Explore the relationships between John and Elizabeth and explain how it contributes to the tragic structure of the play and to our understanding of the community of Salem itself
The relationship of John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth Proctor is a strong bond. Even though John Proctor had cheated on her with Abigail, Elizabeth still forgives him. But there are a few rough patches in the relationship; like the lack of trust. But Elizabeth loves John Proctor so much that she lies in court to prevent John’s name being tarnished, but this lie inevitably ends up killing John Proctor.
In the beginning of the play John speaks about Elizabeth once to Abigail. Abby has said that Elizabeth was a cold and sickly wife. John says to her that she has no right to speak of his wife in such a manner and renounces the comment about her being sickly. ‘You’ll speak nothin’ of Elizabeth!’ He does not, although dismiss Abby’s charge that Elizabeth is a cold wife. He seems to be over protective of Elizabeth, when Abby is speaking ill of Elizabeth he threatens to whip her.
In the beginning of Act 2 there was a great feeling of detachment and tension in the Proctor household. We see John trying to start a conversation with Elizabeth and she only gives him short answers to please him. ‘Pray now for a fair summer... Aye.’ This shows the detachment and tension in the Proctor household. Then the tide turns to her questioning him and he is the one that becomes short with her because she is requesting that he go to Salem and confess that Abigail is liar, to do that though he must confess his sin. ‘I am wondering how I may prove what she told me... You were alone with her?’ During most of the scene they’re not sure of each other. She doesn’t quite trust him, but she loves him. Proctor believes himself to be an abomination in his own eyes and according to his own high standards and especially in