STUDY GUIDE: CRUCIBLECharacter motivations, actions, intentions and quotes.

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS Selfish Whore 17, niece of Parris (19)-”Now look you…sit up and stop this” (11)- “Why…I am sure it is”, “There be no blush about

my name” (11)- “she [Elizabeth] hates me…I will not work for

such a woman” Motivations: wants to kill Elizabeth so she can be with

John Proctor Stabs herself with a needle to frame Elizabeth for

attempted murder. Accuses others to save her own behind Runs away with MERCY LEWIS and steals Parris’ money.

JOHN PROCTOR 35 year old, male He is a lecher (someone who sleeps with multiple

women) Sinful, stern, goodhearted, and honest (73)-”If she is innocent…vengence” (62)- “since we build the church…the man dreams

cathedrals not clapboards and meeting house” (132)- “I have confessed myself…it is enough” Motivations: he wants to expose Abigail for lying and he

wants to save himself and Elizabeth. He wants forgiveness for what he did to Elizabeth. Actions: demands release of Elizabeth from the court,

he confesses to sleeping with Abigail, he almost signs his name to the confession but does not at the last minute because his name is more important.

ELIZABETH PROCTOR Mid thirties, wife of John Proctor She is angry at the affair, she says she has forgiven

John but really hasn’t, doesn’t like or trust Abigail’s motives.

“I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you” (52)

“Spoke or silent a promise is surely made” (58) “You take my sins upon you , John-” (127) (No he did not) lies for the first time ever to protect

her husbands reputation (irony) Forgives him at the end and accepts some of the

blame for what has happened between them Motivations: protection, preservation of life, sanctity

of their marriage

MARY WARREN Teenage girl, servant to the Proctors Gave Elizabeth a poppet (rag doll) that had a needle in

it. Abigail saw this and used it to frame Elizabeth for witchcraft.

Wants to speak out but is easily led Shy, naïve, spineless, and becomes part of the court Girls accuse her of witchcraft because she went

against them (110)- “I’ll not hang with you…” (99)- “It’s not a trick she’s sportin…” Motivations: to end the witch craft and fear of

Abigail…ultimately to save herself. Girls accuse her and she takes her testimony back and

turns on John.

DANFORTH

Stolid, loyal to his cause, stern “You have heard rebellion spoken in the

town?” (121) “Mr. Proctor…back to the devil” (123) Doesn’t want to kill Proctor, rather he

confesses, and hopes the others will confess and he can stop killing people without admitting that the courts were wrong.

Monologue (122-123) Doesn’t want to kill anyone, and if such a loved man as Proctor dies rebellion is imminent.

THOMAS PUTNAM

Wealthy, influential, grudge against Francis nurse, uses witch trials to gain wealth/land

Motivation: greed, wants to kill off his fellow landowners for their land.

Actions: accuses innocents of witch craft for land instigator grudge against Nurse

“How may we blame ourselves…” (p26)

PARRIS (REV)

Annoying, selfish, self-centered, manipulative Preaches about hell and damnation rather than

God and love. Is greedy and wants glory and wealth.

Wants the hangings to stop at the end so that the town won’t turn on him like they did in Andover.

“There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning!” (28)

“There is a party in this church…a faction” (29) Motivations: doesn’t want to get thrown out of

the town. Wants to keep his ministry. Graduate of Harvard and believes he is deserving because he is so knowledgeable.

HALE

Originates from Beverly, an expert in the dark arts, has a book with all of the devils secrets and tells.

Wants to cleanse the town of the devil, realizes that the girls are faking and tries to stop it, quits the court because of the hangings and because John is arrested, tries to save John at the end and is distraught when he can’t. Feels guilt and uncertainty in Act Two after Elizabeth is arrested.

“Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell…” (68)

“I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (111)

“Woman, plead with him! Woman! It is pride, it is vanity. Be his helper!...” (134)