STUDY GUIDE: CRUCIBLE
Character motivations, actions, intentions and
quotes.
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS
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Selfish
Whore
17, niece of Parris
(19)-”Now look you…sit up and stop this”
(11)- “Why…I am sure it is”, “There be no blush about
my name”
(11)- “she [Elizabeth] hates me…I will not work for
such a woman”
Motivations: wants to kill Elizabeth so she can be
with John Proctor
Stabs herself with a needle to frame Elizabeth for
attempted murder.
Accuses others to save her own behind
Runs away with MERCY LEWIS and steals Parris’
money.
JOHN PROCTOR
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35 year old, male
He is a lecher (someone who sleeps with multiple
women)
Sinful, stern, goodhearted, and honest
(73)-”If she is innocent…vengence”
(62)- “since we build the church…the man dreams
cathedrals not clapboards and meeting house”
(132)- “I have confessed myself…it is enough”
Motivations: he wants to expose Abigail for lying and
he wants to save himself and Elizabeth.
He wants forgiveness for what he did to Elizabeth.
Actions: demands release of Elizabeth from the court,
he confesses to sleeping with Abigail, he almost signs
his name to the confession but does not at the last
minute because his name is more important.
ELIZABETH PROCTOR
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Mid thirties, wife of John Proctor
She is angry at the affair, she says she has forgiven
John but really hasn’t, doesn’t like or trust Abigail’s
motives.
“I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart
that judges you” (52)
“Spoke or silent a promise is surely made” (58)
“You take my sins upon you , John-” (127)
(No he did not) lies for the first time ever to protect
her husbands reputation (irony)
Forgives him at the end and accepts some of the
blame for what has happened between them
Motivations: protection, preservation of life, sanctity
of their marriage
MARY WARREN
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Teenage girl, servant to the Proctors
Gave Elizabeth a poppet (rag doll) that had a needle
in it. Abigail saw this and used it to frame Elizabeth
for witchcraft.
Wants to speak out but is easily led
Shy, naïve, spineless, and becomes part of the court
Girls accuse her of witchcraft because she went
against them
(110)- “I’ll not hang with you…”
(99)- “It’s not a trick she’s sportin…”
Motivations: to end the witch craft and fear of
Abigail…ultimately to save herself.
Girls accuse her and she takes her testimony back
and turns on John.
DANFORTH
Stolid, loyal to his cause, stern
 “You have heard rebellion spoken in the town?”
(121)
 “Mr. Proctor…back to the devil” (123)
 Doesn’t want to kill Proctor, rather he confesses,
and hopes the others will confess and he can stop
killing people without admitting that the courts
were wrong.
 Monologue (122-123) Doesn’t want to kill anyone,
and if such a loved man as Proctor dies rebellion
is imminent.
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THOMAS PUTNAM
Wealthy, influential, grudge against Francis
nurse, uses witch trials to gain wealth/land
 Motivation: greed, wants to kill off his fellow
landowners for their land.
 Actions: accuses innocents of witch craft for land
instigator grudge against Nurse
 “How may we blame ourselves…” (p26)
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PARRIS (REV)
Annoying, selfish, self-centered, manipulative
 Preaches about hell and damnation rather than
God and love. Is greedy and wants glory and
wealth.
 Wants the hangings to stop at the end so that the
town won’t turn on him like they did in Andover.
 “There is either obedience or the church will burn
like Hell is burning!” (28)
 “There is a party in this church…a faction” (29)
 Motivations: doesn’t want to get thrown out of
the town. Wants to keep his ministry. Graduate
of Harvard and believes he is deserving because
he is so knowledgeable.
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HALE
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Originates from Beverly, an expert in the dark arts,
has a book with all of the devils secrets and tells.
Wants to cleanse the town of the devil, realizes that
the girls are faking and tries to stop it, quits the court
because of the hangings and because John is arrested,
tries to save John at the end and is distraught when
he can’t. Feels guilt and uncertainty in Act Two after
Elizabeth is arrested.
“Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil
fell…” (68)
“I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (111)
“Woman, plead with him! Woman! It is pride, it is
vanity. Be his helper!...” (134)