salem witch trials essays

salem witch trials essays During the witch trial, of 1692, people of Salem, Massachusetts were not looking to cleanse the town of spirits or devils, but to clear the city of their enemies. People of this era were willing to do anything for what they wanted, even killing. The judge, Danforth, of the witch trials was an arrogant judge. He would believe any story that was brought to his attention., and even if he did not believe it, he would not take the time to tell anyone or to dissect the investigation and prove the defendant innocent. The worst of all the people of Salem Massachusetts was Abigail Williams who betrayed her friends time and time again to obtain the desire of her heart, John Procter. "You drank blood Abby! You didnt tell them that!"-Betty Parris, pg19. The story begins when Abigail Williams and her friends go out into the forest to make spells and wishes. They all made a wish to get the men which the desired for themselves. Abby made a spell by drinking chicken blood to make John Proctor lover her. The big problem with that though is John Proctor is already married to Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail Williams is in my opinion the entire reason the Salem witch trials had begun. Abby had once been the servant to John Proctor. However, Elizabeth thought John to not be holding loyal to her. During a long argument at home between Elizabeth and John over the subject of he not being truthful, Elizabeth says "Youll tear it free - when you come to know that I will be your only wife, or no wife at all! She has an arrow in you yet, John Proctor, and you know it well." Elizabeth has a conversation with John about how he still feels something passionate about Abigail Williams and if he does not stop thinking of Abby, Elizabeth will leave him. After the incident of Abigail being fired from her job, she always wanted to get back at the Proctor name. When she would see John in the church or ...