The play is set in a highly religious community whose people are utterly devoted to God and the ten commandments. Arthur Miller writes about the witchcraft trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in the year of 1692. The playwright has taken a similar personal experience and related it to the time period of the 1960s, this relates to the "Red Scare" that happened in America when suspected communists were tried. The characters in this play are in a perpetual struggle to prove their loyalty to God and in this way, avoid the punishments imposed upon those who are considered disloyal by the court. We will explore the importance of the theme of loyalty in this play through the main characters and their actions towards one another.
Danforth is a loyal person but in his own way. He shows a different kind of loyalty than the other characters. Said by Danforth in Act 3, this quote perfectly depicts the opinion of the government in Salem regarding the trials "You must understand, sir that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." He sees himself as a man of honor and integrity, but, like …show more content…
Arthur Miller crafts the dramatic irony scene with great precision as he first has John admit to his adultery and then Elizabeth, who Proctor swears is a truthful woman lies to save her husband and the jeopardy of both their lives. Danforth cannot believe that Abigail is a “whore”, he asks Elizabeth to come up to testify for the charge.The two partners risk their names by wanting to save each other’s life: John confessed to his charge while his wife lied for her husband's life, "Elizabeth: faintly. No, sir". The dramatic irony of Elizabeth's answer has a great impact on the audience as it is a lie, the only lie she ever told. The audience knows that John has confessed and that Elizabeth's answer has a tragic ending before she knows it
Danforth is a loyal person but in his own way. He shows a different kind of loyalty than the other characters. Said by Danforth in Act 3, this quote perfectly depicts the opinion of the government in Salem regarding the trials "You must understand, sir that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." He sees himself as a man of honor and integrity, but, like …show more content…
Arthur Miller crafts the dramatic irony scene with great precision as he first has John admit to his adultery and then Elizabeth, who Proctor swears is a truthful woman lies to save her husband and the jeopardy of both their lives. Danforth cannot believe that Abigail is a “whore”, he asks Elizabeth to come up to testify for the charge.The two partners risk their names by wanting to save each other’s life: John confessed to his charge while his wife lied for her husband's life, "Elizabeth: faintly. No, sir". The dramatic irony of Elizabeth's answer has a great impact on the audience as it is a lie, the only lie she ever told. The audience knows that John has confessed and that Elizabeth's answer has a tragic ending before she knows it