Act III Summary

Act III begins with Judge Hawthorne interrogating Martha Corey. Giles Corey and Francis Nurse demand to share their evidence. Deputy Governor Danforth asks them to write down their information for the court’s consideration.

John Proctor and Mar Warren enter; Mary longs to confess that the girls’ testimony is false. Danforth assures them that the court will probe the matter carefully and consider every possibility.

Reverend Parris repeatedly accuses John of attempting to undermine and influence the court. Danforth and Parris continue to interrogate John about the depth of his and Elizabeth’s religious beliefs as well as his wife’s honesty and integrity. John provides Danforth a deposition signed by ninety-one townsfolk asserting that Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse and his wife, Elizabeth, are upstanding Christian women and have never displayed any intention or inclination of working in favor of the Devil.

Danforth then receives a deposition from Corey accusing Mr. Putnam of coercing his daughter so he could secure Jacob’s conviction, which would then allow him to acquire Jacob’s land. However, Corey is charged with contempt of court. To prove that it was vengeance and the desire to acquire land that had motivated the witch hunt, John gives Danforth Mary’s deposition naming Abigail as the ringleader of the conspiracy.

As Mary declares the information to be true, Abigail arrives and accuses Mary of lying. Abigail then insinuates that they are not free from the spell of witchcraft even in court.

To destroy Abigail’s hold over the court’s proceedings, John admits to the court that he had once had an affair with Abigail. Danforth then summons Elizabeth, who denies that the affair took place. John tells her that he has already informed the court of the affair. She cries out loud, realizing that she has unwittingly condemned him to death.

As Abigail pretends to experience a hallucination, Mary alleges that John would murder her if Elizabeth was hanged. John and Giles are arrested and taken to jail.

Reverend Hale consequently denounces the witch hunt and trials.

Act III Analysis

Act III depicts the worsening of an already turbulent conflict. Danforth refuses to accept the depositions put forth by John, Francis, and Giles.

The only proof to convict the accused are the girls’ dramatic actions. Hale attempts to convince Danforth that the hearings are so aggressive that people fear they may be declared guilty by association. Danforth refuses to pay heed; he also does not believe John when he confesses to having had an affair with Abigail. Danforth casts doubt on John’s word and asks for Elizabeth’s response to his confession. Elizabeth, assuming that John has denied the affair, states that the affair did not take place, thereby inadvertently incriminating John.