The action of the play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Puritans offer a wealth of background on the key religious movement. Things that puritans focus on are theology, their views on family and community, the balance between individual rights and one's obligation to others, and the extent to which public character should be shaped by private religious belief. Although, the Puritans left their hometown to avoid some of the hostility problems due to their religious and race beliefs. Puritans had a strong belief in the devil, and thought that Hell existed. Because of this, they felt that the devil could exert power and influence over people when they were on the earth. Also they hence the belief in witches. They believed that witches were servants to the devil and they did his work for him on earth. This belief is extremely evident in "The Crucible" as women and men are accused of being witches who have "signed his black book," meaning, signed their souls over to Satan. We see that Reverend Hale, who is a minister ordained to preach the word of God. Also he had an extensive knowledge of all of the "demonic arts" too; Satan was just as real as God was. Hale believed in Satan's influence so much that he was well studied in him and his various forms. Accusations of witchcraft only fly in a society where people believe in witches; Puritans did. …show more content…
In Salem, they had a theocracy, which means that their government was also their religion. Religious rules were the law. Because of this, witchcraft was punishable by law, because it was forbidden in their religion. Ministers became enforcers of the law. The bible was referred to for punishments and law settings. Pay attention to how often the townspeople refer to the bible as their guiding force. They refer to it for all of their