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Comparison of Elizabeth Proctor with Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

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Comparison of Elizabeth Proctor with Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor, the leading female characters in 'The Crucible'. Both show determination in order to get what they want. Abigail, a cunning girl that is out for revenge, feels she has superiority over many of the other characters even though she is only a young girl. Elizabeth's character portrays a wife in distress after she finds out about her husband's affair, yet she still has courage throughout the play. She shows determination when she is in need of strength to keep her going, after Abigail accused her of witchcraft. Elizabeth is often cold and not open towards people yet she changes as …show more content…

Throughout the play Abigail tries to show the other characters that she is not to blame for her mistakes. An example of her trying to blame other people is when she tells her uncle that he should go and deny the witchcraft accusations. By not denying the allegations herself and having someone else do it, shows that she has support from other townspeople. Elizabeth Proctor is a strong woman who is blamed for witchcraft because of Abigail's accusations. Abigail claims that Elizabeth is a liar and is bitter, but when the reader meets Elizabeth for the first time they realize it is just Abigail exaggerating. Elizabeth knows that Abigail wants her dead " She knew all week it would come to this!" (Act II), Elizabeth knew that Abigail was accusing her of witchcraft. The scene when Elizabeth is arrested shows that her character is courageous. She stays calm at the time and gives directions to the family to live by while she is gone. She tells Mary Warren to "Speak nothing of witchcraft" to the children because "it will frighten them" (Act II). Talking about normal things may keep Elizabeth from realizing the fear that she is going to encounter. Throughout the trial Elizabeth shows courage and strength,

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