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  • Essay / The Crucible: A Story of Vengeance and Its Impact on Society

    Table of ContentsAbigail WilliamsJohn ProctorSalem SocietyVengeance and its role in human nature have been the subject of much debate throughout history. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, we see how the desire for revenge can lead individuals to commit heinous acts. The play depicts the witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts in the late 17th century, during which innocent people were accused and executed for practicing witchcraft. This essay will explore the different examples of revenge in The Crucible and how they affect the characters involved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayAbigail WilliamsAbigail Williams is one of the most important characters in The Crucible, and her thirst for revenge is the cause of most of the action of the play. She is the niece of Reverend Parris and worked for the Proctor family. At the beginning of the play, we learn that Abigail had an affair with John Proctor and is still in love with him. However, John refuses to continue their relationship, prompting Abigail to seek revenge. She accuses Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife, of witchcraft, hoping to get rid of her and have John all to herself. Abigail's accusations spark witch trials, leading to the deaths of innocent people. However, Abigail's desire for revenge is not limited to Elizabeth Proctor. She accuses many other people in Salem of drawing attention away from herself and asserting her power. For example, she accuses Mary Warren of being a witch after Mary tries to confess to lying about seeing spirits. This causes Mary to turn on John Proctor and accuse him of witchcraft as well.John ProctorJohn Proctor is another character in The Crucible who seeks revenge but in a different way than Abigail. John's main motivation is not revenge but rather revealing the truth and saving his wife. However, as the play progresses, we see how John's desire for revenge against himself for having an affair with Abigail affects his decision-making. John's guilt over his affair leads him to confess to his witchcraft, hoping to ruin Abigail's credibility in the eyes of the court. However, John's plan backfires when the court asks him to sign a written confession. Rather than let his name be tarnished, he tears up the confession and chooses to be hanged. John's decision to die is an act of defiance against the corrupt court, but it is also an act of revenge against himself for his past mistakes. Society of Salem The role of revenge in The Crucible is not limited to individual characters but also extends to society. of Salem. Salem's leaders, including Reverend Parris and Judge Danforth, use the witch trials as a means to gain power and control of the city. They use the hysteria and fear created by the trials to manipulate the people of Salem into accepting their authority. For example, when Mary Warren accuses John Proctor of witchcraft, Judge Danforth does not question her motives but instead uses them as evidence against John. This shows how the need for revenge can permeate the entire society and lead to the downfall of innocent people. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, revenge is a major theme of The Crucible and plays a vital role in the development of the characters and..