Foil Characters In The Crucible

For as long as we have known, authors have used opposite characters or themes to show contrast and depth in the world they create; Evil vs Good, fire vs ice, light vs dark, the sun vs the moon, the list goes on. Sometimes it is the protagonist and the antagonist that reflects these similar themes and sometimes it’s just two wonderfully written foil characters. Arthur Miller, the classic American playwright of The Crucible, is no exception to this well used tactic, especially with the characters Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor and their complex relationship with John Proctor, that unravels and tangles together during the play. Abigail has a fiery passion for John but also is shown as a toxic flame murderous as they come. On the other …show more content…
When John commits lechery with Abigail which sets a toxic foundation for both of the relationships. John’s relationship with Elizabeth becomes crippled and it is shown throughout both works. For example during act two of the play Elizabeth is continuously phlegmatic during a conversation with John while they eat dinner. She only speaks when spoken too and shows no real affection that a married couple should display. John reacts to this and comments that “her justice would freeze beer”. During this scene it shows really how distant Elizabeth can be and it is somewhat in result of the affair. It is also the introduction of her character, setting her up as a frigid and lonely wife. Another instance of their chilling relationship is when Elizabeth plain out states in by saying “I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”This shows that their numbing cracked relationship is clear enough for even Elizabeth to see. Moreover it shows how the affair not only was John’s fault but that she also feels guilty about it; this in itself displays even more flaws in their relationship. Though Elizabeth is far from the only one having issues in her relationship; Abigail has many of her own with John. Her relationship in contrast to Elizabeth’s might be even more problematic. For example, in the end of both the play and the movie after all her lies get John …show more content…
Elizabeth and John specifically bring a an interesting view on the bonds of marriage and how it is stronger than what most relationships would be ruined over. Instead of having a flawless main character with John, Arthur shows that he isn’t perfect especially with his relationships. It is something to really admire. Also to top it all off he brings in a character like Abigail that has great contrast to Elizabeth and shows the so called flaws in a ‘perfect puritan society’. All these relationships show a perfect example of contrast, but still are able to come together with similar attributes in a fantastic dramatic