Mary’s innocence and fearfulness show when she feels guilty about the girls’ activity in the woods, saying “Abby, we’ve got to tell. In contrast to a manipulative character such as Abigail, Mary Warren is “…a subservient, lonely girl” (Miller 25), more innocent and obedient. Mary Warren, a pawn in the ploy Abigail concocts to replace Elizabeth, is Miller’s way of showing through a character that being swept up in mass hysteria can cause even the most good-hearted people to commit destructive acts. Through a character as agressive and cunning as the young Abigail Williams, Miller portrays how power hungry individuals will destroy everything in their path to get what they want. She then takes advantage of the hysteric environment to later accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft and have Elizabeth arrested. Abigail expresses her strong dislike toward Goody Proctor by referring to her as “it” (Miller 11). It is learned that Abigail is jealous of John Proctor’s wife Elizabeth as she claims in Act I, “…it is a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman!” (Miller 11). Motivated by wanting John Proctor all to herself and having witnessed the brutal murder of her parents, Abigail is selfish and manipulative, which is seen when she tries to guilt John into continuing their affair, guilting him with the words “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity me!” (Miller 24).

Miller provides perfect details which support her role as one of the true villains.

The most intriguing character in the play is antagonist Abigail Williams, the force responsible for putting the witch hysteria into action. Several characters in The Crucible take that advantage and thrive on the phenomenon. An environment is established in which characters can act out on grudges. Throughout the play, hysteria regarding witchcraft spreads about the town of Salem.

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