The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. In the actual Witch Trials and the play, people are hanged for allegedly practicing witchcraft. In the play, a slave and girls of the town go into the forest to perform a ritual and this causes roomers of witchcraft to spread in the town. soon, people are being accused of witchcraft by their neighbors. The characters are motivated to accuse their neighbors of witchcraft because of fear, lust, and vengeance.
Tituba, the slave, falsely accuses her neighbors because she wants to save her own life. Tituba is being accused of witchcraft and is being threatened by Putnam and Parris to be whipped to death or be hanged. Tituba says “No, no, don’t hang Tituba. I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir” (188). When Tituba says “No, no, don’t hang Tituba” she is terrified. The repetition of “no” shows how she was scared for her life as well as her begging to not be hanged. When Tituba says “I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir” she shows how she was protecting her life by complying with their story that she was practicing witchcraft and working for “him” or the Devil. Fear of being put to death motivates Tituba to …show more content…
Proctor, of Salem because of her lust for Mr. Proctor. Abigail is talking with Mr. Proctor alone about how much Abigail dreams or Mr. Proctor coming for her. Abigail reveals that Mr. Proctor has slept with her. Abigail says “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!” (177). When Abigail says “Clutched my back” she is talking about sex. This shows her affection for Proctor, because she is a young teen who is influenced by the thought of sex. Abigail also calls Proctor a “stallion.” Stallion is slang for a powerful man with a strong sex drive, this reveals how Abigail feels about Proctor. Thus, Abigail’s motive to falsely accuse people of witchcraft is her lust for
Tituba, the slave, falsely accuses her neighbors because she wants to save her own life. Tituba is being accused of witchcraft and is being threatened by Putnam and Parris to be whipped to death or be hanged. Tituba says “No, no, don’t hang Tituba. I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir” (188). When Tituba says “No, no, don’t hang Tituba” she is terrified. The repetition of “no” shows how she was scared for her life as well as her begging to not be hanged. When Tituba says “I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir” she shows how she was protecting her life by complying with their story that she was practicing witchcraft and working for “him” or the Devil. Fear of being put to death motivates Tituba to …show more content…
Proctor, of Salem because of her lust for Mr. Proctor. Abigail is talking with Mr. Proctor alone about how much Abigail dreams or Mr. Proctor coming for her. Abigail reveals that Mr. Proctor has slept with her. Abigail says “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!” (177). When Abigail says “Clutched my back” she is talking about sex. This shows her affection for Proctor, because she is a young teen who is influenced by the thought of sex. Abigail also calls Proctor a “stallion.” Stallion is slang for a powerful man with a strong sex drive, this reveals how Abigail feels about Proctor. Thus, Abigail’s motive to falsely accuse people of witchcraft is her lust for