The Crucible by Arthur Miller Elizabeth

How do Elizabeth’s language and actions contribute to the tension in the final act?  “Aye. It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey.”  Elizabeth uses a respectful tone in describing the heroic actions of Giles Corey prior to his death.  This has a dramatic influence on Proctor as he now realises what he must do in order to gain respect from his wife and to find forgiveness in himself.  Elizabeth implies through her description of Giles death that she expects her husband to demonstrate similar strength of character. Although Proctor doesn’t react the audience know that he is aware of Elizabeth's suggestions.

In what ways does Elizabeth’s language and actions relate to the theme of the play ‘the importance of reputation and social standing’, ‘the nature of forgiveness?’, ‘corruption’, ‘religious fanaticism’?  “I cannot judge you, John.”  This relates to the nature of forgiveness and refers back to early in the play when Elizabeth says ‘I do not judge you, the magistrate in your heart that judges you.’  Elizabeth shows that Proctor must learn to forgive himself before she can.  Hale, Parris and Danforth all try to find answers in Elizabeth as she is the only character not corrupt in the play.

How do we judge this character’s actions in the final act? How do we feel about their final actions/decisions/words?  Elizabeth blames herself for Proctor’s sins.  “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”  Elizabeth has changed from the beginning of the play. At the start she is blunt whereas at the end she is more sympathetic towards her husband’s actions.

What message does the resolution of this character’s part in the play contain for the audience? What, if anything, should we learn from this character’s part in the whole play?  Elizabeth is the most consistent, least deserving of criticism and the character who suffers the most throughout the course of the…  Elizabeth proves that even the least deserving are not immune from the capricious nastiness of the court, Danforth and the forces of evil. In a sense Elizabeth stands for the innocent victim. She is incapable of preventing her husband from dying or of changing her own circumstances.  We admire Elizabeth however, as she does not waver or disintegrate under the most extraordinary pressure. We also admire her integrity – she only lies to the court under the most extreme pressure: a lie that it is hard to judge her for. We respect the fact that she remains with Proctor – someone she tries to see the best in despite his bad treatment of her…she even takes some of the responsibility for the predicament she and Proctor find themselves in at the end… “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”

How has this character “changed” or developed over the course of the drama?  The character of Elizabeth stays consistent throughout the play  She has continuously refused to pardon or interfere in her husband's moral dilemma. In the final act she repeats the phrase ‘I do not judge you’ a number of times. She does not believe it is her responsibility nor does she force or command her husband’s actions – to the point that she is willing to quietly observe his sacrifice. This ‘quiet dignity’ is consistent with Elizabeth’s character throughout the play, confusing and angering Proctor in Act II and similarly confusing Hale, Parris, and Danforth in the final scenes of the play: all three request that she pardon her husband or interfere in his judgement making. She ignores all, full in the knowledge that Proctor must decide for himself…”Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it.”  In many ways Elizabeth, despite being accused of witchcraft by Abigail, is the least affected of all of the characters in the play. She demonstrates a resolute persona throughout. Perhaps it is this quality that Proctor fell in love with. She is certainly the strongest character in the play.

Why we might criticise Elizabeth  Hale, Danforth and Parris criticise Elizabeth in the final scene because she shows no emotion towards her husbands conviction.  “Are you stone?...have the devil dried up any tear of pity in you?”  Stone implies Elizabeth is unsympathetic and emotionless, this is ironic because Danforth is comparing her to something lifeless.  Danforth accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft.