The Crucible: characters

Main Characters:

John Proctor - A farmer known for his independence and temper who struggles to redeem himself in the face of accusations rooted in a past affair with Abigail Williams. He is the play’s protagonist, and his confession of his adulterous affair provides a crucial turning point in the play.
Abigail Williams - A young, manipulative, and vengeful woman who sparks off the witch trials. She is driven by passion and jealousy towards Elizabeth Proctor. She cleverly manipulates others around her to instigate the witch trials for her personal advantage.
Elizabeth Proctor - John Proctor’s wife. She is portrayed as virtuous and forgiving, but at times cold. Her competing instincts of suspicion and fidelity cause tension in her interactions with John and notably in the trial scenes.
Reverend Parris - The minister of Salem. He is characterised by his paranoia, greed, and self-absorption. His fear of losing his position in the society contributes to the running hysteria.

Reverend Hale - A reverend from Beverley and a specialist in witchcraft, called in to investigate the accusations. He initially supports the trials but later denounces them as he realises the innocent are being condemned.
Mary Warren - A servant in the Proctor household, easily swayed by others. Her attempt to expose Abigail and other girls’ pretended fits ends disastrously.
Judge Danforth - The Deputy Governor of Massachusetts and the presiding judge at the witch trials. He is stern and convinced of his own righteousness. He views any challenge to the trials as an attack on the court.

Evaluate the way each character’s motivations drive their actions and the resulting consequences. Understanding the nuances in their motivations can give a deeper understanding of the characters and the play as a whole.
Consider the characters’ morality and explore how it clashes with the social and religious norms of their time.
Use dialogue and stage directions provided by Miller to analyse characters’ traits and to consider their physical, social, and psychological attributes.
Consider exploring the dynamics between different character pairs to understand their motivations and actions better. The interactions between John and Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor and Abigail Williams, and Reverend Parris and Judge Danforth can be particularly illuminating.
Analyse how the characters develop throughout the play. Their growth, or lack thereof, reveals insights into their character and the messages Miller wants to convey.