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  • Essay / Abigail Williams' Motivation in The Crucible

    In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the character Abigail Williams is driven by a complex set of motivations that ultimately lead to the tragic events in Salem. Through careful analysis of the text, it becomes clear that Abigail's primary motivation is her desire for power and control. This essay will explore Abigail's motivation in depth, examining how her actions and manipulation of others are driven by this central desire. By examining Abigail's motivations, we can better understand the themes of power and manipulation in The Crucible. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Body From the very first scene, Abigail's desire for power is evident. Questioned about the events in the forest, she quickly places the blame on Tituba, the slave. This not only draws attention away from herself, but also makes her a credible witness. As the play progresses, Abigail's manipulation of the court and other characters becomes more and more evident. She uses her position as the accuser to gain power over others, using fear and intimidation to maintain control. For example, she threatens the other girls with violence if they don't follow her lies. This demonstrates Abigail's motivation for power and control, as she is willing to manipulate and harm others to achieve her goals. In Act 1, Abigail declares, “I want to open up!” I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil, I saw him, I wrote in his book; I come back to Jesus; I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! the Devil!" (Miller 20). This quote highlights Abigail's willingness to accuse and blame others in order to secure her own position of power. Abigail's motivation for power is driven by her desire to escape her own troubled past As an orphan and servant, Abigail has little control over her own life. By accusing others and manipulating the court, she gains a sense of power and control that she lacks. otherwise This desire for power becomes more and more evident as the play unfolds, as Abigail's actions become more extreme and destructive Topic Sentence: Abigail's manipulation of others is motivated by her desire to. control Throughout the play, Abigail constantly manipulates other characters in order to maintain control of the situation. One of the most notable examples is her relationship with John Proctor by exploiting their previous affair. using it as a means to control him and ensure his loyalty to her. By threatening to reveal their affair, Abigail effectively manipulates John into complying with her demands. This manipulation is a clear manifestation of Abigail's motivation for control. In Act 1, Abigail says to John, "You have loved me, John Proctor, and whatever the sin, you still love me!" (Miller 24). This statement highlights Abigail's understanding of John's weakness and her ability to manipulate him using their past relationship. Abigail's manipulation of others is rooted in her desire for control. By controlling the narrative and manipulating those around her, Abigail is able to shape the events of Salem to her advantage. This desire for control is motivated by her fear of being powerless and her need to protect herself from the consequences of her actions. Conclusion In conclusion, Abigail Williams' motivation in The Crucible is primarily driven by her desire for power and control. From the beginning of the play, it is evident that Abigail will stop at nothing to achieve her, 2003.