The Crucible By Arthur Miller CHARACTERS Main Characters

The Crucible By Arthur Miller CHARACTERS

Main Characters of The Crucible Character Physical Description Personality Traits Actions Motivations Opinion

Reverend Parris • Mid-40 s • Widower with children • • Not a bad father, just did not understand children Lacked control in his household • Paranoid and self-pitying • Concerned with what others think of him • Power-hungry • Disliked by parishioners • Hostile

Betty Parris Ø 10 year old daughter of Reverend Parris Ø Falls into “stupor” Ø After father caught her dancing in the woods Ø Her illness sparks rumors of witchcraft

Abigail Williams • Orphaned • Niece of Rev. Parris • “Strikingly beautiful” • Smart and cunning • “Dissembling” • Hides true feelings and motives • Vindictive (strong desire for revenge • Had an affair with John Proctor • Leader of the group

Tituba Rev. Parris’s slave From Barbados Cares about the children Is the first accused of witchcraft Confesses and Repents!

John Proctor Mid 30 s Successful farmer easy going Thinks for himself Often seen as a loner Respected in Salem Logical and tolerant Sees himself as a sinner b/c of his affair Proud Dislikes Reverend Parris

Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife “Sickly” Virtuous Cold (sexually & emotionally) Eager to please her husband Timid Avoids conflict Often sad

Mary Warren 18 years old Proctor’s servant Lonely Easily influenced by others Worried

Thomas Putnam 50 years old Eldest son of richest man in Salem Wealthy Landowner Fights with others over land Greedy Nosy Jumps to conclusions Vindictive Little concern for others

Ann Putnam 45 years old Thomas’ wife “Haunted” and “twisted soul” Lost 7 infants Blames others for misfortunes Nosy

Ruth Putnam Thomas and Ann’s daughter Only surviving daughter Falls into stranger stupor After Rev. Parris found dancing in woods Like her “soul was taken”

Mercy Lewis 18 years old Girl in Abigail’s group “Fat” Sly and merciless Apathetic “Beat” Ruth when ill

Francis Nurse Respected in the town Serves as unofficial judge for disputes Self-made man Resented by others Target of jealousy Enemy of Thomas Putnam

Rebecca Nurse 72 years old Francis’ wife Gentle, caretaker Calm and strong One of the accused Experienced Believes “sickness” just boredom of teenage girls Reasonable Wants peace and tolerance in Salem

Giles Corey 83 years old “Comical Hero” Blamed for everything Deeply innocent Ignorant and uneducated Pressed to death

Martha Corey Giles’ third wife Enjoys reading Leads to her accusation of witchcraft

Reverend John Hale 40 years old from Beverly Specialist in demonology Intellectual Reserves judgment His arrival sets the hysteria in motion

Ezekiel Cheever Clerk of the court Upright citizen Determined to perform duty for court

Deputy Governor Danforth 60 years old Grave Allows humor Still business-like Great respect for court Honest True Puritan Believes he is doing what is right Sense of Justice

Judge Hathorne Presides over the witch trials Rushes to judgment Impatient Partial and unfair