A tragic time in American history was the Salem witch trials of 1962, which took place in Salem, Massachusetts. Many innocent people were wrongfully convicted of witchcraft at this time and executed as a result. Abigail Williams, a young lady who played a crucial role in the events in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," was one of the main perpetrators of these false allegations. Abigail is shown in "The Crucible" as a manipulative and bitter character who will do anything to further her agenda. She is driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge against those who have wronged her. When word of the witchcraft trials spreads throughout Salem, Abigail seizes the opportunity. She falsely accuses anybody who gets in her way, including Elizabeth Proctor, her previous boss, …show more content…
False charges were common for Abigail. Abigail was speaking to Danforth. Abigail says, "I saw Goody Osborn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!" (Act 1. Line 481) When Abigail says this, she is falsely accusing Goody Osborn and Bridget Bishop of witchcraft despite having no concrete evidence to support her claim. She makes this claim to get eyes off of her, which is entirely false. Abigail is speaking to John Proctor and says, "I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you do now!" (Act 1. Line 189) When Abigail says this to John, it shows that Abigail is still in love with John after their previous affair. She will go to any lengths to get back together with John. One thing that could explain Abigail’s actions is her traumatic past. Abigail is talking to the other girls in the forest about her family's past. She states, "I saw Indians smash my parents' heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen the same reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!" (Act 1. Line 160) This quote elucidates how traumatic a past Abigail had. Trauma such as