Changes Undergone In the play The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, mass hysteria has set in the town of Salem, Massachusetts because of a lie told by Abigail Williams that tells of witchcraft. The play is set in a time where witchcraft was punishable by hanging, and where a mere accusation was enough to be put to death. Over the course of the story many people are accused and are put to death. Most of them were most likely innocent. Many main characters throughout the story change, these characters include: John Proctor, Reverend Paris, Reverend Hale. The character that changed the most was Abigail Williams after she told the lie about witchcraft to the people of Salem. Abigail was always never a complex character. Her basis as a character is mainly Jealousy and a lust for power. Before the story Abigail started as a house-keeper for the Proctor family household. During her time serving the Proctor family she began to fall in “love” (most likely lust) with John Proctor. This affair was spread around the town as a rumor until Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife, fired Abigail because of her suspicions. Abigail was from then on shunned by most in the village. Her affair caused her to be hated, and since her social standing in the village was already low on the social ladder it contributed to her desire for power. …show more content…
She despises Elizabeth Proctor for being with the object of her affections John Proctor. She also wants revenge on Elizabeth because of how she supposedly spread the rumor of her affair with John Proctor. Being unmarried and an orphan made her social status in the village only barely above the slaves. Eventually this made her want