The Salem Witch Trials caused absolute pandemonium within the city of Salem, Massachusetts. Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, tells a tale of a young woman who faces many difficulties in her life that result in her becoming the person she is. Abigail, the main character in The Crucible, is a vindictive individual who always wants her way, no matter whom she hurts. Throughout the play her accusations, manipulations, and affair with John Proctor leads her to become the absolute cause of the catastrophe in her community. The witch hysteria begins seven months prior to the beginning of the play with John Proctor who had an affair with Abigail. John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth employed Abigail, up until Elizabeth found out about the affair and threw Abigail out. Although John had disregards Abigail and tells her time and time again that the affair is over, she tries 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 claims that she loves John and that he loves her and that they should be together. “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet. John pity me, pity …show more content…
On account of the fear for her life, she falsely accuses innocent people of practicing witchcraft, and others soon follow suit. After she and the other girls were discovered in the forest dancing, she knew that they would be whipped and possibly hung. Abigail claims that they were bewitched, and begins to utter names of those who were 'with the devil'.The accused are forced to falsely blame other innocent people in order to angle the allegation to others to avoid punishment. This turns into complete chaos. Among other accusations, Abigail also places the blame on Elizabeth, saying that the needle cut that she acquires was done by Elizabeth’s