The Crucible by Arthur Miller written in 1952 is a tragic play

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller, written in 1952, is a tragic play that is based on the Salem witch trials; A period in time where, with no consolation, upholding the law was worth more than the lives of innocent people. The issue with The Crucible is that justice, in court, was unable to prevail; because of this the people of Salem where not able to express trials, free of prejudice. Miller’s message saw a supreme court pursuing complete sovereignty rather than justice for the lives innocent people. three key concepts that will be investigated are: First) How the court of Salem prioritized its laws. Second) How Abigail through manipulation of the court gained an unreasonable amount of power. Third) how justice was, through John Proctor, was unable to prevail. COURT OF SALEMThroughout the crucible, it is clear that the court of Salem prioritized a prejudicial law over the lives of its people. MANIPULATION Throughout Arthur Miller’s The Crucible it is seen that manipulation is used both within and outside of the court. Manipulation, however, has never been more relevant than with Abigail Williams, the main antagonist to the play and individual cause for the death of multiple characters; characters such as Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor. Abigail as a manipulative character is first developed in in (Act 1 page 18) where Abigail says, “Speak nothing’ of it in the village, Susanna”. Abigail shows, in this scene, that she has the power to manipulate others and will go as far to silence them for her own worth. However, manipulation has never embodied Abigail more than in Act 2 page 49 where she goes as far to throw three innocent people under the bus in an attempt to manipulate the court; “I want to open myself!…I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osbourn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!”. It clear that Abigail, through a complex of lies, has manipulates the court into granting her a plethora (unreasonable amount) of power.