The Crucible by Arthur Miller :: Essay on The Crucible

The CrucibleTo what extent is fundament and Elizabeths relationship the main way ofthe play?In this essay I am going to discus to what extent throne and Elizabethsrelationship is the focus of the Crucible. The play was set in 1962,in a small, American village called Salem. As Salem was governed by aTheocracy, the whole village was extremely religious.After reading the Crucible I think that John and Elizabethsrelationship is the main focus of the play, we can see in each act howtheir feelings and emotions towards their relation ship changes andprogresses end-to-end the play. In Act 1 we are introduced to JohnProctor. We find out that he is a farmer in his middle thirties andthat he is known, and respected throughout the village as a good,honest man. We also learn that John has committed adultery with hisformer servant Abigail Williams, niece of Reverend Paris. Johndeeply dec this, and, as we learn from act one he wishes to nolonger peruse his relation ship with Abigail any barel y I will stretchoff my hand before I ever reach for you again Abigail responds tothis remark in anger, not being able to bear the fact that John nolonger wants her. She calls Elizabeth a cold, snivelling woman andaccuses her of spreading lies She is blackening my name in thevillage, she is spreading lies about me Immediately John responds indefence of his married woman Youll speak nothin of Elizabeth We can seefrom this Act how John cant bear the fact that he committed such aterrible hell against his wife who he loves and cares for.In At 2, we learn more about John and Elizabeths feelings towardseach other. It begins with them having a cultivate conversation,perhaps too civilised for a married couple, Elizabeth is keeping heranswers short and blunt, for example Thats well and It mustbe. John picks up on this, and asks Elizabeth if she is sad again. Aswe read further we find out that Elizabeth thought John had gone intoSalem, as he was home so late. What she really means when she saysYou come so late I thought youd gone to Salem this afternoon, isthat she thought John had been to see Abigail. Elizabeth knows thatJohn had an affair with Abby, and she still holds this against him.The fact that Elizabeth bought this subject up angers John andtherefore, results in an argument. John hates it that Elizabeth cannotseem to forgive him Spare me You forgive nothin and forget nothin