Abigail Williams in The Crucible Essay Example

Yearning can lead down a dark hole of regret and lies. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible rumors of witchcraft surround the town of Salem. 17 year old Abigail Williams is at the center of these rumors having performed witchcraft, after having an affair with John Proctor. Her motivation is to get the married man back. In the play The Crucible, playwright Arthur Miller uses the deceiving, lying, and wicked character of Abigail Williams accusing Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft to have her killed and take her place to show that lying in order to get what you want will lead you to take immense steps to protect your reputation. 

Abigail Williams wants John Proctor back, after having an affair with him, her ultimate goal is to take his wife, Elizabeth Proctor’s place, this leads her to perform witchcraft and lie. Abigail drinks a charm to try to kill Elizabeth, which her cousin Betty reveals “You drank a charm to kill John Proctor‘s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” (Miller, Pg. 25) Abigail's motivation comes from the idea that John Proctor still loves her; “you loved me then and you do now!”(Pg. 29). Her desire is to get John Proctor back, in order to get that she thinks she needs to replace Elizabeth Proctor, to get rid of Elizabeth she thinks she needs to die. Abigail has a resentful manner towards Elizabeth Proctor, Abigail states that Elizabeth is “a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman”(Pg. 30). She makes it clear she will stop at nothing to get John back. 

Abigail Williams tries to kill Elizabeth Proctor by way of witchcraft however when that is unsuccessful she accuses her of witchcraft so she will be left to be hanged. Elizabeth Proctor is made aware that is accused when Mary Warren, the proctor's servant says she saved her life today, Elizabeth replies with a quiet voice “I am accused?”(Pg. 65). Mary Warren replies that she stood up for Elizabeth in court and that there were no signs of witchcraft. A conversation between Elizabeth and John becomes intense when Elizabeth states she is sure it was Abigail whom accused her, stating her motives “thinks to kill me, then to take my place”(Pg. 67). The act ends with Elizabeth being taken away with a warrant, because she is charged with witchcraft. It appears Abigail is going to get what she wants, but she has lied in order to get rid of Elizabeth. 

In the end Abigail realized her lies have caused the tragedy to the town of Salem and decided to run in order to protect her reputation. Abigail plants a needle in the poppet, which Mary Warren gives to Elizabeth. Abigail is aware that if Elizabeth is found with this poppet with the needle in it it will be clear she will be seen as having the devil in her. Abigail states that “Goody Proctor always kept poppets”(Pg. 106), this is a lie in an attempt to accuse her of witchcraft, when in reality she positioned the poppet to be found with Elizabeth. Abigail’s lies multiple times to get Elizabeth  accused. In the end Elizabeth gets accused, due to Abigail's ruthless lies. However in the end Abigail's plan all goes downhill. It is made known by Reverend Parris that Abigail has robbed him and left town. He claims “she has vanished”, he believes she has set sail on a ship, which leads Mr Parris to believe she is not planning on returning anytime. Abigail realizes  her relationship with John is over and is embarrassed. She makes a massive decision to leave in order to protect her reputation and self pride. 

Arthur Miller uses the misleading and corrupt character Abigail Williams, to bring the idea to life that lying for personal gain will lead to a vast decision to protect your reputation. In the end Abigail's desire to get John Proctor back leads to suffering for the whole town of Salem, ending in tragedy. Sometimes what you think you want in life can lead you down a dangerous slope.