Women, throughout history, have been demonized and demeaned, devalued and defaced, defiled and denounced. They are often the antagonist of our myths, tales, and fables. They are the antithesis of the masculine; sinful and volatile, opposed to the heroic and virtuous man. Centuries of art, literature, thought, and religious doctrine have painted women as temptresses and wicked witches. The female characters in Arthur Miller’s 1953 drama, The Crucible, reflect these ‘evil’ women of myth and legend. The patriarchal, austere society of the Puritan town of Salem during the witch trials demonstrates the societal effect of centuries of female vilification. Powerful women have historically been branded as witches or accused of evil deeds as a way to …show more content…
The temptress is a popular archetype in stories and legends, a temporary distraction for the hero, an obstacle to overcome and to conquer. They are evident in ancient myths and continue to entrap men in modern day film and literature. They are the portrayed as seductive and deceitful, using their feminine wiles in order to trick and manipulate the righteous man. The hero is never at fault for his lapse of judgement, his temporary fall from virtue. Instead, the blame is placed upon the woman, who uses her (often demonic) powers to ensnare and pervert the hero, who otherwise would never fall victim to his desires. Abigail Williams, a seventeen year old girl, embodies the temptress concept in Miller’s play. Her character starkly opposes Puritanical values, representing unrepressed desires in a society in which lust is considered sinful. Abigail …show more content…
Tituba, a slave from Barbados, was the first to be accused during the trials. Although she was not truly a witch, she was manipulated into admitting her guilt, claiming that “the devil came to [her] and bid [her] serve him” (“Tituba (SWP No. 125)”). While Tituba’s accusation was prompted due to her lowly status, other women were accused for economic reasons, and others were accused out of spite or because of adverse event that they had seemingly caused. Rebecca Nurse, “the very brick and mortar of the church,” is accused of “the marvelous and supernatural murder” of children she delivered as a midwife (Miller 71). Even Martha Corey, of whom “there [could not] be a woman closer yet to God” is accused because she was reading books (Miller 45). Goody Osburn is accused because she is “drunk and half-witted” while Goody Good is accused becaused she is poor and “sleeps in ditches” (Miller 61). The female characters accused of witchcraft suffered greatly due to harmful prejudice and