In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the character Abigail Williams is to blame for the 1692 witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Abigail is a selfish and manipulative person who strives to get what she desires, no matter the repercussions it may have on others. Throughout the play her accusations and lies caused many people pain and suffering, Although Abigail did not accuse all of those arrested and tried on witchcraft charges, she was the first character to "cry witch."
Though Abigail may seem heartless on a quick observation, she shares a deep feeling of emotional connection toward the character John Proctor. Several months before the exposition of the play, Abigail was employed by the Proctors to work around the house as a housekeeper
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Under the interrogation of Parris and Hale Abigail makes an accusation against Tituba claiming, “She sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer!” (44) Tituba Denies the accusations, but is threatened to be whipped until she confessed her doings of witchcraft. Tituba folds and confesses while naming others to become suspects of performing witchcraft. This brings in more innocent people to face trial and judgement that they so wrongfully endured. As time goes on in the play, Abigail begins to scheme and develop a plan to eradicate Elizabeth. One day Abigail visits the Proctor Household and sees Mary Warren who is the Proctor's servant, making a poppet. As Mary was creating the poppet she placed a needle into the doll, and Abigail twisted the context of her doing as something supernatural and evil. Abigail proceeds to stab herself with a needle and claims that Elizabeth is responsible. Shortly after the accusation Cheever and Hale visit the Proctors to investigate and search the house for a poppet or any other possessions that may be linked to witchcraft. Mid way through their search they discover the poppet with a needle protruding out of it, astonished Hale states,” Mary - you charge a cold and cruel murder on Abigail”. (76). Elizabeth is arrested and later tried and convicted along with her husband due to the acts of a scorned