Abigail Williams is greedy for John Proctor. Despite the fact that he is married, and despite his wife's knowledge of their former affair, Abigail continues to want him all to herself. In Act I, she speaks to him with "concentrated desire," according to stage direction, saying, "John -- I am waitin' for you every night." She is so greedy for his love that she is willing to do just about anything to get it, including accusing his innocent wife of witchcraft. Once Elizabeth learns that her name has been mentioned in court in Act II, she knows it too. She says, "It is her dearest hope, John, I know it [....]. [Abigail] thinks to take my place [...]." Abigail is greedy for Elizabeth's husband and position.
Abigail is also greedy for attention and power. At the end of Act I, when Tituba has confessed to witchcraft, naming Goody Good and Goody Osburn as fellow witches, all eyes are on her and Reverend Hale, who assures Tituba that she is "God's instrument" to help them root out the evil in Salem. Hale treats her kindly and gently, speaking to her of her special purpose. Suddenly, from nowhere, Abigail cries out that she, too "want[s] to open [her]self!" The other characters are "startled" by her outburst because their attention has been focused elsewhere, but Abigail seems to have realized that she will have to do as Tituba has done in order to remain the center of attention in this matter; she even seems to have realized the power granted her by making accusations as she continues to make them, naming four other women before the end of the act.
No comments:
Post a Comment