The Crucible- Coursework Assignments Essay Example for Free

The Crucible- Coursework Assignments Essay Proctor is introduced to the Plays audience fairly early in the play, his entrance on the scene being announced rather dramatically by Mary Warrens reaction to it. The stage directions dictate the atmosphere surrounding Proctors entrance. The actress playing the part of Mary Warren is directed to leap in fright upon seeing Proctor enter, thereby portraying proctor as a character who is feared by Mary Warren, although the reason for that fear is not yet apparent. Mary Warren has already been portrayed as a servant in Proctors house and her directed reaction to meeting him at this point in the play gives us an insight into his relationship with her and generally into the effect that he has on people in his own household. Clearly Mary Warren at this point shows the audience that Proctor is either a man worthy of great respect and that she is in awe of him or that he is a domineering, unpleasant employer. The stage direction and Mary Warrens reaction as directed leave the audience in doubt as to precisely what type of character Proctor is, but in no doubt as to his effect on Mary herself. It is only when Proctor begins to speak that the audience learns that he is a strong minded and strict employer, capable of making life difficult for his servants and demanding unquestioning obedience. His opening remarks to Mary betray his character as such an employer when he says: Be you foolish, Mary Warren? Be you deaf? I forbid you to leave the house, did I not? Why shall I pay you? I am looking for you more often than my cows!  Despite the initial impression of Proctor as a man perhaps worthy of great awe and respect, he audience begins to see another side of the character in his dealings and conversation with Abigail. Abigail was at first brought into Proctors house as an aide for his wife Elizabeth. Whilst performing her duties as an aide, Abigail became involved in an intimate relationship with Proctor, unbeknown to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was aware of there being an unusual relationship between them but not aware of the extent or nature of the relationship. Proctor and Abigail conducted a secret and illicit affair for some time before Elizabeth became aware of the adultery and brought an end to the relationship by expelling Abigail from the house.  I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the highroad. So as not to be disgraced, Elizabeth maintains to the world at large that her marriage is fine, but Proctors behaviour with Abigail has placed a strain on their marriage. Proctor is resentful of many things. Firstly he is clearly remorseful about the manner in which his conduct has affected his marriage and his relationship with Elizabeth. On the other hand he is resentful of Elizabeth for bringing to an end the relationship with Abigail which he obviously valued. His feelings towards Abigail are a mixture of anger (because of the damage to his marriage and the fact that a continued relationship with her is impossible) and longing in that if he had the opportunity to carry on the affair with Abigail or had his time again, he would continue the illicit relationship. He is therefore a man torn between his duty as a husband and his desires as Abigails former lover. He demonstrates this by flirting with Abigail but then moments later reminding her that their relationship can never be rekindled. Over shadowing all of these feelings is Proctors guilt at his infidelity. Although Proctors private life has been subjected to turmoil through his adultery with Abigail, this seems not to have affected his generally confident and opinionated views of matters outside his home. His first impressions, for example, of the mumblings of witch craft are sarcastic and betray his view that the suggestions are ridiculous.  (his smile widening): Ah, youre wicket yet, arent y!  Clearly Proctor believes the suggestions of witchcraft to be nothing but foolish nonsense of which he should take little or no notice. It is perhaps because he is talking to Abigail with whom he is flirting but at the same time trying to keep his distance that he does not take the talk of witchcraft seriously. He clearly has a special heart for Abigail, which he can no longer admit to, and his views of her and feelings towards her cloud his judgement on the aspect of witchcraft. He cannot take her seriously in this regard and simply makes a joke of the whole issue since his attentions are torn between his loving regard for her and his marital duty. Proctor constantly fights with his desire for Abigail whilst defending his duty as a married man not to become involved with her again. His guilt is obvious.  Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before Ill ever reach for you again. Wipe is out of mind. We never touched, Abby. Proctors conversations with his wife Elizabeth further show the extent to which he is over sensitive about his conduct in the past. In their discussion in act two concerning the allegations of witchcraft in Salem, he is very defensive of Elizabeths suggestions that he go into Salem in order to set the record straight. The fact that he would have to call into doubt the word of Abigail makes matters worse. He knows that it is only right and proper that he go into Salem to tell the court that Abigail has fabricated the stories of witchcraft but it is his feelings for Abigail that have prevented him from doing so up to now. He knows that he cannot simply stand by and allow innocent people to hang, but if he exposes Abigail, he also runs the risk of harm to her and exposing his own infidelity. This is why he is so reluctant to go into Salem. His annoyance with Elizabeth is not based on her persistence in asking him to do the right thing (which he knows he must do) but rather upon her understandable doubts as to his true motives for not going into Salem immediately to challenge Abigail. Elizabeths criticism is justified and proctors anger is not.