Analysis Of The Percible And Coree In The Crucible

Truth is oftentimes glazed over or obscured by the sweet words of the manipulator, and the journey to discover it is painful in the mental aspect by challenging one’s mindset or morals. To those who have faith in truth, however, it can be a savior shining a light onto the path of righteousness. In the play The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, the eloquent lies of a single girl by the name of Abigail expands into full-blown witch trials where minister Reverend Hale is brought in to examine the markings of those tainted by the Devil. Within his time spent in the ominous village of Salem, the lies exposed to him begin to query his life-long standings of the Bible and God. As he further uncovers the truths, Hale’s role in the Salem Witch Trials undergoes a dramatic transformation from a certain accuser, to a precarious bystander, to the defender of the tried.

Giles Corey, a classic example of naive ignorance, speaks without a thought of the possible consequences. Throughout the text, the fool innocently throws fellow townspeople under the bus, including his own wife. After rumor of witchcraft brings the Reverend to Salem, Corey consults with Hales, about his wife's habit of reading “strange” books, claiming that: “It discomforts me! Last night… I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she closes her book and walks out the house, and suddenly - mark this - I could pray again!” (46; act 1). This grand display of ignorance surrendered Goody Corey to the accusation of witchcraft, causing her to endure persecution and later recieve her punishment, hanging. Despite Giles attempts

In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, Reverend Hale states " No principle however glorious is worth dying for ". I strongly disagree with this statement and so do others. First off, there are countless examples throughout history of people putting their lives on the line for what they believe in. Secondly, in the play The Crucible there are many people such as John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Giles Corey who would rather die than to cowardly admit to witchcraft just so they won't be killed.

Giles Corey, a litigious, foolish old man, transitions into a man who values his integrity and his family’s well being and fortune. Giles is naïve, and once he realized his actions and questions have caused his wife Martha to be "somewhat mentioned" in court, and eventually convicted as a witch, he is mortified, “I mentioned my wife’s name once and ill burn in hell long enough for that”. Giles’ integrity is prevalent when he denies to give the accusers information despite the extreme torture he is under. While Danforth stands by his decision to sentence many people to their

"I never had no wife that be so taken with books, and I thought to find the cause of it, d’y’see, but it were no witch I blamed her for. He is openly weeping. I have broke charity with the woman, I have broke charity with her. He covers his face, ashamed. Giles Corey got caught up in the hysteria of the witch trials and got his wife accused of being a witch.

Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, focuses on the inconsistencies and injustice of the 1692 witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts. The restrictive Puritan society of Salem in the 17th century was based upon religious intolerance, where faith was demonstrated through physical labour and by strict adherence to religious doctrine. Material, physical and sexual desires were considered the Devil’s work and a threat to the very fabric of society. In summary, it is said that Puritanism discouraged individualism on all levels. The literal way in which the Bible was interpreted by the Puritans, provides a paradox within the play. This is because although the Bible says “thou shalt not kill,” the people of Salem are willing to sentence innocent

Miller's The Crucible, there has been a conflict arising dealing with the fear of witches after a couple girls were caught dancing in the woods, hence the Salem witch trials. Many of us have been told at least once in our lives, not to lie, since it was the wrong thing to do. In this story, that's not the case with Reverend Hale since he tells Elizabeth Proctor that no ethic, however glorious is worth dying for and he argues that it is better to give a false confession than to die for a principle of belief. In my opinion, this statement is paradoxical. Some people may assert that it is okay to lie to save a life or your own, however, I believe they aren’t seeing the big picture; first of all, when a person lies during these trials they are condemning others who may or may not be guilty, continuing the cycle of prosecution, destroying their own reputation, and sinning by lying.

“Giles Corey was not executed for refusing to name a witness, as in the movie. The play is accurate: he was accused of witchcraft, and refused to enter a plea, which held up the proceedings, since the law of the time required that the accused enter a plea. He was pressed to death with stones, but the method was used to try to force him to enter a plea so that his trial could proceed. Corey probably realized that if he was tried at all, he would be executed.” (Burns 4)

The play The Crucible, was written by Arthur Miller in 1953. It is a story he wrote after his own experience being accused of communism. This affected a lot of well-known people in the United States during this time, and was considered a witch hunt similar to the Salem witch hunts. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible about a man, John Proctor, who has an affair with Abigail Williams. She catches feelings for him and tries to cast a spell on John Proctor’s wife to kill her; this gets out of hand when Abigail’s uncle catches her and some other girls dancing during the spell in the woods. Suddenly, the whole town is living in fear of who is practicing witchcraft, who could be a witch, and innocent people are killed if they don’t confess to being witches. Overall, mass fear and panic, and false accusations are seen over and over throughout the play.

Several characters that accused others seemed to have other motifs than to cleanse the town of witchcraft. One, for instance, was Thomas Putnam. Putnam was a wealthy and greedy citizen of Salem. During the play, he accuses people of witchcraft to acquire more land. In the play, Giles Corey states that Putnam told his daughter to accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft. If Jacobs were to hang, the only citizen in Salem wealthy enough to buy his land was Putnam. Giles reported this and when he would not name the man who told him, Danforth arrests him for contempt of court. They torture Giles by placing large stones on his chest, making it hard to breathe, until he confesses. The only words Giles spoke were “more weight”.

Giles Corey choose to get more involved with the court to save his wife and protect his family which causes him to be killed from integrity. Giles Corey doesn't really understand how it's his fault. It all happened in act one of The Crucible he was

As the trials go on, many more accusations are made. Giles Corey accuses Putnam of trying to get other landowners hanged for witchcraft so that he can have their land for himself. Marshall Danforth asks for a source and the person’s name. Giles says that he cannot give out the person’s name. Giles is in the court because his wife, Martha Corey had been arrested and accused of witchcraft. She gave away a pig to a man, and the pig became ill and died shortly after the pig was acquired. Francis Nurse is in the court because his wife, Rebecca Nurse was arrested too. He along with Giles continue to confront Danforth about Putnam’s doing, but Danforth responds with that they will have to put their thoughts into writing

Reverend Hale has been accounted for making many statements inspired by devout faith. His beliefs and hope lead his actions throughout everything he does and everything he thinks. This is not inherently a negative thing, but his faith can lead to him being very ignorant at times. “Theology is a fortress. No crack in a fortress shall be considered small” (Miller 64).

The tragic events of the Salem witch trials tested the morality of several individuals, who abided to a government based on religious intolerance and limitation. Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” highlights the detrimental effects of the religious court, and the impact Puritan societal norms had on its citizens. Reverend Hale, a protagonist in the play serves as a balance between morality versus and the religious conformity that took place within society. His transformation throughout the play demonstrates his true intention in doing what is right and abiding by the correct ideals, instead of following the damaging priorities enrooted in the theocratic system. Throughout “The Crucible,” Reverend Hale transfers from adhering to a theocracy to prioritizing the true value of life, revealing his maintenance of a strong moral code.

The image of Giles Corey does Elizabeth’s words convey in this act is described Corey as a “fearsome man” who died for what was right. He gave no contentment to his accusers when he was crushed to death: instead of screaming he yelled, “more weight”. Miller uses Giles Corey as an example of the strength of character. He refuses to accept the court and what it stands for. He will die refusing a corrupt court rather than live accepting