The Crucible by Arthur
Miller
Elizabeth
How do Elizabeth’s language and
actions contribute to the tension in
the final act?
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“Aye. It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey.”
Elizabeth uses a respectful tone in describing the
heroic actions of Giles Corey prior to his death.
This has a dramatic influence on Proctor as he
now realises what he must do in order to gain
respect from his wife and to find forgiveness in
himself.
Elizabeth implies through her description of Giles
death that she expects her husband to
demonstrate similar strength of character.
Although Proctor doesn’t react the audience
know that he is aware of Elizabeth's
suggestions.
In what ways does Elizabeth’s language and actions relate to the
theme of the play ‘the importance of reputation and social standing’,
‘the nature of forgiveness?’, ‘corruption’, ‘religious fanaticism’?
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“I cannot judge you, John.”
This relates to the nature of forgiveness
and refers back to early in the play when
Elizabeth says ‘I do not judge you, the
magistrate in your heart that judges you.’
Elizabeth shows that Proctor must learn to
forgive himself before she can.
Hale, Parris and Danforth all try to find
answers in Elizabeth as she is the only
character not corrupt in the play.
How do we judge this character’s actions in the
final act? How do we feel about their final
actions/decisions/words?
Elizabeth blames herself for Proctor’s
sins.
 “It needs a cold wife to prompt
lechery.”
 Elizabeth has changed from the
beginning of the play. At the start
she is blunt whereas at the end she
is more sympathetic towards her
husband’s actions.
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What message does the resolution of this character’s part
in the play contain for the audience? What, if anything,
should we learn from this character’s part in the whole
play?
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Elizabeth is the most consistent, least deserving of criticism
and the character who suffers the most throughout the
course of the…
Elizabeth proves that even the least deserving are not
immune from the capricious nastiness of the court,
Danforth and the forces of evil. In a sense Elizabeth stands
for the innocent victim. She is incapable of preventing her
husband from dying or of changing her own circumstances.
We admire Elizabeth however, as she does not waver or
disintegrate under the most extraordinary pressure. We
also admire her integrity – she only lies to the court under
the most extreme pressure: a lie that it is hard to judge her
for. We respect the fact that she remains with Proctor –
someone she tries to see the best in despite his bad
treatment of her…she even takes some of the responsibility
for the predicament she and Proctor find themselves in at
the end… “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”
How has this character “changed” or developed over the
course of the drama?
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The character of Elizabeth stays consistent throughout the
play
She has continuously refused to pardon or interfere in her
husband's moral dilemma. In the final act she repeats the
phrase ‘I do not judge you’ a number of times. She does
not believe it is her responsibility nor does she force or
command her husband’s actions – to the point that she is
willing to quietly observe his sacrifice. This ‘quiet dignity’ is
consistent with Elizabeth’s character throughout the play,
confusing and angering Proctor in Act II and similarly
confusing Hale, Parris, and Danforth in the final scenes of
the play: all three request that she pardon her husband or
interfere in his judgement making. She ignores all, full in
the knowledge that Proctor must decide for
himself…”Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it.”
In many ways Elizabeth, despite being accused of witchcraft
by Abigail, is the least affected of all of the characters in
the play. She demonstrates a resolute persona throughout.
Perhaps it is this quality that Proctor fell in love with. She is
certainly the strongest character in the play.
Why we might criticise Elizabeth
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Hale, Danforth and Parris criticise
Elizabeth in the final scene because she
shows no emotion towards her husbands
conviction.
“Are you stone?...have the devil dried up
any tear of pity in you?”
Stone implies Elizabeth is unsympathetic
and emotionless, this is ironic because
Danforth is comparing her to something
lifeless.
Danforth accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft.