2. John Proctor
1632–August 19, 1692

3. Tragic Hero
Farmer
Married with two sons (with Elizabeth; had 18 children total between his three wives)
35 Years old in the play (60 in real life)
Middle class
Honest
Has own value system
Protects wife/family/himself
Reputation is major factor in his development
Doesn’t believe in church protocol
Significance of your name

4. Elizabeth Proctor

5. John’s Wife
Two sons with John
Virtuous, upstanding woman
Very cold demeanor
John and Elizabeth’s Marriage is obviously strained

6. Reverend Samuel Parris
1653 – 1720

7. Puritan Minister of Salem
Highest ranking resident of Salem
Self-centered, egotistical, self-righteous
Overly concerned with his own power and prestige
Sermons are overly concerned with hell, fire, and brimstone
Widowed father
Daughter Betty (age 10) and niece Abigail (age 17) initiated the hysteria that created the Salem Witch Trials

8. Reverend John Hale

9. “Expert” Witch Hunting and the “Demonic Arts” from nearby Beverly, Mass
Original signer of all executions and impetus for “witch hunt”
Later becomes the victim’s advocate
First powerful figure to doubt validity of witchcraft in Salem

10. Deputy Governor/Judge Thomas Danforth 1622-1699
Upholds the court’s power
Most powerful political figure in Salem
Egotistical and Pretentious

11. Judge John Hathorne
Judge/Executor during Witch Trials
Cynical
Egotistical
Emotionless

12. Rebecca Nurse

13. Saintly old woman (83 in play)
Highly respected around Salem
Virtuous, highly religious
Has served as midwife to many families in Salem
Protects the good
Highly doubtful of “witches”
Scapegoat
Husband (Francis Nurse)

14. Giles Corey

15. Controversial old man (72)
Husband to Martha Corey
Frequently sued and in court due to land disputes
Believes in the power and prestige of family
Pressed to death to preserve his family

16. Thomas and Ann Putnam 1651-1699 Upper Class family in town
Very wealthy and powerful
Holds a grudge against the town and Reverend Parris over his appointment
Constantly looking to gain more power ($$) and land
Seven of their eight children died very early or at birth
They blame Rebecca Nurse for their children’s deaths
Frequent accusers
Only surviving child is Ruth

17. The Girls
Susanna Walcott, Mercy Lewis (Putnam Servant), Mary Warren (Proctor Servant), Ann Putnam, Jr., Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, Tituba

18. Mary Warren Mercy Lewis
Tituba
Susanna (Mary) Walcott

19. Ruth Putnam Betty Parris

20. Abigail Williams

21. Niece of Samuel Parris
Previously worked as a servant for the Proctor’s but was removed
Rumors persist that she is a “soiled woman”
Lives with her uncle and cousin (Betty)
17 years old in play (11 in real life)
One of the first accusers (with Betty) during the witch trials
Play’s antagonist
Over time becomes the most powerful person in Salem
Serves as a witness during the trials