Elizabeth Proctor: Love Versus Honesty

Elizabeth Proctor was probably one of the characters faced with the most stress and problem throughout the duration of "The Crucible" After a long period of illness, she try to live life as normal, despite having found out her husband committed adultery and, later, that she has been accused of witchcraft. Although she proves brave and strong and endures the experience, when the most important decision in the fiasco comes, she makes a controversial choice.

Before the play takes place, Abigail Williams and John Proctor had an affair while Abigail was working as a servant in their home. Eventually, John confessed and apologized to Elizabeth, pledging his faithfulness to her. Nonetheless, at the time the play takes place, Elizabeth still hasn't fully forgiven him, and gives him a hard time about it. Abigail confessed the pretense of her accusations to him when they were alone, and now he has no way to prove that she's lying to the court. But because he was alone with her again, Elizabeth becomes angry with him. She still doubts her husband because she feels that if it were any other girl he had to go testify against, he would not hesitate. But, because it's Abigail, John feels he has to think harder on making a decision. He doesn't want his name spoiled by a counter-testimony. John feels he is now justified in becoming angry because for the seven months since his confession, he has done nothing but try to please his wife, and she still approaches him with suspicion and accusations. Proctor feels that she will "forget nothin' and forgive nothin'." Elizabeth argues back that he then shouldn't do anything to make her suspicious. This is a trial on their true love, and at that time, things aren't going well. It will take love, trust and forgiveness for the marriage to survive.

The major test for Elizabeth Proctor surfaces during when John appears in court to try to uncover Abigail's falseness. None of his tactics were working to convince the judges; they didn't believe him or Mary Warren, so he turns to his last resort. Proctor reveals his infidelity to everyone, and therefore, exposes Abigail as a harlot. This meant that if in fact Abigail is found to be guilty of this accusation, she will lose her validity as a true witness of witchcraft, and thus end the lies and revenge infecting Salem.

The court decides to question Elizabeth to confirm John allegations, at which John feels she will because she's an "honest woman" and never lies. If she testifies truthfully by admitting exactly what John has, then she will be saved from the witchery allegations against her. If she doesn't, and lies, she will be found guilty and hung like the others. She has always been virtuous and always wants to follow God and do what is right. However, she struggles, because if she confesses and declares her husband a lecher, then it will ruin his reputation as well as possibly cause greater problems. It is this conflict, love versus honesty, which will ultimately decide the fate of herself, her husband, and their friends who have been falsely accused.

In the end, Elizabeth chooses to try