The Crucible: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

The Crucible: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

The Crucible: Costume Design

Historical Accuracy

  • The puritanical society of 17th-century Salem is accentuated through historically accurate costumes, reflecting the societal and religious conventions of the time.
  • Costume design in The Crucible is often centred around muted, earthy tones and stark, unadorned clothing, reinforcing the Puritan belief in modesty and simplicity.
  • The silhouette and style of the costumes - long dresses for women with long sleeves and high necklines, and dark, button-up attire for men - further emphasize the ridged moral code of the time.

Symbolism through Costume

  • The contrast between the austere clothing of the Salem community and the vibrant, seductive attire worn by Abigail Williams can be used to perpetuate her image as a corrupting influence.
  • The red dress that Abigail wears can symbolise her seductive power and align her with the devil, linking to the idea of the scarlet woman.
  • In some interpretations, the less restrictive and lighter coloured clothes worn by the outcasts (for example, Tituba) symbolise their distance from the controlling aspect of the Puritan lifestyle.

Hair and Makeup

Narrative and Characterization through Makeup

  • Minimal or no makeup for most characters aligns with the Puritanical aversion to vanity and personal adornment.
  • The application of pale makeup to make characters appear sickly or distressed could be utilised to visually underline the effects of guilt, fear, hysteria and manipulation.
  • Abigail can be visually distinguished through slightly more makeup, or specific applicative choices, indicating her defiant and seductive character.

Hairstyles

  • The hairstyling choices should also reflect the Puritan ethos. Women typically have their hair covered, while men have neat, short haircuts.
  • Abigail’s hair might be loose or marginally more elaborate in some scenes, hinting at her rebelliousness and non-conformity.

Overall, the costumes, hair and makeup in The Crucible should not only portray historical authenticity but also subtly reveal character and narrative elements. A strong understanding of these will be essential in an insightful analysis and interpretation of the text.