The Crucible Character List
Participants in the Forest:
Tituba
Rev. Parris' slave from Barbados who cares for the children and leads them in the forest.
Abigail Williams
Abigail is Parris' 17 year-old niece; once the maid for the Proctor house, but Elizabeth Proctor fired her.
Abigail will be a ringleader for the girls and lead the accusations.
Betty Parris
The ten-year-old daughter of Parris who is a coma-state when the play opens.
Ruth Putnam
Daughter of the Putnams who takes ill with Betty.
Mercy Lewis
Mercy is a servant to the Putnams and one of the girls caught in the woods with Abigail and Betty by
Reverend Parris. Described in the text as being "a fat, sly, merciless girl of eighteen."
Mary Warren
Mary Warren serves as housemaid for the Proctors after Abigail Williams.
The Townspeople:
Reverend Samuel Parris
Parris is the poorly respected minister of Salem's church. He is disliked by many Salem residents because of
his greedy, dominating nature. The man is more concerned about his reputation than of the well being of
his sick daughter, Betty. Historically, his niece and daughter were the first to accuse others witchcraft.
Thomas Putnam
Thomas Putnam lives in Salem village and owns a bit of land close to Giles Corey, Giles accuses him of
trying to steal it, and says Putnam got his daughter to accuse Giles' wife of witchcraft.
Ann Putnam
Wife of Thomas who has seven of eight babies die at birth and blames the devil.
John Proctor
A hard working farmer, and native of Salem who lives just outside town; he is married to Elizabeth Proctor.
But he is harboring a grave sin as a secret which leads to his downfall.
Elizabeth Proctor
John Proctor's wife, and a resident of Salem, famous for her quotation: "No matter what happens tonight...
I still love you."
Giles Corey
Giles is a friend of John Proctor, who is very concerned about his land. Historically, the character of Giles
Corey is based on a real person. Giles' wife is MarthaWhether this was for his children's sake or for an
attempt to spite Thomas Putnam's greedy obsession with buying up land is arguable. The play supports
both possibilities.
Rebecca Nurse
Rebecca Nurse, wife of Francis Nurse, is highly respected in Salem for her helpful nature. Very firm in her
opinions, and willing to make any sacrifice in the cause of truth, she voices her opposition to the idea of
witchcraft.
Frances Nurse
Husband of Rebecca who also is highly respected and good.
Officials of the Court:
Reverend John Hale
Hale is a well respected minister reputed to be an expert on witchcraft from the nearby town of Beverly
Judge John Hathorne
The sadistic presiding judge over the Salem Witch Trials. Cold, ignorant, antagonistic, he constantly denies
any new developments regarding the events in Salem Village.
Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth
Mister Danforth is a pretentious and selfish judge, who is extremely loyal to the rules and regulations of his
position. Public opinion and his acute adherence to the law are most important to him.
Ezekiel Cheever
Historically, an accurate figure. He is an officer of the court and serves people their warrants.
George Herrick (John Willard)
Herrick was the Marshal of Salem and in the play is responsible for bringing the defendants before the
court. Some productions name the character John Willard, historically accurate, who came to disbelieve
the allegations and refused to make any further arrests. He himself was then arrested, charged with
witchcraft and hanged.