Character Analysis of Abigail Williams in The Crucible

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Introductory

Abigail Williams is the central antagonist of Miller's play, The Crucible. She is a seventeen years old girl who is best known for her vengeful, selfish, manipulative and far-from-truth nature. Her nickname in the play is denoted as "Abby". She is the character who pretty much sets the witch-hunt in the town of Salem in motion. Why is Abigail so vengeful and against whom? Why is she rendered as an awful liar? Is the historical Abigail as wicked as the fictional character in the play? Let's crack it!

Character Sketch of Abigail in The Crucible

Abigail's Relationship

Abigail Williams is subjected to showcase a bunch of relations in the particular play. Her relationship with John Proctor serves as a point to blot the good name of John Proctor. It is said in the play that Abigail is having an illicit relationship with John Proctor when she was rendering her services as a maid-servant to Elizabeth Proctor when she was ill. Her second relationship is connected with Reverend Parris as Abigail is his niece. So, Abigail and Betty are cousins. Parris let her niece stay in his house because Abigail's parents have been killed by the local American Indians. Abigail has been living in her uncle's house since she was dismissed from Proctor's house. Abigail's third relationship is highlighted through her friends, Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren. Abigail's behaviour towards her friends is rather authoritative as backed up by the quote below,

ABIGAIL, starting for Mary: I say shut it, Mary Warren!

It is clear that Abigail finds pleasure in bullying her friends to make her plan work.

Abigail as a Willian

Abigail is the core antagonist of the play. Her villainy is projected and propelled through her lies. She is an "accomplished and convincing liar". Even the personalities as strong as Danforth cannot withstand against her deadly weapon filled with lies.

ABIGAIL: I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin' out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil's people—and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a—
DANFORTH, weakening: Child, I do not mistrust you—
ABIGAIL, in an open threat: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!

The character of Abigail is presented in such a way that we as readers cannot help but blame her of spreading the cult of Witch-hunt through her lies. Why? The wood-dancing event and Abigail's successful attempt to shift her blame to Tituba and her friends are clear evidence, showing the manipulative powers of her lies. Abigail, then, uses this power to settle her scores with Elizabeth Proctor. John alludes,

God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore's vengeance, and you must see it.

Abigail's villainy is not limited to her "enemies". Even her closest relatives are not safe from her curse. When she learns that the authority in Andover is strictly dealing with the ones who are accused of witchcraft, Abigail steals her uncle's money and leaves for Boston,

My daughter tells me how she heard [Abigail and Mercy Lewis] speaking of ships last week, and tonight I discover my—my strongbox is broke into. (Parris)

Motivations behind Abigail's Villainy

Abigail has been illustrated as an antagonist from top to bottom throughout the play. The motivations behind Abigail's villainy make her a complex character to deal with. Abigail takes liberties with John without taking care of his married life to satisfy her teenage lust. When Abigail is dismissed from Proctors' house, she is not upset about the loss of her love but the loss of her reputation in the town.

It is important to quote that Abigail's parents had been killed by local American Indians,

I saw Indians smash my dear parents' head on the pillow next to mine. (Abigail)

Her initial misery must have left a strong influence on her to nurture vengeance against the ones whom she deems her enemies.

Abigail is treated like a girl of the lower class, just above the black Tituba. Her revengeful attitude against Elizabeth can be stirred by the social discrimination found within the Town of Salem. Abigail wants to get rid of Goody Proctor to join hands with John not because Abigail loves him, but to boost up her reputation.

Abigail's manipulation of Betty's illness; shifting her blame-game to her friends and Tituba; concealing about the person who "conjured" in the woods clearly shows her love for power. Abigail's artificial fit to discredit Mery is also her successful attempt to retain her power as a "Ghost Witch".

Manifestly, Abigail is forced by her early misery to adopt a dangerous path as a villain. She lives for no one but herself.

The Historical Abigail

The Abigail in history did lead the group of girls who saw spirits and pinpointed witches during Salem witch trials. But no evidence against the love affair between John and Abigail has been detected because the historical John Proctor was sixty and Abigail was only eleven years old. Miller states that the historical Abigail worked in Proctors' house and accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. But she did not include John in her accusations despite the "urgings of the prosecutors". So, it is clear that the Abigail in history-books was different than the fictional Abigail.

Conclusion

Abigail is a round character. She properly develops herself from a maid-girl to an extremely powerful lady to shake Danforth. Abigail's villainy is centred around securing her name and to enjoy power,

My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled!