How does miller present the character of Abigail in the crucible?
The character of Abigail Williams in 'The Crucible' is of great importance in the play. Abigail, among many other factors, is the main cause for the Salem witchcraft trials. When the audience first meet Abigail they instantly realise that she is a deceitful person and a constant liar. "Abigail Williams, seventeen, enters - a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an endless capacity for dissembling". Abigail starts to show her dishonesty in the beginning of Act One. As Abigail enters the room she is faced with Parris, he stars to interrogate her about Betty, and why she is ill. Abigail denies everything and acts innocently to try and get the blame off herself. Parris then says to her, "...I saw a dress lying on the grass". Abigail then replies, "(innocently) a dress?" Abigail knows exactly what Parris is talking about but she still continues to lie. This quote shows that Abigail is very ruthless and that she will do anything to keep herself in the clear. Furthermore it shows the audience Abigail's first reaction when she is under pressure, she lies instantly.
As we move further along in the play, the audience learns more about Abigail's character. She seems to get very hostile and selfish towards everyone. When Abigail is left alone with her peers she acts exceptionally malicious towards them knowing that they are younger than her and cannot stand up to her. Abigail shows no love or compassion towards her little cousin Betty, who is ill due to her actions in the forest the other night. When Betty and the girls are left with Abigail, Abigail threatens them not to speak a word of what happened in the forest. Also she tells the girls about the death of her parents to scare them and show them what she is capable of doing. "I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you". This quote shows Abigail's aggressive side and maybe suggests...