried to kill Elizabeth with a curse. She thought that if Elizabeth were dead John would marry her. Further into the play, Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. She saw Marry Warren, the Proctor's servant, making a poppet. Mary put a needle into the doll, and Abigail used that for her accusation. She stabbed herself with a needle and claimed that Elizabeth's soul had done it. Although Abigail claimed she loved John, she may have just loved the care and attention he gave her. John cared for her like no one else had. In a way he could be described as somewhat of a father figure to her. When Abigail was just a child, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders. "I saw Indians smash my dear parent's heads on the pillow next to mine..." (page 20) After her traumatic experience, she was raised by her uncle, Reverend Parris, who is somewhat of a villain. In the play it was written, "He (Parris) was a widower with no interest in children, or talent with them." (Page 3) Parris regarded children as young adults who should be "thankful for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak." (Page 4) Therefore, it is obvious to see that Abigail grew up without any love or nurturing.
In Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible”, a dramatic story unfolds about hatred and deception among the townspeople of Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692. During this time, people were being accused of practicing witchcraft and conjuring with the devil. Once accused, all one could do was deny the practice and hang for it or confess and be condemned to prison. Many took advantage of this, including a young girl by the name Abigail Williams who is the main character in the play. Who is to be blamed for the death of the innocently accused? Many can argue and say that other characters in the story share blame in the Salem Witch Trials. Though, the ultimate responsibility belongs to Abigail for the deaths of many innocent people during this time.
Abigail Williams is to be blamed for everything that happened in the Crucible. Whenever something bad was happening she was there in the middle of it. Even if the situation had nothing to do with her she would make it about her somehow.
One night the girls were caught dancing in the woods naked by Reverend Parris. Abigail threatened the other girls she would kill them if they ever said what they were actually doing, which was conjuring spirits. Abigail was the one who had done most of the wrong dong including drinking blood. Because of this event the start of the whole witch hunt and hysteria can be accredited to Abigail. Whenever she would be accused she would make up a lie, and threaten the other girls to say it was the truth.
Abigail Williams the main character in The Crucible by Arthur Miller draws the interest of the reader as she is a wicked, confident girl who lies to get what she wants and defends her name and her life.
Based on documents B-E, the most likely cause of the Salem Witch Trials were the young women. They had at least 3 motives for the assassinations of the 20 accused innocent civilians. Not only did they want attention but they wanted power. And they also were jealous. After reading the information I was given I am confident that the girls were the cause of the Salem Witch Trials. In conclusion the cause of this horrible event was the young
to Anne’s meetings were frustrated with the way things were going, they were tired of being treated inferior to men.
The trial regarding Abigail William’s role in the Salem Witch Trials was a mess. Scanning my eyes around the courtroom, it was hard to miss Abigail; she looked like the perfect child. Sitting straight up, her head held slightly higher than normal, not even the slightest bit fazed by coming into court, she looked perfectly content and comfortable with her situation. The only part of her face that gave away her innocence was the sly smile painted on, crafted with exact precision so that at a moment’s notice, it could transform into a pout begging for innocence. She must have sensed me looking at her because she turned back to face me, though now she had a real actual smile plastered on. It sickened me that Abigail thought that by killing off my dear wife Elizabeth, I would fall in love with her, without giving Elizabeth a second thought.
In my opinion the two people who were responsible for witchcraft are Tituba and Abigail. Why? You may ask, well to begin with they were both there in the woods that night, and they were both dancing. To prove that, here is where Tituba was accused of being able to see the devil. ¨ Mrs.Putnam: Tituba knows how to speak to the dead,Mr.Parris¨ ( Pg. 1266 ). Tituba was also responsible because she gave Betty chicken blood and well that is not normal. Who would give someone chicken blood. ¨Tituba: No,no chicken blood. I give she chicken blood ! ¨ ( Pg.1284 ). Also Abigail claims to have done things that are out of the ordinary because she says that she has been bewitched. ¨ Abigail : Sometimes I wake and find myself standing in the open doorway
The greedy actions of Abigail Williams and Thomas Putnam contributed to the mass hysteria in Salem. During the trials in Salem, different people found this as an opportunity to gain wealth in some fashion. One such person was Thomas Putnam. In a deposition to the court, Giles Corey says, “My proof is there! (Pointing to the paper.) If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property--that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” (214). Just as Corey put it, Thomas Putnam gains wealth when others are accused of witchcraft. The more people that are accused and hung for witchcraft, the more land he could gain. Putnam knew he was the only one who had enough
Because of Abigail’s deleterious behavior, many innocent victims were brutally murdered. All of her actions were selfish and pretentious. Abigail may not have intended to cause the witch trials, but she certainly did nothing to end them once they began. Abigail’s lustful behavior, her unhealthy habit of lying, and her obsessive desire for power makes her responsible for the Salem witch trials.