Most of the mentioned characters in the play The Crucible are based on actual historical data and individuals who were directly involved in the events that happen in the play. Evidently, some of these characters could have played their cards differently in ways that could have altered the course of history that unfolds in the play. For instance, Abigail Williams could have chosen not to be manipulative and fabricate tales and thus tricking the other girls into following her example. Justice Danforth could have chosen not to believe the lies fabricated by the girls which was called “spectral evidence” over the accused in the court proceedings. Instead of walking away from the trials, the Reverend Hale could have chosen to remain and be involved in the whole proceeding. His trials to be the voice of reason put him in a critical position with the magistrates and the judges at the court who, as the play suggests had ulterior motives which were politically based and wanted the rebellious people such as John Proctor silenced.
Any number of the people in the town could have refused to believe in the accusations of the practice of witchcraft instead of believing that witchcraft was the cause of several events such as the illness of Betty Parris, the milk of cows drying up, other children getting ill and other mysterious events. Having the ability to accuse each other of practicing witchcraft evidently meant that the members of the community could bring about the ruination of their neighbors without having concrete evidence or even proof, because the whole area was full of superstitious beliefs and were supportive of the rumors that spread about witchcraft.
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Abigail Williams is a character that is to be blamed for the hysteria of witchcraft that happened in Salem. She was participating in witchcraft rituals in the forest; hypothetically causing Ruth Putman and her cousin to fall ill from fear and a guilty conscious and allowing her own uncle to find her and the other girls dancing in the woods and conjuring. Her very actions were the beginning of the entire problem that befalls this town. In act one, Betty Parris momentarily wakes up screaming that Abigail drank blood and a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife and did not tell Reverend Parris. It is clear that Betty is stressed by the activities that transpired in the woods and she is restless about her father knowing. If Abigail hadn’t been involved in these illegal and malicious activities the hysteria wouldn’t have even been there in Salem.
To add on that, Abigail starts her accusations when she names Tituba as one who was practicing witchcraft. She panics when she becomes the subject of questions that were asked by Mr. Hale. In order to divert the attention from her she cries out and blames Tituba that she is the one who made Betty and her drink the blood, laugh while praying and even sleepwalk while being completely naked. Putnam and Parris resolve to threaten Tituba by hanging her or beat her so as to force her to confess of her sins. Tituba however decides to do what Abigail had done, accuse someone else who the town will blindly believe is a witch. The actions of Abigail starts a chain reaction of accusations that lights up the hysteria in the town.
It is proven that the hysteria in Salem resulted from people who were dishonest and also skilled in manipulating those who did not have full information and blindly spreading lies which benefited these people. Honesty in Salem was a valued commodity that was in short supply, the hysteria was the consequence of people who knew how to manipulate the public in fear. For instance, Parris who was a Reverend knew that a public scare over sorcerers and witches would increase his prestige. The Reverend at the beginning was a stiff man who was intolerant to the activities of the girls but he later turns their antics into a means to entice the community. He interprets the hysterical fits of the community as a sure sign of the presence of witchcraft. He takes advantage of the fear of the people and the girls so as to keep his congregation in line. He puts it upon himself to find witches so as to exercise his authority.
Hathorne and Danforth realized that if more people came to the front and confessed of practicing magic, they both would rise in judicial power. Thomas Putnam is a prominent citizen of Salem and a very argumentative character who turns his discontent with his neighbors in to hunting for witches. He gets wealthy when more people are accused and forced to confess of witchcraft. This generates him considerable amounts of profit as those who are accused are forced to sell all their belongings to him at reduced charges
Another character that plays a pivotal role in creating hysteria in Salem is Marry Warren. She is a servant at John and Elizabeth Proctor. She was a replacement of Abigail Williams who was relieved from duties once Elizabeth found out that she was having an illicit affair with her husband John. Since Abigail was still in love with John, and she is selfish and devious, she saw witchcraft as a chance to eliminate Elizabeth out of the picture by accusing her practicing. Mary becomes a key ingredient in the concoction that Abigail is preparing. One day, in Court, Abigail sees Mary making a poppet which is believed to control the person it represents and asks her to give it to Elizabeth. Later on, Reverend Parris witnesses Abigail screaming in pain and claims she has a needle stuck in her belly. Consequently Abigail has asked Mary to leave the needle in the poppet. The doll and the needle are found by Ezekiel Cheever, who came to the household of the Proctors to give a warrant on Elizabeth who has been accused by Abigail. The poppet is seen and used as evidence against Elizabeth who allegedly attempted to hurt Abigail and it is also proof of her practicing witchcraft. At this point, John Proctor who is a well-respected man who may have not believed in the existence of witches is placed at the center of the hysteria. His wife is later arrested and taken away. With so much anger John Proctor demands that Mary should be brought before the court and tell the truth.
References
Gmuss25. "Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem?" eNotes , 9 Mar. 2018, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/could-any-characters-crucible-have-done-more-end-1106341.
