The Crucible Who’s Who

Reverend Samuel Parris Salem’s town minister. The father of Betty Parris and the uncle of Abigail Williams. A greedy, self-centred man, who is more interested in how people see him and how much money he has, than how to help the townspeople of Salem.

Betty Parris A young girl, and Reverend Parris’ daughter. At the start of the play she has fallen into a coma, after being discovered dancing in the woods near Salem. Becomes one of a group of girls that accuse various Salem townspeople of witchcraft.

Abigail Williams A teenage girl, and the niece of the local Reverend (Parris). Had an affair with John Proctor before the start of the play, and wants to continue her relationship with him. Becomes the leader of a group of girls that accuse various Salem townspeople of witchcraft. Takes advantage of the power that the witch hunts give her, using it to try to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor, whom she believes stands in the way of her relationship with John Proctor.

Tituba The African-American slave of Reverend Parris. Many of the townspeople of Salem believe that Tituba can practice witchcraft. At the start of the play, Tituba is caught trying to practise witchcraft with Abigail and the other girls in the woods outside Salem. Tituba is seen to have a very low status in Salem. She is therefore vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft, as it is unlikely anyone will defend her.

Susanna Walcott and Mercy Lewis Friends of Abigail Williams, Mary Warren and Mercy Lewis. At the start of the play they were discovered dancing in the woods near Salem by Reverend Parris. Become part of a group of girls that accuse various Salem townspeople of witchcraft.

Mary Warren A teenage girl who works as a servant at John Proctor’s farmhouse. At the start of the play she, along with Abigail, Betty and the other girls, was discovered dancing in the woods near Salem. Become part of a group of girls that accuse various Salem townspeople of witchcraft. Proctor tries to use his influence on Mary to get her to admit that these accusations of witchcraft are false.

John Proctor A well-respected farmer. Had an affair with Abigail Williams before the start of the play. Spends much of the play trying to do what he believes is right, and make up for the sins he has committed.

Thomas and Ann Putnam Thomas Putnam is a wealthy Salem landowner and businessman. Putnam often abuses his power as a wealthy man to get people like Parris to do what he wants. The Putnams have had many children, but most of them died a few days after they were born. The Putnams’ daughter Ruth is unwell at the start of the play, in the same way that Betty Parris is.

Rebecca Nurse A well-respected elderly woman that lives in Salem. Known for her intelligence and kindness. Married to Francis Nurse, a character who appears briefly in the play.

Giles Corey An elderly farmer. Often quarrels with his neighbours and takes them to court over disputes he has with them.

Reverend John Hale The minister of Beverley, a town near Salem, and an expert on witchcraft. He has been sent for by Reverend Parris to try to find out if Betty Parris is possessed. While he starts the play firmly believing in the existence of witches, Hale’s beliefs, and his morality, are challenged as the play goes on.

Elizabeth Proctor The wife of John Proctor, a local farmer. Trying to rebuild her relationship with her husband after his affair with Abigail Williams Targeted by Abigail Williams and accused of witchcraft. Generally viewed as an extremely honest, religious woman by the people of Salem.

Ezekiel Cheever and Marshall Herrick One of Salem’s townspeople (the local tailor). Early on in the witch trials, Cheever is made a clerk of the court. This means that he assists the court and its judges in running the witch trials. Marshall Herrick The equivalent of the town’s police officer. Herrick becomes involved in the witch trials as he is called upon to make many of the arrests ordered during the trials, as well as maintaining order in the jails.

Judge Danforth A high-ranking judge that comes to Salem to take charge of the Salem witch hunts. An extremely intelligent and well-educated man. Has to decide whether he is interested in finding out the truth about the accusations of witchcraft, or simply wants to preserve his reputation and the reputation of the court.

Judge Hathorne A judge that it heavily involved in the witch trials, along with Judge Danforth.

Sarah Good One of Salem’s townspeople. One of the first people in Salem to be accused of witchcraft. Like many of the characters in the play, Sarah Good is based on a real person who was involved in the witch trials – this is her actual gravestone.