Abigail Williams Act Three 1 I have naught

Abigail Williams Act Three

1. “I have naught to change, sir. She lies” (p. 83) • Why does Danforth summon Abigail and the other girls to Court? • What does Danforth remind her of and what opportunity does he give her? • How does Abigail respond to what Danforth tells her? • What does this scene reveal about Abigail’s character?

Teacher’s notes • Danforth summons Abigail and the other girls to court because Proctor and Mary Warren have claimed that they are making false accusations of witchcraft against innocent people. • Danforth reminds Abigail of the profound seriousness of the accusations that they are making and that the penalty for the crime of witchcraft is death. He also reminds her that it is a crime against God to bear false witness against another person. Danforth gives Abigail an opportunity to retract her accusations and admit that they were lying and pretending. If she does so, he will be lenient with her.

• Abigail does not accept Danforth’s offer: instead, she refuses to admit that she has been lying and calmly denies the accusations of Proctor and Mary. Indeed, she accuses them of being dishonest and of making false allegations against her. Despite being given an opportunity to own up to her deceit and thus bring the madness of the witch-trials to an end, Abigail firmly denies any wrongdoing or dishonesty regarding the accusations she has made. She maintains that the accusations she has made, including the one against Elizabeth, are true.

• This scene demonstrates that Abigail is determined not to give up the power and status that she has gained in recent weeks, even if it means that many more innocent people will continue to suffer. She clearly feels no guilt or remorse for the pain and anguish that she has inflicted. She is determined to pursue her need for power and revenge and nothing will change her mind.

Techniques • Dialogue. • Characterisation. • Key scene.

2. “(in an open threat) Let you beware, Mr Danforth. Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!” (p. 87) • What does Abigail threaten Danforth with? • What provokes her to make this threat? • What does this scene reveal about Abigail’s character and how much she has changed since the beginning of the play?

Teacher’s notes • Abigail openly threatens to accuse Danforth of being a witch and of being in league with the Devil. • Abigail has grown angry at Danforth for questioning the honesty of her accusations. She resents the fact that she is being doubted and that Danforth is even considering the possibility she might be lying. She seems affronted that he would even think to question her honesty. She reacts very defensively and presents herself as being a victim who has been physically attacked for doing God’s work and yet is getting no thanks for it, only mistrust.

• The fact that Abigail remains resolute and strong during Danforth’s questioning emphasises how much more confident and self-assured she is now. The fact that Abigail openly threatens a man of Danforth’s stature emphasises that she now sees herself as being almost invincible- if anyone tries to harm her she knows that she can accuse them of witchcraft. She also recognises how important she is- the witch-trials would collapse without her evidence. She knows that Danforth needs her testimony in order to prove that the accused are guilty.

Techniques • Stage directions. • Dialogue. • Characterisation.

3. “Mr Danforth, he is lying!” (p. 88) • How does Abigail react when Proctor claims that they had an affair? • Explain the reasons why she reacts this way.

Teacher’s notes • Abigail strongly denies Proctor’s claims that they had an affair and accuses him of being a liar. When Danforth questions her about it, she seems furious and deeply insulted and threatens to leave the court if her honesty is doubted again.

• Abigail knows that if she admits to the affair then this will have dire consequences for her: 1. it will seem like she accused Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch out of jealousy and spite. It will be obvious that the accusation was designed to remove the main rival for Proctor’s affections. Furthermore, this will cast doubt on all of her other accusationspeople will start to question her true motives behind them and her lies will eventually be exposed. 2. Abigail will have the reputation of being promiscuous, which is a violation of the Puritan religious and moral code. She will be known as a bad Christian and a sinner.

As a result of 1 and 2, Abigail’s new power, status and influence in Salem would be threatened, if not completely destroyed. She would likely be arrested and tried for bearing false witness which led to the arrest, imprisonment and death of innocent people. Or, she would return to being a poor, lowly servant girl with the reputation of being promiscuous and of being a liar and a murderer. She would be excommunicated and forced to leave Salem and live the rest of her life in shame.

Techniques • Key scene. • Dialogue. • Characterisation.

4. “Oh, Heavenly Father. Take away this shadow!” (page 88). “Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape!”(page 92) • How is Abigail able to undermine Mary’s evidence against her? • What does her treatment of Mary suggest about Abigail? • Abigail is able to manipulate Danforth throughout this scene. What does this reveal about her?

• Abigail is able to convince Danforth that Mary’s testimony is false by pretending that Mary is in league with the Devil and is sending out her spirit in court to harm her and the other girls. As a result of the girls’ acting, Danforth believes that Mary is a witch and he accuses her of working for Satan. Abigail is able to convince Danforth that Mary has been sent by the Devil to undermine the good works of the court. Danforth, therefore, is led to believe that Mary’s testimony is not to be trusted or believed.

• Mary is Abigail’s friend, yet Abigail is willing to sacrifice her and accuse her of being a witch in order to protect herself. Abigail does not hesitate to manipulate Danforth into thinking that Mary is a witch even though this will lead to Mary’s arrest, imprisonment and possible execution. She feels no guilt or shame in completely destroying a girl who is weaker, more vulnerable and less intelligent than her. This demonstrates how cold-hearted, cruel and determined Abigail is.

• Abigail’s ability to manipulate a man as experienced and intelligent as Danforth emphasises: - Her ability to think and act quickly. - Her intelligence. - Her skill as an actress. - Her ability to lead and control the other girls. Abigail is able to think and act quickly and intelligently whenever she sees herself as being threatened, or when she sees an opportunity to advance her own interests. She carefully decides when to pretend that Mary is attacking her, and her skills as an actress combined with her ability to lead the other girls mean that she is able to successfully manipulate Danforth into believing that Mary is under the influence of Satan.

Techniques • Characterisation. • Dialogue. • Key scene.