Many characters in the Crucible are definitely to blame for the tragedy of the deaths of the 19 people who had either been hanged or publicly executed in horrible ways. However some of the characters in the play were a lot less flawed then the other characters. Starting with the people in the play who were flawed very little and working my way up to the most flawed characters in the Crucible.I believe that the flaws throughout this are the opportunities where the character has the option to make the right decision but chooses the wrong one resulting in many problems and possibly the overall tragedy.
First character I would like to mention is Reverend Hale who I believe was very slightly flawed. I believe that his only flaw was his ability to be easily manipulated which may have worsened the circumstances within the courtroom and outside of it. According to line 15 on page 46 of “The Crucible” “You are God’s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us. You are selected, Tituba, you are chosen to help us cleanse our village. So speak utterly, Tituba, turn your back on him and face God - face God, Tituba, and God will protect you.” As shown here the only wrong that Hale was in was because of his definite belief that there was witchcraft present.
My second character would be Reverend Parris who is also very slightly flawed. His flaws are shown by how he will not consider changing his mind. According to the first line on page 108 of “The Crucible” “Parris, smiling, but nervous because Danforth seems to be struck by Mary Warren’s story: Surely Your Excellency is not taken by this simple lie.” This is showing that Parris is refusing to believe Mary Warren’s story just because he had deeply believed and trusted that Abigail was telling the truth.
My third character is Mary Warren who is a little more flawed than the last two. She shows this flaw with her want to fit in and be like the other girls. According to Line 13 on Page 18 of “The Crucible” “Mary Warren: Abby, we’ve got to tell. WitcheryNs a hangin error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two year ago! We must tell the truth, Abby! You'll only be whipped for dancin, and the other things!” This is showing that Mary Warren wants to be friends with Abby and the other girls but knows that they are really just lying about the witchcraft in Salem.
My fourth character I would like to mention is Mr Putnam who is a tiny bit more flawed than Mary. He shows this flaw by his greed for money and land. According to line 7 on page 96 of “the Crucible” “My proof is there! Pointing to the paper. If Jacobs hangs for a witch he
forfeit up his property - thatNs law! And there is none but Putnam with the; coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” This is what Giles Corey had said in court against Putnam, and shows how corrupt and greedy Putnam is for land.
My fifth character is John Proctor, who is even more flawed than the last character. John Proctor’s flaw is his overbearing pride. According to line 7 of page 143 of “The Crucible” “You are the high court, your word is good enough! Tell them I confessed myself; say Proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman; say what you will, but my name cannot -” This quote is showing how Proctor will not let his name be signed to his confession as he doesn't want his name to be displayed on the churches walls showing his sense of pride.
Nearing the most flawed character is Judge Danforth. Danforth shows his flaws through his want to be right about the witchcraft in Salem and the power he had to do something to stop the tragedy. According to the 9th line on page 109 of “The Crucible” “Hathorne: Then can she pretend to faint now? Proctor: Now? Danforth: Might it be that here we have no afflicting spirit loose, but in the court there were some?” This is showing how instantly when Mary was unable to faint on purpose that he blamed it on witchcraft which is what he really wanted to be right about.
The most flawed character in The Crucible is definitely Abigail. She shows these flaws by her lust towards John Proctor as well as her willingness to pretend and accuse people of witchcraft. According to line 11 on page 117 “Abigail, pointing upward: The wings! Her wings are spreading! Mary, please, don't, don't - !” This is showing how Abigail began pinning it on Mary as soon as she said that they were all just faking it. This is proving that Abigail is just crazy and definitely the biggest reason for the witch trials due to all of her flaws combined.
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