What does it mean when Hale says Let the marshal bring irons

Q: What does Hale say when he quits the court?

I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court. Thus, at the end of Act Three, the Reverend John Hale punctuates the painful climax of The Crucible, Arthur Millers memorable play about the Salem witch trials.

Q: Who did Reverend Hale accuse?

Hales first actions in Salem do belie the taint of pride. When Abigail accuses Tituba (Reverend Parriss servant) of witchcraft, Mr. Hail at once regards the accusation as truth.

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What does Hale carry with him when he arrives?
What does Hale beg the prisoners to do in the final?
What does Hale say when he quits the court?
Who did Reverend Hale accuse?

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aback
by surprise
abide by
act in accordance with rules, commands, or wishes
PARRIS: It is agreed, sir—it is agreed—we will abide by your judgment.
abomination
hate coupled with disgust
Abominations are done in the forest…
ABIGAIL: It were only sport, Uncle!
above
in or to a place that is higher
(Putnam crosses L. to above table, gets hat, crosses and exits.)
absorbing
capable of arousing and holding the attention
Since Proctor’s entrance, Abigail has stood absorbing his presence, wide-eyed.)
accuse
blame for; make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
accused
a defendant in a criminal proceeding
accuser
someone who imputes guilt or blame
Is the accuser always holy now?
acreage
an area of ground used for some particular purpose
We vote by name in this society, not by acreage.
adultery
extramarital sexual relations
affidavit
written declaration made under oath
I think that in all justice you must …
DANFORTH: Then let him submit his evidence in proper affidavit.
afflict
cause physical pain or suffering in
Do you men also have afflicted children?
afflicted
mentally or physically unfit
Do you men also have afflicted children?
afloat
borne on the water; floating
PUTNAM: She cannot bear to hear the lord’s name, mister Hale; that’s a sure sign of witchcraft afloat.
afoot
on foot; walking
PUTNAM: That is a notorious sign of witchcraft afoot, a prodigious sign.
agape
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
(She is transfixed—with all the girls, in complete silence, she is open-mouthed, agape at ceiling, and in great fear.)
agree
consent or assent to a condition
PARRIS: It is agreed, sir—it is agreed—we will abide by your judgment.
ail
be unwell
Why, how does your child ail?
alarm
a device signaling the occurrence of some undesirable event
(Slight pause as Proctor watches Elizabeth pass him, then speaks, being aware of Elizabeth’s alarm.)
alarmed
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
all
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
alone
isolated from others
PARRIS: Will you leave me now Thomas, I would pray a while alone…
ABIGAIL: Uncle, you’ve prayed since midnight.
always
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
amaze
affect with wonder
ELIZABETH: ( Amazed at her strangeness.)
amazed
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise

ELIZABETH: ( Amazed at her strangeness.)
and so
subsequently or soon afterward
And so I thought to send her to your Tituba-
PARRIS: To Tituba!
angel
spiritual being attendant upon God
Now remember what the angel Raphael said to the boy Tobias.
anger
the state of being very annoyed
Child…
ABIGAIL: (With a flash of anger.
angered
marked by extreme anger
DANFORTH: (He is angered now.)
anonymity
the state of being unknown
But if he hides in anonymity I must know why.
another
any of various alternatives; some other
HALE: When the devil comes to you does he ever come with another person?
answer
a statement made to reply to a question or criticism
COREY: I’m not sayin’ she’s touched the Devil, now, but I’d admire to know what books she reads and why she hides them—she’ll not answer me, y’see.
any
one or some or every or all without specification
PARRIS: Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for Goody Proctor dischargin’ you?
anymore
at the present or from now on; usually used with a negative
I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem anymore—since the news of Andover has broken here.
apparition
a ghostly appearing figure
In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, nor any manifest of the Devil.
apprehensively
with anxiety or apprehension
(She shivers and looks at Mary, then folds her arms around her.)—there is…
DANFORTH: ( Apprehensively.)
arm
a human limb
PARRIS: I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you; why were she doing that?
arms
weapons considered collectively
PARRIS: I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you; why were she doing that?
arrest
take into custody
Is it true there be fourteen women arrested?
arrive
reach a destination
I’ll wait till Mister Hale arrives.
Arthur Miller
United States playwright (1915-2005)
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
astonish
affect with wonder
astonished
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
at stake
to be won or lost; at risk
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
attack
an offensive against an enemy
No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village.
attacking
disposed to attack
Now there are no spirits attacking you, for none in this room is accused of witchcraft.
audible
heard or perceptible by the ear
auger
a hand tool used to bore holes
DANFORTH: Children, a very auger bit will now be turned into your souls until your honesty is proved.
authority
the power or right to give orders or make decisions

PUTNAM: Against him and all authority.
aware
having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
Being aware of their relationship.)
away
at a distance in space or time
There are many others who stay away from church these days because he hardly ever mentions God any more.
baby
a very young mammal

ANN: Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth.
back
the posterior part of a human (or animal) body
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
back away
make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
ABIGAIL: ( Backing away to bench and sits.
backing
the act of providing approval and support
ABIGAIL: ( Backing away to bench and sits.
baffle
be a mystery or bewildering to

I think we ought rely on Doctor Griggs now, and good prayer…
ANN: Rebecca, the docter’s baffled.
baptize
administer a sacrament signifying spiritual rebirth
HALE: How come it that only two are baptized?
baptized
having undergone the Christian ritual of baptism
HALE: How come it that only two are baptized?
Barbados
easternmost of the West Indies about 300 miles to the north of Venezuela
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
barring
the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto
ABIGAIL: ( Barring his way at door.)
be sick
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
My wife were sick this winter.
bear
be pregnant with
Believe me, Sir, you never saw more hearty babies born.
beast
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
Perhaps some bird, invisible to others, comes to you, perhaps a pig, or any beast at all.
bed
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
As the curtain rises we see Parris on his knees, beside a bed.
bedded
having a bed or beds as specified
In the proper place—where my beasts are bedded.
before
at or in the front
PARRIS: Abigail, I cannot go before the congregation when I know you have not been open with me.
befoul
spot, stain, or pollute
Will you confess yourself befouled with hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet?
befouled
made dirty or foul
Will you confess yourself befouled with hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet?
befuddle
be confusing or perplexing to
befuddled
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
beg
make a solicitation or entreaty for something
Mister Parris, I beg your pardon.
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
DANFORTH: Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more.
belie
be in contradiction with
I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves.
believe
accept as true; take to be true
Believe me, Sir, you never saw more hearty babies born.
bellows
a mechanical device that blows a strong current of air
I saw Martha Bellows with the Devil!
belly
the region of the body between the thorax and the pelvis
And he goes to save her, and stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly he draw a needle out.
bench
a long seat for more than one person
John Proctor enters D.R., carrying his gun, and leans it against a bench.
beware
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
PARRIS: Beware this man, Your Excellency, this man is mischief.
bewilder
cause to be confused emotionally
My Ruth is bewildered, Rebecca, she cannot eat.
bewildered
extremely confused and uncertain what to do
My Ruth is bewildered, Rebecca, she cannot eat.
bewitch
cast a spell over someone or something
Now she goes to court and claims that from that day to this he cannot keep a pig alive for more than four weeks because my Martha bewitch them with her books!
Bible
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
PROCTOR: I have no knowledge of it; the Bible speaks of witches, and I will not deny them.
bid
propose a payment
SUSANNA: Dr. Griggs he bid me come and tell you, Reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books.
bind
secure with or as if with ropes
There is a murdering witch among us bound to keep herself in the dark.
bird
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate with feathers and wings
PARRIS: No—no, she never flew…
ANN: Why, it’s sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird, he says!
bitch
female of any member of the dog family
But it’s hard to think so pious a woman be secretly a Devil’s bitch after seventy year of such good prayer.
bitterly
extremely and sharply
PROCTOR: ( Bitterly smiling.)
black
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness
ABIGAIL: They want slaves, not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for that, I will not black my face for any of them!
black art
the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world
Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape.
black book
a list of people who are out of favor
MARY: That she sometimes made a compact with Lucifer, and wrote her name in his black book—with her blood—and bound herself to torment Christians till God’s thrown down… and we all must worship Hell forevermore.
blacken
make or become black
ABIGAIL: She is blackening my name in the village!
blackening
changing to a darker color
ABIGAIL: She is blackening my name in the village!
blame
an accusation that one is responsible for some misdeed
Let us rather blame ourselves and…
PUTNAM: How may we blame ourselves?
bleed
lose blood from one's body
Be his helper! –what profit him to bleed?
bless
make the sign of the cross to call on God for protection
PUTNAM: Now look you, sir-let you strike out against the Devil and the village will bless you for it!
blind
unable to see
PARRIS: There is a party in this church; I am not blind; there is a faction and a party.
blink
a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
PARRIS: I cannot blink what I saw, Abigail-for my enemies will not blink it.
blood
the fluid that is pumped through the body by the heart
You drank blood, Abby, you drank blood!
bloody
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
PROCTOR: I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation.
blush
become rosy or reddish
She cannot pass you in the church but you will blush…
PROCTOR: I may blush for my sin.
book
an object consisting of a number of pages bound together
SUSANNA: Dr. Griggs he bid me come and tell you, Reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books.
Boston
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts
Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two years ago!
bound
confined by bonds
There is a murdering witch among us bound to keep herself in the dark.
bowlegged
have legs that curve outward at the knees
I have eleven children and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief.
brainless
not using intelligence
Mister Parris, you are a brainless man!
break
destroy the integrity of
Now, Tituba, I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell it is very hard to break with it entirely.
break into
express or utter spontaneously
(But she breaks into sobs at the thought of it.
break off
interrupt before its natural or planned end
(She suddenly breaks off and sobs.)
break with
end a relationship
Now, Tituba, I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell it is very hard to break with it entirely.
breakable
capable of being broken or damaged
Mary is keeping her eyes to the ground, Proctor has her elbow as though she were breakable.)
breathe
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.
brew
sit or let sit in boiling water so as to extract the flavor
HALE: You cannot evade me, Abigail.—Did your cousin drink any of the brew in that kettle?
Bridget
Irish abbess; a patron saint of Ireland (453-523)
I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!
bring
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.
broken
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
HALE: Glory to God!—it is broken, they are free!
budge
move very slightly
burn
destroy by fire
You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord’s man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted…
PUTNAM: Aye!
PARRIS: There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!
burning
a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord’s man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted…
PUTNAM: Aye!
PARRIS: There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!
but
and nothing more
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
but then
(contrastive) from another point of view
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
call
utter a sudden loud cry
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
call off
postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
calling
the particular occupation for which you are trained
BETTY: ( Calling it out hysterically and with great relief.)
callously
in a callous way
DANFORTH: Then you tell me that you sat in my court, callously lying when you knew that people would hang by your evidence?
calm
not agitated; without losing self-possession
REBECCA: Pray, calm yourselves.
can
airtight sealed metal container for food or drink, etc.
And you know I can do it.
cast away
throw or cast away
She will deny it, but you will believe me, sir; a man… a man will not cast away his good name, sir, you surely know that—
DANFORTH: In what time…?
cause
events that provide the generative force of something
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
ceiling
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
She… (Abigail with a weird cry screams up to ceiling.)
chained
bound with chains
chant
a repetitive song in which syllables are assigned to a tone
PROCTOR: (As 3 or 4 persons off-stage begin a quiet chant—a psalm or hymn.)
charge
assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to
I know that you, you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.
charged
of a particle or body or system
charity
an institution set up to provide help to the needy
We have all heard of your great charities in Beverly.
Cheever
United States writer of novels and short stories (1912-1982)
ELIZABETH: Let you go to Ezekiel Cheever—he knows you well.
chicken
a domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs
TITUBA: No—no, chicken blood, I give she chicken blood!
child
a human offspring (son or daughter) of any age
PARRIS: What does the doctor say, child?
childbirth
the parturition process in human beings
Seven dead in childbirth?
childishly
in a childlike manner
chin
the protruding part of the lower jaw
ELIZABETH: I forbid her go, and she raises up her chin like the daughter of a prince, and says to me, “I must go to Salem, Goody Proctor, I am an official of the court!”
chin up
raise oneself while hanging from one's hands until one's chin is level with the support bar
choke
struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
MARY: Mister Proctor, in open court she near choked us all to death.
choke up
obstruct
Excellency… a dagger… (He chokes up.)
choked
stopped up; clogged up
MARY: Mister Proctor, in open court she near choked us all to death.
Christian
a religious person who believes Jesus is the savior
Now, we are going to help you tear yourself free.—You would be a good Christian woman, would you not, Tituba?
church
a place for public (especially Christian) worship
Did you consult the wardens of the church before you called the minister to look for devils?
cider
a beverage made from juice pressed from apples
claim
assert or affirm strongly
Now she goes to court and claims that from that day to this he cannot keep a pig alive for more than four weeks because my Martha bewitch them with her books!
clamp
a device that holds things firmly together
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
clap
strike one's hands together
You’ll be clapped in the stocks before you’re twenty.
clasp
hold firmly and tightly
Look at them, Tituba-look at their God-given innocence; their souls are so tender; we must protect them, Tituba; the devil is out and preying on them like a beast upon the flesh of the pure lamb…God will bless you for your help…
ABIGAIL: (Hands clasped, eyes closed.)
claw
sharp curved horny process on the toe of some animals
ANN: Her claws, she’s stretching her claws!
clear
readily apparent to the mind
And in my ignorance, I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court.
closer
(comparative of `near' or `close') within a shorter distance
NURSE: My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mister Hale—and Martha Corey, there cannot be a woman closer yet to God then Martha.
cold
having a low or inadequate temperature
She is a cold sniveling woman and you bend to her!
coldly
in a cold unemotional manner
Oh, I marvel how such a (Beating her fists against his chest.) strong man may let such a sickly wife be…
PROCTOR: ( Coldly.
coldness
the absence of heat
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
collapse
break down, literally or metaphorically
(Betty collapses in her hands.)
come
move toward, travel toward
Let her come, let her come.
come down
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
PARRIS: No—no, she never flew…
ANN: Why, it’s sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird, he says!
come in
to come or go into
ABIGAIL: Come in Susanna.
come into
obtain, especially accidentally
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
come to
cause to experience suddenly
And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.
come with
be present or associated with an event or entity
HALE: When the devil comes to you does he ever come with another person?
commandment
an order or strict rule imposed by an authority
And then she replies: (Mimicking an old crone.)—“Why, your excellence, no curse at all; I only say my commandments; I hope I may say my commandments,” says she!
compact
closely and firmly united or packed together
I hear her singing her Barbados songs and tempting me with-
TITUBA: Mister Reverend, I never-
HALE: When did you compact with the Devil?
concealing
covering or hiding
HALE: Why are you concealing?
concealment
the condition of being hidden
We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.
condemn
express strong disapproval of
PROCTOR: And so condemned her?
condemning
containing or imposing condemnation or censure
It is my wife you be condemning now.
confess
admit to a wrongdoing
ABIGAIL: Uncle, we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it.
confession
an admission of misdeeds or faults
But if she speaks true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier with you.
congratulations
an expression of approval and commendation
DANFORTH: Accept my congratulations, Reverend Hale; we are gladdened to see you returned to your good work.
congregation
the act of assembling
PARRIS: Abigail, I cannot go before the congregation when I know you have not been open with me.
conjure
summon into action or bring into existence
PARRIS: Goody Ann, it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead!
conjure up
summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
PARRIS: Goody Ann, it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead!
conjuring
calling up a spirit or devil
PARRIS: Then you were conjuring spirits last night.
conspiracy
a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
Without confidences there could be no conspiracy, Your Honor!
contempt
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
ELIZABETH: John, have you ever shown her somewhat of contempt?
contemptuous
expressing extreme scorn
DANFORTH: And how do you imagine to help her cause with such contemptuous riot?
contention
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
contentious
showing an inclination to disagree
PARRIS: Giles Corey, sir, and a more contentious…
COREY: I am asked the question and I am old enough to answer it!
continue
keep or maintain in unaltered condition
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
controlling
able to control or determine policy
I think you…
PROCTOR: ( Controlling himself.)
converge
be adjacent or come together

Abigail dashes across the stage as though pursued, the other girls streak hysterically in and out between the men, all converging.—and as their screaming subsides only Mary Warren’s is left.
converging
the act of converging (coming closer)
Abigail dashes across the stage as though pursued, the other girls streak hysterically in and out between the men, all converging.—and as their screaming subsides only Mary Warren’s is left.
corruption
use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
They will howl me out of Salem for such a corruption in my house.
counsel
something that provides direction or advice
Now sit you down and take counsel with yourself, or you will be set in the jail until you decide to answer all questions.
courage
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain
I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her, my babies always shriveled in her hands…
HALE: Take courage, you must give us all their names.
court
an assembly to conduct judicial business
I have been in court six times this year.
court of law
a tribunal that is presided over by a magistrate or by one or more judges who administer justice according to the laws
DANFORTH: This is a court of law, Mister.
cousin
the child of your aunt or uncle
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
coward
a person who shows fear or timidity
PROCTOR: You are a coward!
credited
(usually followed by `to') given credit for

…I falter nothing, but I… I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court.
crone
an ugly, evil-looking old woman
And then she replies: (Mimicking an old crone.)—“Why, your excellence, no curse at all; I only say my commandments; I hope I may say my commandments,” says she!
cross
a marking that consists of lines that intersect each other
(Putnam crosses L. to above table, gets hat, crosses and exits.)
crosse
a long racket with a triangular frame
(Putnam crosses L. to above table, gets hat, crosses and exits.)
crossing
a point where two lines (paths or arcs etc.) intersect
crucible
a vessel used for high temperature chemical reactions
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
cry
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
PARRIS: If she starts for the window, cry for me at once.
cry for
need badly or desperately
PARRIS: If she starts for the window, cry for me at once.
cry out
utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
DANFORTH: And you, Mary Warren… how came you to cry out people for sending their spirits against you?
cue
a reminder for some action or speech
ELIZABETH: She were… (She glances at Proctor for a cue.)
curse
an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil
ELIZABETH: Why… I do, think, but…
MARY: And so I told that to Judge Hathorne, and he asks her so—“Goody Good,” says he, “what curse do you mumble that this girl must fall sick after turning you away?”
curtain
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
As the curtain rises we see Parris on his knees, beside a bed.
daft
foolish or mentally irregular
PROCTOR: I never knew until tonight that the world is gone daft with this nonsense.
dagger
a short knife with a pointed blade
I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits, I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers.
damages
a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
COREY: John Proctor, I have only last month collected four pound damages for you publicly saying I burned the roof off your house, and I-
PROCTOR: I never said no such thing, but I paid you for it, so I hope I can call you deaf without charge.
damn
something of little value
COREY: I’ll be damned first!
damnation
the state of being condemned to eternal punishment in Hell
PROCTOR: I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation.
dance
taking a series of rhythmical steps in time to music
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
dancing
taking a series of rhythmical steps in time to music
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
dare
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
daughter
a female human offspring
His daughter Betty, aged 10, is asleep in it.
Day
United States writer best known for his autobiographical works (1874-1935)
In the book of record that Mister Parris keeps, I note that you are rarely in the church on Sabbath Day….
day
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
There are many others who stay away from church these days because he hardly ever mentions God any more.
dead
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
ANN: Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, Mister Parris.
deadly sin
an unpardonable sin entailing a total loss of grace
Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.
deaf
people who have hearing impairments
dealings
social or verbal interchange (usually followed by `with')
If you’ll notice, sir—they’ve known the women many years and never saw no signs they had dealings with the Devil.
decayed
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
MARY: (Fervently, with a trembling, decayed voice.)
deceive
cause someone to believe an untruth
They are all deceiving you.
decide
reach, make, or come to a conclusion about something
Mr. Paris, I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose sprits.
declare
state emphatically and authoritatively
Wait for no one to charge you- declare it yourself.
defamation
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
PROCTOR: Is it the devil’s fault that a man cannot say you “Good Morning” without you clap him for defamation?
defensively
in an apologetic and defensive manner
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
NURSE: (With deference but emphasis.)
defiantly
in a rebellious manner
delicately
in a delicate manner
PROCTOR: Aye.
ELIZABETH: ( Delicately.)
demonic
extremely evil or cruel
He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I …
ANN: He has indeed, and found by a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
denounce
speak out against
HALE: (Crossing D.L.) I denounce these proceedings!
deny
declare untrue; contradict
ABIGAIL: Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself.
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
She has signed a deposition, sir….
deputy
a person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
They’ve sent four judges out of Boston, she says, weighty magistrates of the General Court, and at the head sits the Deputy Governor of the Province.
desperation
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
(Starts out R.)
ELIZABETH: (With a note of desperation.)
Devil
chief spirit of evil and adversary of God
ANN: I’d not call it sick, the Devil’s touch is heavier than sick, it’s death, y’know, it’s death drivin’ into them forked and hoofed.
devil
an evil supernatural being
Did you consult the wardens of the church before you called the minister to look for devils?
devise
arrange by systematic planning and united effort
Now then… it does not escape me that this deposition may be devised to blind us; (To Hathorne.) it may well be that Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan who sends her here to distract our sacred purpose.
die
lose all bodily functions necessary to sustain life
HALE: Abigail, it may be your cousin is dying—Did you call the Devil last night?
directly
without turning aside from your course
PARRIS: Go directly home and speak nothin’ of unnatural causes.
discover
determine the existence, presence, or fact of
SUSANNA: Dr. Griggs he bid me come and tell you, Reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books.
discovered
discovered or determined by scientific observation
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
dish
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
ELIZABETH: (Removes water and towel, goes out L., and returns with dish of stew.)
dismiss
stop associating with
But I said I never see no sign you ever sent your spirit out to hurt no one, and seeing I do live so closely with you, they dismissed it.
dismissed
having lost your job
But I said I never see no sign you ever sent your spirit out to hurt no one, and seeing I do live so closely with you, they dismissed it.
dispatch
the act of sending off something
They are followed in by Cheever, who carries a dispatch case and a flat wooden box containing his writing materials.
dispatch case
case consisting of an oblong container (usually having a lock) for carrying dispatches or other valuables
They are followed in by Cheever, who carries a dispatch case and a flat wooden box containing his writing materials.
disputation
a formal debate
PARRIS: I have no stomach for disputation this morning.
disrespect
an expression of lack of regard
COREY: Your Excellency, we mean no disrespect for…
DANFORTH: Disrespect, indeed!-It
disruption
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
PARRIS: Now then-in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice.
dissatisfied
in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
She… dissatisfied me… (Adding.) and my husband.
dissatisfy
fail to please or meet expectations
She… dissatisfied me… (Adding.) and my husband.
dissolve
pass into a solution
(Betty dissolves into sobs.)
ditch
a long narrow excavation in the earth
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
do it
have sexual intercourse with
And you know I can do it.
Doctor
(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the orthodoxy of their theological teaching
doll
a small replica of a person; used as a toy
MARY: (Crossing to Elizabeth, taking a small rag doll from pocket in her undershirt.)
done
having finished or arrived at completion
Abominations are done in the forest…
ABIGAIL: It were only sport, Uncle!
door
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
doorway
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
And she may dote on it now-I am sure she does-and thinks to kill me, then to take my place.
doubt
the state of being unsure of something
down
spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level
ABIGAIL: Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself.
drag
pull, as against a resistance
ABIGAIL: ( Dragging Betty back to bed and forcing her into it.)
dragging
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
ABIGAIL: ( Dragging Betty back to bed and forcing her into it.)
draw
cause to move by pulling
And in my ignorance, I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court.
drink
take in liquids
You drank blood, Abby, you drank blood!
drum
a musical percussion instrument
drum roll
the sound of a drum beaten rapidly and continuously
drunkenly
showing effects of much strong drink
dumbly
in an inarticulate manner
PROCTOR: ( Dumbly, looking at paper.)
dungeon
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle
ecstatic
feeling great rapture or delight
(On the girls’ ecstatic cries, CURTAIN FALLS.)
effrontery
audacious behavior that you have no right to
I’ll have no effrontery here.
Eight
a group of United States painters founded in 1907 and noted for their realistic depictions of sordid aspects of city life
Eight months now, sir, it is eight months.
either
used as an intensive after a negative meaning "likewise"
And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.
emphatically
in a forceful manner; with emphasis
empower
give or delegate authority to
DANFORTH: Mister Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.
empowered
invested with legal or official authority
DANFORTH: Mister Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.
enough
sufficient for the purpose
I have had enough contention since I came, I want no more.
enter
to come or go into
Abigail Williams, 17, ENTERS.
entirely
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent
Now, Tituba, I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell it is very hard to break with it entirely.
entrance
something that provides access to get in
MERCY: (Rising, crossing to entrance.
entranced
filled with wonder and delight
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… ( Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
evade
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
HALE: You cannot evade me, Abigail.—Did your cousin drink any of the brew in that kettle?
evasively
with evasion; in an evasive manner
MARY: (Looks at it, and evasively says.)
ever
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
I know that you, you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.
every
(used of count nouns) each and all of the members of a group considered singly and without exception
ABIGAIL: John—I am waitin’ for you every night.
every night
at the end of each day
ABIGAIL: John—I am waitin’ for you every night.
evidence
knowledge on which to base belief
There is too much evidence now to deny it.
exactness
the quality of being exact
Mr. Cheever, report this testimony in all exactness.
examine
observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect
They had Doctor Griggs examine her and she’s full to the brim.
Excellency
a title used to address dignitaries
HATHORNE: Arrest him, Excellency!
except
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
For how else is she stuck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth!
excommunication
cutting a person off from a religious society
PARRIS: It cannot be forgot, sir, (Danforth rises, gets list from Cheever, takes spectacles out and reads by light of lamp.) that when I summoned the congregation for John Proctor’s excommunication, there were hardly thirty people come to hear it.
exit
move out of or depart from
(Putnam crosses L. to above table, gets hat, crosses and exits.)
eye
the organ of sight
eyes
opinion or judgment
face
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin
ABIGAIL: They want slaves, not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for that, I will not black my face for any of them!
faction
a dissenting clique
PARRIS: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit.
factually
as a fact or based on fact
ELIZABETH: (Quietly, factually.)
faint
lacking clarity, brightness, or loudness
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
faintly
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
fall
descend freely under the influence of gravity
falls
a steep descent of the water of a river
false
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
false witness
a person who deliberately gives false testimony
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
ELIZABETH: John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now?
faltering
the act of pausing uncertainly
HALE: Excellency, if you postpone a week, and publish to the town that you are striving for their confessions, that speak mercy on your part, not faltering.
familiar
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
And demandin’ of her how she come to be so stabbed, she… (To Proctor.) testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in.
familiar spirit
a spirit that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard
And demandin’ of her how she come to be so stabbed, she… (To Proctor.) testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in.
farmer
a person who works growing crops or raising animals
PARRIS: No, no, these are farmers.
faulty
having a defect
You have a faulty understanding of young girls.
fear
an emotion in anticipation of some specific pain or danger
There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits, I fear it, I fear it.
fearsome
causing fear or dread or terror
ELIZABETH: Ay. It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey.
feed on
be sustained by
There be a faction here feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here.
fervently
with strong emotion or zeal
MARY: ( Fervently, with a trembling, decayed voice.)
fetch
go or come after and bring or take back
filthy
disgustingly dirty
I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face.
find
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I …
ANN: He has indeed, and found by a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
fist
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm
Oh, I marvel how such a (Beating her fists against his chest.) strong man may let such a sickly wife be…
PROCTOR: (Coldly.
flies
the space over the stage used to store scenery
PROCTOR: So she flies, eh?
flounder
move clumsily or struggle to move, as in mud or water
Postponement, now, speaks a… a floundering (Willard ENTERS.) on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now.—Have you spoken with them all, Mister Hale?
fly
travel through the air; be airborne
It is surely a stroke of hell upon you…
PARRIS: No, Goody Putnam, it is…
ANN: How high did she fly, how high?
followers
a group of followers or enthusiasts
And you may tell that to your followers!
forbid
command against
I forbid you leave the house, did I not?
forest
a large, densely wooded area filled with trees and plants
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
forevermore
at any future time; in the future
MARY: That she sometimes made a compact with Lucifer, and wrote her name in his black book—with her blood—and bound herself to torment Christians till God’s thrown down… and we all must worship Hell forevermore.
forgive
stop blaming
PROCTOR: Forgive him, sir, for his old age.
forked
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches

ANN: I’d not call it sick, the Devil’s touch is heavier than sick, it’s death, y’know, it’s death drivin’ into them forked and hoofed.
fortress
a fortified defensive structure
Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small.
forty-five
being five more than forty
She is a twisted soul of forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams.)
four
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
COREY: John Proctor, I have only last month collected four pound damages for you publicly saying I burned the roof off your house, and I-
PROCTOR: I never said no such thing, but I paid you for it, so I hope I can call you deaf without charge.
fourteen
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
There be fourteen people in the jail now, she says.
frantically
in an uncontrolled manner
fraud
intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
You must tell them it is a fraud.
free
able to act at will
freeze
change from a liquid to a solid when cold
PROCTOR: Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer. (enter Mary) How dare you go to Salem when I forbid it!
frighten
cause fear in
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
frog
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
A mouse, perhaps, a spider, a frog---?
from time to time
now and then or here and there
Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time.
gaunt
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
He is gaunt, frightened and sweating.)
gibberish
unintelligible talking
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
gibbet
an instrument of public execution
Let Rebecca stand upon the gibbet and send up some righteous prayer, and I feel she’ll wake a vengeance on you.
girl
a young woman
She is seventeen, a subservient, naïve girl.)
give
transfer possession of something concrete or abstract
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
give out
give to several people
Tell me, Mister Proctor, have you given out this story in the village?
given
acknowledged as a supposition
Look at them, Tituba-look at their God- given innocence; their souls are so tender; we must protect them, Tituba; the devil is out and preying on them like a beast upon the flesh of the pure lamb…God will bless you for your help…
ABIGAIL: (Hands clasped, eyes closed.)
gladden
make happy
DANFORTH: Accept my congratulations, Reverend Hale; we are gladdened to see you returned to your good work.
gladdened
made joyful
DANFORTH: Accept my congratulations, Reverend Hale; we are gladdened to see you returned to your good work.
glance
take a brief look at
DANFORTH: ( Glancing at long list.)
glasses
optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
Danforth sits, puts on glasses.)
glee
great merriment
ABIGAIL: (It is rising to a great glee.)
go down
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
ABIGAIL: Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself.
go into
to come or go into
PROCTOR: I…. had not reckoned with going into court….
go out
move out of or depart from
go to
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
She goes to Betty, sits L. side of bed D.S. of Mercy, and roughly sits her up.)
go to bed
prepare for sleep
God
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
PARRIS: No, God forbid…
ANN: Mark it for a sign, mark it…!
godly
showing great reverence for god
My duty is to add what I may to the Godly wisdom of the court.
gone
no longer retained
ABIGAIL: She’s only gone silly, somehow.
good
having desirable or positive qualities
Oh, good morning, Mister Putnam…
PUTNAM: It is a providence the thing is out now!
good and
completely or thoroughly
Mister, I have myself examined Tituba, Sarah Good and numerous others that have confessed to dealing with the Devil.
good example
a person or thing to be imitated; ideal model
DANFORTH: Courage, man, courage—let her witness your good example that she may come to God herself.
good for you
promoting health; healthful
PARRIS: It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear!
good health
the state of being vigorous and free from bodily or mental disease
I pray you both good health and good fortune.
good morning
a conventional expression of greeting or farewell
Oh, good morning, Mister Putnam…
PUTNAM: It is a providence the thing is out now!
good night
a conventional expression of farewell
good will
a disposition to kindness and compassion
Sarah Good will only sit in jail some time… and here’s a wonder for you, think on this.
goodly
large in size, amount, or degree
Mister Parris no goodly man, Mister Parris mean man and no gentle man, and he bid me rise out of my bed and cut your throat!
goodness
moral excellence or admirableness
I will bring your guts into your mouth, but that goodness will not die for me.
goody
something considered choice to eat
PARRIS: Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for Goody Proctor dischargin’ you?
Gospel
the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
HALE: You surely do not fly against the Gospel, the Gospel…
PROCTOR: She do not mean to doubt the Gospel, sir, you cannot think it.
governor
the head of a state authority
They’ve sent four judges out of Boston, she says, weighty magistrates of the General Court, and at the head sits the Deputy Governor of the Province.
grab
take or seize suddenly
grandma
the mother of your father or mother
graven
cut into a desired shape
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods, nor make unto thee any graven image.
graven image
a material effigy that is worshipped
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods, nor make unto thee any graven image.
greatcoat
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
They are in greatcoats and wear hats.
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
gull
aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
PROCTOR: They’re gulling you, Mister!
gut
the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
You must remember, Goody Proctor—last month—a Monday, I think—she walked away and I thought my guts would burst for two days after.
guts
fortitude and determination
You must remember, Goody Proctor—last month—a Monday, I think—she walked away and I thought my guts would burst for two days after.
hale
exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
HALE: Pray you, someone take these!
half-witted
retarded in intellectual development
There be a certain danger in calling such a name-I am no Goody Good that sleeps in ditches, nor Osburn drink and half-witted.
hand
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard- handed landowner near fifty.)
hands
guardianship over
There are hurtful, vengeful spirits layin’ hands on these children.
hang
cause to be hanging or suspended
PUTNAM: This woman must be hanged!
hard
resisting weight or pressure
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
harlot
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
HALE: Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle below on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hang everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life—and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke?
harm
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
MARY: Why, I meant no harm by it, sir….
have the best
overcome, usually through no fault or weakness of the person that is overcome
COREY: I have the best, sir—I am thirty-three time in court in my life.
headboard
a vertical board or panel forming the head of a bedstead
I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand—I saw Sarah Good (Betty’s hands appear above headboard raised toward the heaven.) with the Devil!
hear
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
heard
detected or perceived via the auditory sense
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
hearing
the ability to hear; the auditory faculty
You’re old, Giles, and you’re not hearing as well as you did.
hearty
showing warm and sincere friendliness
Believe me, Sir, you never saw more hearty babies born.
Heaven
the abode of God and the angels
HALE: Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven.
Hell
the abode of Satan and the forces of evil
Now, Tituba, I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell it is very hard to break with it entirely.
hell
any place of pain and turmoil
It is surely a stroke of hell upon you…
PARRIS: No, Goody Putnam, it is…
ANN: How high did she fly, how high?
hellfire
a place of eternal fire envisaged as punishment for the damned

PROCTOR: I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation.
help
give assistance; be of service
Come along, Giles, and help me drag my lumber home.
helper
a person who helps people or institutions
Be his helper! –what profit him to bleed?
here
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
Susanna Wallcott’s here from Dr. Griggs.
hesitantly
with hesitation; in a hesitant manner
hide
prevent from being seen or discovered
COREY: I cannot tell; she hides them.
high court
the highest court in most states of the United States
This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?
highroad
a highway
She has tried to leap out the window; we discovered her this morning on the highroad, waving her arm as though she’d fly.
hold
have in one's hands or grip
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
hold back
refrain from doing
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
holy
belonging to or associated with a divine power
HALE: Now in God’s holy name…
TITUBA: Bless Him…bless Him…
HALE: And to His Glory…
TITUBA: Eternal Glory…Bless Him….Bless
home
where you live at a particular time
PARRIS: Go directly home and speak nothin’ of unnatural causes.
honest
marked by truth
And I beg you be clear, open as the sky, and honest.
honest woman
a wife who has married a man with whom she has been living for some time (especially if she is pregnant at the time)
Your wife, you say, is an honest woman?
honesty
the quality of being truthful and having integrity
DANFORTH: Children, a very auger bit will now be turned into your souls until your honesty is proved.
honor
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
Thou shalt honor thy father and mother.
hoofed
having or resembling hoofs

ANN: I’d not call it sick, the Devil’s touch is heavier than sick, it’s death, y’know, it’s death drivin’ into them forked and hoofed.
hope
the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled
Mr. Paris, I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose sprits.
horrified
stricken with horror
(Nurse is still standing, horrified.)
horrify
fill with anxiety, dread, or alarm
(Nurse is still standing, horrified.)
house
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for a family
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
howl
cry loudly, as of animals
They will howl me out of Salem for such a corruption in my house.
hug
squeeze tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
hurt
be the source of pain
REBECCA: Will it hurt the child, sir?
hurtful
causing hurt
There are hurtful, vengeful spirits layin’ hands on these children.
hurting
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
husband
a male partner in a marriage
Let you look to your own improvement before you go to judge your husband any more.
hypnotize
induce a state that resembles sleep in
ABIGAIL: (As though hypnotized, mimicking the exact tone of Mary’s cry.)
hypnotized
having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
ABIGAIL: (As though hypnotized, mimicking the exact tone of Mary’s cry.)
hysterical
characterized by a state of violent mental agitation
DANFORTH: (Growing hysterical.)
hysterically
in a hysterical manner
impatient
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
MARY: ( Impatient at his stupidity.)
improve
to make better
She’s improved a little, I think-she give a powerful sneeze before.
in agreement
united by being of the same opinion
(Corey nods slightly in agreement.)
in all
with everything included or counted
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
in that
(formal) in or into that thing or place
HALE: You cannot evade me, Abigail.—Did your cousin drink any of the brew in that kettle?
in the flesh
appearance carried out in someone else's physical presence
And he goes to save her, and stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly he draw a needle out.
in the public eye
of great interest to the public
PARRIS: Now Mister Hale’s returned, there is hope, I think—for if he bring even one of these to God, that confession surely damns the others in the public eye, and none may doubt more that they are all linked to Hell.
in this
(formal) in or into that thing or place
PUTNAM: Now, look you, Mr. Parris; I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but cannot if you hold back in this.
inaudibly
in an inaudible manner
MARY: (Almost inaudibly.)
incredulously
in a disbelieving manner
indecision
the trait of irresolution
(In a crisis of indecision she cannot speak.)
indeed
in truth (often tends to intensify)
He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I …
ANN: He has indeed, and found by a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
inferno
a very intense and uncontrolled fire
In nomine Domini Sabaoth, sui filiique ite d Infernos.
informant
a person who supplies facts, knowledge, or news
Old man, if your informant tells the truth let him come here openly like a decent man.
innocence
the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong
Look at them, Tituba-look at their God-given innocence; their souls are so tender; we must protect them, Tituba; the devil is out and preying on them like a beast upon the flesh of the pure lamb…God will bless you for your help…
ABIGAIL: (Hands clasped, eyes closed.)
innocent
free from sin
And smokin’ a pipe all these years and no husband either!—but she’s safe, thank God, for they’ll not hurt the innocent child.
innocently
in a naively innocent manner
instruct
impart skills or knowledge to
HALE: No-no…Now let me instruct you.
irons
metal shackles; for hands or legs
HALE: Let the marshal bring irons.
irritate
cause annoyance in
irritated
aroused to impatience or anger
jabberer
someone whose talk is trivial drivel
PROCTOR: But…surely you know what a jabberer she is.
jail
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
There be fourteen people in the jail now, she says.
jangle
make a sound typical of metallic objects
We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!
jangling
like the discordant ringing of nonmusical metallic objects striking together
We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!
Jehovah
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
(The words “ Jehovah” are heard in the psalm—the song outside—Betty claps her ear suddenly, and whines loudly Parris ENTERS.)
Jesus
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
Joshua
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
DANFORTH: Mister Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.
judge
an official who decides questions before a court
The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone and we must look only for his proper signs and judge nothing beforehand, and I must tell you all, that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no trace of hell in this.
jug
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
ELIZABETH: Aye! (Gets jug from off L., pours drink into pewter mug, brings it to him.)
keep
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
There is a murdering witch among us bound to keep herself in the dark.
keep in
cause to stay indoors
All witnesses and prisoners are to be kept in the building.
kept
not violated or disregarded
ELIZABETH: I never kept no poppets, not since I were a girl.
kettle
a metal pot with a lid for stewing or boiling
PARRIS: I think I ought to say that I—I saw a kettle in the grass where they were dancing.
kill
cause to die
You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife!
kindly
in a kind manner or out of kindness
know
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a piece of information
PARRIS: Abigail, I cannot go before the congregation when I know you have not been open with me.
knowledge
the result of perception, learning, and reasoning
PARRIS: No—no, it were secret…
ANN: Mr. Parris’ slave has knowledge of conjurin’, sir.
landholding
a holding in the form of land
These are all covenant people, landholding farmers, members of the church.
landowner
a holder or proprietor of land
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
last
coming after all others in time or space or degree or being the only one remaining
He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I …
ANN: He has indeed, and found by a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
last name
the name used to identify the members of a family
(Proctor signs) Your second name, man (Proctor signs his last name.)
laugh at
subject to laughter or ridicule
ABIGAIL: She send her spirit on me in church, she make me laugh at prayer!
law
the collection of rules imposed by authority
MARY: I am bound by law; I cannot tell it.
lawyer
a professional person authorized for legal practice
What lawyer drew this, Corey?
lay eyes on
see with attention
PARRIS: It is possible, sir—he have not laid eyes on her these three months.
leafing
(botany) the process of forming leaves
HALE: ( Leafing through the book.)
leap
move forward by bounds
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
leap out
jump out from a hiding place and surprise (someone)
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
least of all
especially not
I know that you, you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.
leave
go away from a place
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
lecher
man with strong sexual desires
lechery
unrestrained indulgence in sexual activity
Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mister Proctor!
liar
a person who does not tell the truth
DANFORTH: How were you instructed in your life?—Do you not know that God damns all liars?
lie
be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
She is telling lies about me!
lie about
hang around idly
She is telling lies about me!
lied
a German art song of the 19th century for voice and piano
I do wonder on it, when a minister as steady minded as you will suspicion such a woman that never lied; she cannot lie, and the world knows she cannot.
life
the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
light
electromagnetic radiation that can produce visual sensation
PARRIS: No—no, she never flew…
ANN: Why, it’s sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird, he says!
lightly
with little weight or force
You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord’s man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted…
PUTNAM: Aye!
PARRIS: There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!
like
having the same or similar characteristics
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
like hell
with great speed or effort or intensity
You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord’s man in the parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted…
PUTNAM: Aye!
PARRIS: There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!
lintel
a horizontal beam over a door or window
ABIGAIL: Why, it were beans—and lintels, I think, and—
HALE: Mister Parris, you did not notice, did you—any living thing in the kettle?
list
a database containing an ordered array of items
DANFORTH: (Glancing at long list.)
little
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude
(Susanna Walcott, a little younger than Abigail, enters.)
little girl
a youthful female person
Do you remember my two little girls in Beverly?
live
have life, be alive
Mr. Hale, is it a natural work to lose seven children before they live a day?
living thing
a living (or once living) entity
ABIGAIL: Why, it were beans—and lintels, I think, and—
HALE: Mister Parris, you did not notice, did you—any living thing in the kettle?
loathing
hate coupled with disgust
loftily
in a lofty manner
ELIZABETH: (A little loftily.)
look
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
look at
look at carefully; study mentally
PARRIS: Will you look at my daughter, sir?
look for
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
Do you look for whippin’!
look to
turn one's interests or expectations towards
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
look up
seek information from
(Mercy and Susanna rise, looking up.)
look up to
feel admiration for
(All watch, as Abigail reaches out and draws sobbing Mary to her, then looks up to Danforth.)
looking
appearing to be as specified
PUTNAM: ( Looking down at Betty.)
looking at
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
(Corey crosses near bed, looking at Betty.)
loose
not affixed
Mr. Paris, I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose sprits.
Lord
a titled peer of the realm
The psalm! – she cannot hear the Lord’s name!
love
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
I saw your face when she put me out and you loved me then and you do now!
Lucifer
chief spirit of evil and adversary of God
Have you sold yourself to Lucifer?
lumber
the wood of trees prepared for use as building material
PROCTOR: I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not the smell of this “authority,” I have a crop to sow, and lumber to drag home.
lying
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
And she declares her friends are lying now.
mad
roused to anger
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law
They’ve sent four judges out of Boston, she says, weighty magistrates of the General Court, and at the head sits the Deputy Governor of the Province.
make
perform or carry out
Let your enemies make of it what they will, you cannot blink it more.
man
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
Oh, I marvel how such a (Beating her fists against his chest.) strong man may let such a sickly wife be…
PROCTOR: (Coldly.
many
amounting to a large but indefinite number
Now look you, child-if you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it, for surely my enemies will, and they’ll ruin me with it…
Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
mark
a distinguishing symbol
And mark this proof! –mark it!
marshal
a military officer of highest rank
PUTNAM: The marshal, I’ll call the marshal!
marvel
be amazed at
marvelous
extraordinarily good or great
It is a marvelous sign, Mister Parris!
may
thorny shrub of a small tree having white to scarlet flowers
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
mean
denote or connote
REBECCA: He does not mean that….
meeting house
columbine of eastern North America having long-spurred red flowers
CURTAIN
ACT II: Scene 2
The vestry room of the Meeting House where an examination is going on as curtain rises.
melt down
reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.
mention
make reference to
There are many others who stay away from church these days because he hardly ever mentions God any more.
mercy
a disposition to be kind and forgiving
They will make of it a…
MERCY: Your pardons…I only thought to see how Betty is.
midwife
a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times.
mimic
imitate, especially for satirical effect
And then she replies: ( Mimicking an old crone.)—“Why, your excellence, no curse at all; I only say my commandments; I hope I may say my commandments,” says she!
minister
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
Are you our minister or Mister Hale?
ministry
the work of a person authorized to conduct religious worship
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
mischief
reckless or malicious behavior causing annoyance in others
PROCTOR: I come to see what mischief your uncle’s brewin’ now.
mistake
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or inattention
You mistake yourself, Uncle!
mistaken
wrong in opinion or judgment
PROCTOR: No, sir, you are mistaken….
Mister
a form of address for a man
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
mistrust
regard with suspicion
To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a…
DANFORTH: (He weakens.)
misty
filled or abounding with fog
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
momentarily
for an instant
ABIGAIL: (Now she takes a backward step, as though the bird would swoop down momentarily.)
mongrel
derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine
COREY: That bloody mongrel Walcott charge her.
monstrous
distorted and unnatural in shape or size
She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it.
month
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
more
greater in size or amount or extent or degree
ABIGAIL: There is nothin’ more.
morning
the time period between dawn and noon

Oh, good morning, Mister Putnam…
PUTNAM: It is a providence the thing is out now!
mouth
the opening through which food is taken in
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
mug
with handle and usually cylindrical
ELIZABETH: Aye! (Gets jug from off L., pours drink into pewter mug, brings it to him.)
multiplied
greatly increased as by multiplication
This way, unconfessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, may honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears.
mum
failing to speak or communicate etc when expected to
MERCY: Aye, Mum. (Ann goes out.)
mumble
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
The town’s mumbling witchcraft.
mumbling
indistinct enunciation
The town’s mumbling witchcraft.
murder
unlawful premeditated killing of a human being
ANN: I take it on my soul, but who else may surely tell us who murdered my babies.
murdered
killed unlawfully
ANN: I take it on my soul, but who else may surely tell us who murdered my babies.
murderer
a criminal who commits homicide
Now, sir, the government and central church demand of you the name of him who reported Mister Thomas Putnam a common murderer.
must
a necessary or essential thing
PARRIS: Then he must search on.
mute
expressed without speech
nail
a thin pointed piece of metal that is hammered into materials as a fastener
God does not need my name nailed upon the church!
naive
marked by or showing unaffected simplicity
She is seventeen, a subservient, naïve girl.)
naked
completely unclothed
And I thought I saw a….someone naked running through the trees!
name
a language unit by which a person or thing is known
ABIGAIL: She is blackening my name in the village!
names
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
PARRIS: Who? Who? Their names, their names!
naught
a quantity of no importance

ANN: She ails as she must—she never waked this morning but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat.
nay
a negative
No one in this room is to speak one word, or raise a gesture ay or nay.
near
near in time or place or relationship
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
need
require or want
HALE: We shall need hard study, if it comes to tracking down the Old Boy. You cannot be Rebecca Nurse?
needle
a sharp pointed implement
CHEEVER: Why… (Draws out a long needle from doll.) it is a needle!
never
not ever; at no time in the past or future
PARRIS: No—no, she never flew…
ANN: Why, it’s sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird, he says!
niece
a daughter of your sibling
That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?!
night
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth.
ninety-one
being one more than ninety
NURSE: Ninety-one, Your Excellency.
no more
referring to the degree to which a certain quality is present
I have had enough contention since I came, I want no more.
nod
lower and raise the head, as to indicate assent or agreement or confirmation
nodding
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
(He smiles slightly in admiration, nodding.
none
not at all or in no way
nonsense
a message that seems to convey no meaning
PROCTOR: I never knew until tonight that the world is gone daft with this nonsense.
noose
a loop formed in a cord or rope by means of a slipknot
ELIZABETH: Oh, the noose, the noose is up!
not
negation of a word or group of words
But they’re speakin’ of witchcraft; Betty’s not witched.
nothing
in no respect; to no degree
So there’s nothing to…
BETTY: (Betty suddenly springs off bed, rushes across room to window where Abigail catches her.)
now
at the present moment
Now look you, child-if you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it, for surely my enemies will, and they’ll ruin me with it…
Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
nurse
one skilled in caring for young children or the sick
obscene
offensive to the mind
PARRIS: Now then-in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice.
obstruct
block passage through
I tell you true, Proctor, I never warranted to see such proof of Hell, and I bid you obstruct me not, for I… (Enter Elizabeth with Mary.)
off
from a particular thing or place or position
So there’s nothing to…
BETTY: (Betty suddenly springs off bed, rushes across room to window where Abigail catches her.)
offstage
situated or taking place in the area of a stage not visible to the audience
(Hathorne rushes out door, his voice is heard calling offstage.)
old age
a late time of life
Now begone, your old age alone keeps you out of jail for this.
old boy
a former male pupil of a school
HALE: We shall need hard study, if it comes to tracking down the Old Boy. You cannot be Rebecca Nurse?
old man
a man who is very old
DANFORTH: No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience.
on it
on that
Think on it, wherefore is everybody suing everybody else.
on that
on that
I’d like to speak further on that with you.
one
smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
ABIGAIL: No one was naked!
only
without any others being included or involved
Abominations are done in the forest…
ABIGAIL: It were only sport, Uncle!
open
affording free passage or access
PARRIS: Abigail, I cannot go before the congregation when I know you have not been open with me.
opinion
a personal belief or judgment
I’ve heard the promise of that outside…
PARRIS: A wide opinion’s running in the parish that the Devil may be among us, and I would satisfy them that they are wrong.
ordain
invest with ministerial or priestly authority
The man’s ordained, therefore the light of God is in him.
ordained
fixed or established especially by command
The man’s ordained, therefore the light of God is in him.
other
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
PARRIS: Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for Goody Proctor dischargin’ you?
out
moving or appearing to move away from a place, especially one that is enclosed or hidden
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
out of
motivated by
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
overgrow
become overgrown
He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as webs had overgrown them.
overgrown
abounding in usually unwanted vegetation
He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as webs had overgrown them.
overthrow
rule against
PARRIS: They’ve come to overthrow the court, sir!
pained
hurt or upset
PROCTOR: (As though a secret arrow has pained his heart.)
paper
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
PROCTOR: (Has three papers in his hand.)
pardon
accept an excuse for
They will make of it a…
MERCY: Your pardons…I only thought to see how Betty is.
parish
a local church community
I’ve heard the promise of that outside…
PARRIS: A wide opinion’s running in the parish that the Devil may be among us, and I would satisfy them that they are wrong.
pause
cease an action temporarily
peeve
an annoyance
Danforth is peeved at Parris.)
peeved
aroused to impatience or anger
Danforth is peeved at Parris.)
penitence
remorse for your past conduct
Is there no good penitence but it be public?
penniless
not having enough money to pay for necessities
people
any group of human beings collectively
The parlor’s packed with people, sir.--I’ll
peopled
furnished with people
I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province.
perhaps
by chance
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
DANFORTH: I will tell you this—you are either lying now, or you were lying in the court, and in either case you have committed perjury and you will go to jail for it.
permit
allow the presence of or allow without opposing
HALE: You permit dancing?!
perplex
be a mystery or bewildering to
ELIZABETH: ( Perplexed, she looks at the doll.)
perplexed
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
ELIZABETH: ( Perplexed, she looks at the doll.)
pewter
any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)
ELIZABETH: Aye! (Gets jug from off L., pours drink into pewter mug, brings it to him.)
pig
domestic swine
Perhaps some bird, invisible to others, comes to you, perhaps a pig, or any beast at all.
plaintiff
a person who brings an action in a court of law
And always plaintiff, too
DANFORTH: (Lightly.)
plea
a humble request for help from someone in authority
plead
appeal or request earnestly
pleading
begging
please
give enjoyment to
Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you.
point
a distinguishing or individuating characteristic
MARY: ( Pointing at Elizabeth.)
pointing out
indication by demonstration
I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people—and this is my reward?
politely
in a polite manner
DANFORTH: (Very politely.)
poppet
a mushroom-shaped valve that rises perpendicularly from its seat; commonly used in internal-combustion engines
posh
elegant and fashionable
ABIGAIL: Oh, posh!—We were dancin’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us.
postpone
hold back to a later time
PARRIS: Excellency… I would postpone these hangin’s for a time.
postponement
the act of delaying something until a future time
DANFORTH: There will be no postponement.
praise
an expression of approval and commendation
PARRIS: Praise God!
PROCTOR: Mary, how…?
pray
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, I pray for her.
prayer
reverent petition to a deity
I think we ought rely on Doctor Griggs now, and good prayer…
ANN: Rebecca, the docter’s baffled.
pregnant
carrying a developing baby within the body
prepare
make ready or suitable or equip in advance
PARRIS: Well, you do come prepared!
pretend
make believe with the intent to deceive
They are also pretending?
pretending
the act of giving a false appearance
They are also pretending?
pretense
the act of giving a false appearance
primly
in a prissy manner
ELIZABETH: (Without hesitation, simply, primly.)
proceeding
a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
My insides are all shuddery; I am in the proceedings all day, sir.
proceedings
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
My insides are all shuddery; I am in the proceedings all day, sir.
prod
push against gently
ELIZABETH: (Quietly, fearing to anger him by prodding.
prodding
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
ELIZABETH: (Quietly, fearing to anger him by prodding.
prodigious
great in size, force, extent, or degree
PUTNAM: That is a notorious sign of witchcraft afoot, a prodigious sign.
profit
the advantageous quality of being beneficial
She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it.
promise
a verbal commitment agreeing to do something in the future
I’ve heard the promise of that outside…
PARRIS: A wide opinion’s running in the parish that the Devil may be among us, and I would satisfy them that they are wrong.
proof
any evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
And mark this proof! –mark it!
proper
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone and we must look only for his proper signs and judge nothing beforehand, and I must tell you all, that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no trace of hell in this.
prove
establish the validity of something
I am only wondering how I may prove what she told me, Elizabeth.
providence
prudence and care exercised in the management of resources
Oh, good morning, Mister Putnam…
PUTNAM: It is a providence the thing is out now!
province
the territory in an administrative district of a nation
I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province.
psalm
a sacred song used to praise a deity
I will lead them in a psalm.
public eye
a focus of public attention
PARRIS: Now Mister Hale’s returned, there is hope, I think—for if he bring even one of these to God, that confession surely damns the others in the public eye, and none may doubt more that they are all linked to Hell.
put
cause to be in a certain state
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
put out
thrust or extend out
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
put-upon
of persons; taken advantage of
Oh, then you’re much put-upon.
quail
a small game bird
For them that quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud.
quaker
one who quakes and trembles with (or as with) fear
PARRIS: What, are we Quakers?
Quakers
a Christian sect founded by George Fox about 1660
PARRIS: What, are we Quakers?
quaver
give off unsteady sounds
PARRIS: (In a quavering voice, quietly.)
quavering
(of the voice) shaking as from weakness or fear

PARRIS: (In a quavering voice, quietly.)
question
a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
ABIGAIL: Now look you, if they be questioning us tell them we danced—I told him as much already.
questioning
a request for information
ABIGAIL: Now look you, if they be questioning us tell them we danced—I told him as much already.
quiet
characterized by an absence of agitation or activity
PROCTOR: (As 3 or 4 persons off-stage begin a quiet chant—a psalm or hymn.)
quietly
with low volume
ELIZABETH: ( Quietly, fearing to anger him by prodding.
rafter
one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
MERCY: It’s on the beam!—behind the rafter!
rag doll
a cloth doll that is stuffed and (usually) painted
MARY: (Crossing to Elizabeth, taking a small rag doll from pocket in her undershirt.)
raise
move upwards
I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand—I saw Sarah Good (Betty’s hands appear above headboard raised toward the heaven.) with the Devil!
raise up
change the arrangement or position of
ELIZABETH: I forbid her go, and she raises up her chin like the daughter of a prince, and says to me, “I must go to Salem, Goody Proctor, I am an official of the court!”
raising
the event of something being raised upward
MARY: (Screaming it out at top of her lungs, and raising her fists.)
reach out
reach outward in space
(All watch, as Abigail reaches out and draws sobbing Mary to her, then looks up to Danforth.)
read
look at and say out loud something written or printed
COREY: I’m not sayin’ she’s touched the Devil, now, but I’d admire to know what books she reads and why she hides them—she’ll not answer me, y’see.
reading
written material intended to be read
COREY: I never said my wife were a witch, Mister Hale, I only said she were reading books!
rebellion
organized opposition to authority
The rumor here speaks rebellion in Andover, and it…
DANFORTH: (Strongly protesting.)
recite
repeat aloud from memory
MARY: Aye, but then Judge Hathorne say, “ Recite for us your commandments!”—and of all the ten she could not say a single one.
reckon
expect, believe, or suppose
And mark this—let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.
regretfully
with sadness or remorse
HALE: (Thoughtfully and regretfully.)
remember
recall knowledge; have a recollection
He has much experience in all demonic arts, and I …
ANN: He has indeed, and found by a witch in Beverly last year, and let you remember that.
remorselessly
without pity; in a merciless manner
MARY: I… (She glances at Abigail who is staring down at her remorselessly.)
remove
take something away as by lifting, pushing, or taking off
ELIZABETH: ( Removes water and towel, goes out L., and returns with dish of stew.)
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal
Postponement, now, speaks a… a floundering (Willard ENTERS.) on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now.—Have you spoken with them all, Mister Hale?
restrain
hold back
ELIZABETH: (Unable to restrain her anxiety.)
Reverend
a title of respect for a clergyman
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
righteous
morally justified
And I… My husband is a good and righteous man.
riot
a state of disorder involving group violence
DANFORTH: And how do you imagine to help her cause with such contemptuous riot?
rip
tear or be torn violently
If she is truly in the Devil’s grip we may have to rip and tear to get her free.
rip out
burst out with a violent or profane utterance
She must be ripped out of the world!
rise
move upward
As the curtain rises we see Parris on his knees, beside a bed.
rising
sloping upward
roll off
recite volubly or extravagantly
rotting
the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
HALE: Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle below on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hang everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life—and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke?
rumor
gossip passed around by word of mouth
ABIGAIL: Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself.
run off
run away
I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem anymore—since the news of Andover has broken here.
rush
act or move at high speed
So there’s nothing to…
BETTY: (Betty suddenly springs off bed, rushes across room to window where Abigail catches her.)
rush out
jump out from a hiding place and surprise (someone)
(Hathorne rushes out door, his voice is heard calling offstage.)
Ruth
the great-grandmother of king David whose story is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament
PARRIS: Your little Ruth is sick?
Sabaoth
hosts or armies
In nomine Domini Sabaoth, sui filiique ite d Infernos.
Sabbath
a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians
I do not think I saw you at Sabbath meeting since snow flew.
saint
a person who has died and has been canonized
The town’s gone wild, I think—Mary Warren speak of Abigail as though she were a saint, to hear her.
saintliness
the quality of resembling a saint
Then her saintliness is done with.
Salem
a city in northeastern Massachusetts
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
Sarah
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
Satan
chief spirit of evil and adversary of God
PARRIS: I hope you do not mean we go to Satan here!
save
bring into safety
We look to you to come to our house and save our child.
saw
hand tool having a toothed blade for cutting
PARRIS: I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you; why were she doing that?
say
utter aloud

PARRIS: What does the doctor say, child?
scaffold
a temporary arrangement erected around a building
Come, man, there is light in the sky; the town waits at the scaffold, I would give out this news.
scene
the place where some action occurs
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
scream
utter a sudden loud cry
And folks are brought before them, and if Abigail scream and howl and fall to the floor—the person’s clapped in the jail for bewitchin’ her.
screaming
resembling a scream in effect
I… I heard the other girls screaming, and you, your Honor, you seemed to believe them and I… It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I… I promise you, Mister Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not.
screech
sharp piercing cry
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
screeching
a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
search
look or seek
PARRIS: Then he must search on.
secretly
in secrecy; not openly
But it’s hard to think so pious a woman be secretly a Devil’s bitch after seventy year of such good prayer.
see
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
As the curtain rises we see Parris on his knees, beside a bed.
seeded
having or supplied with seeds
PROCTOR: Aye, the farm is seeded.
send
cause to go somewhere
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
send for
order, request, or command to come
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
sensing
becoming aware of something via the senses
ELIZABETH: (Not knowing what to say, sensing a situation, she wets her lips to stall for time.)
sent
caused or enabled to go or be conveyed or transmitted
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
set aside
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
COREY: They’re tellin’ lies about my wife, sir, I …
DANFORTH: Then you take it upon yourself to decide what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?
seven
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
seventeen
the cardinal number that is the sum of sixteen and one
She is seventeen, a subservient, naïve girl.)
seventy
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and seven
But it’s hard to think so pious a woman be secretly a Devil’s bitch after seventy year of such good prayer.
seventy-two
being two more than seventy
NURSE: I…
DANFORTH: And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?
shiver
shake, as from cold
(She shivers and looks at Mary, then folds her arms around her.)—there is…
DANFORTH: (Apprehensively.)
shock
an unpleasant or disappointing surprise
I come now from Rebecca Nurse’s house and…
ELIZABETH: ( Shocked.)
shocked
struck with fear, dread, or surprise
I come now from Rebecca Nurse’s house and…
ELIZABETH: ( Shocked.)
shouting
uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement
Let me go, Mister Proctor, I cannot, I cannot…
ABIGAIL: ( Shouting.)
shovelboard
a game in which players use long sticks to shove wooden disks onto the scoring area marked on a smooth surface
He is never drunk, as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always at his work… But in my sickness—you see, sir, I were a long time sick after my last baby, and I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning from me.
shrivel
wither, as with a loss of moisture
A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin’ on her life, too.
shriveled
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her, my babies always shriveled in her hands…
HALE: Take courage, you must give us all their names.
shuddery
provoking fear terror
My insides are all shuddery; I am in the proceedings all day, sir.
sick
affected by impairment of normal physical or mental function
PARRIS: Your little Ruth is sick?
sick of
having a strong distaste from surfeit
sickly
somewhat ill or prone to illness
Oh, I marvel how such a (Beating her fists against his chest.) strong man may let such a sickly wife be…
PROCTOR: (Coldly.
sickness
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
But I know the children’s sickness had naught to do with witchcraft.
sidle
move sideways
sign
a visible clue that something has happened or is present
It is a marvelous sign, Mister Parris!
signature
your name written in your own handwriting
And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?
signify
denote or connote
COREY: Mister Hale… I have always wanted to ask a learned man—What signifies the readin’ of strange books?
signing
language expressed by visible hand gestures
The people signing it declare their good opinion of Rebecca and my wife, and Martha Corey.
silence
the state of being quiet (as when no one is speaking)
Are you silencing this child?
silent
marked by absence of sound
ELIZABETH: Spoke or silent, a promise is surely made.
silly
ludicrous, foolish
ABIGAIL: She’s only gone silly, somehow.
silly season
a time usually late summer characterized by exaggerated news stories about frivolous matters for want of real news
I have eleven children and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief.
sin
an act that is regarded as a transgression of God's will
PARRIS: Goody Ann, it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead!
sing
produce tones with the voice
And I heard a screeching and gibberish comin’ from her mouth…
ABIGAIL: She always sings her Barbados songs and we dance.
sir
term of address for a man
SUSANNA: Dr. Griggs he bid me come and tell you, Reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books.
sit
take a seat
sit in
attend as a visitor
The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you.
sit up
change to an upright sitting position
Now you… sit up and stop this!
six times
by a factor of six
I have eleven children and I am twenty- six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief.
slashed
patterned by having color applied with sweeping strokes
I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits, I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers.
sleep
a natural and periodic state of rest
She sleeps and yet she walks….
sleep in
live in the house where one works
When she come into the court I say to myself, I must not accuse this woman, for she sleep in ditches, and so very old and poor… But then… then she sit there, denying and denying, and I feel a misty coldness climbin’ up my back, and the skin on my skull begin to creep, and I feel a clamp around my neck and I cannot breathe air; and then… (Entranced as though it were a miracle.)
slight
small in quantity or degree
( Slight pause as Proctor watches Elizabeth pass him, then speaks, being aware of Elizabeth’s alarm.)
slovenly
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
slowly
without speed
smile
a facial expression with the corners of the mouth turned up
PROCTOR: (His smile widens.
smiling
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
sneeze
exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose

She’s improved a little, I think-she give a powerful sneeze before.
snivel
cry or whine with snuffling
She is a cold sniveling woman and you bend to her!
sniveling
whining in a tearful manner
She is a cold sniveling woman and you bend to her!
sob
weep convulsively
(Betty dissolves into sobs.)
sobbing
convulsive gasp made while weeping
(Mary continues sobbing, “I cannot!”)
soften
make soft or softer
And they soften, they soften?
softly
with little weight or force
Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time.
softness
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
HALE: I… have… there is a softness in your record, sir, a softness.
sold
disposed of to a purchaser
Have you sold yourself to Lucifer?
solemn
dignified and somber in manner or character
God keep you both; let the third child be quickly baptized and go you without fail each Sunday into Sabbath prayer; and keep a solemn, quiet way among you.
some
quantifier
PARRIS: Now then-in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice.
someone
a human being
And I thought I saw a…. someone naked running through the trees!
somewhat
to a small degree or extent
I never thought you but a good man, John, only somewhat bewildered.
soon
in the near future
Mister Parris, I think you’d best be sent Reverend Hale back as soon as he come.
soul
the immaterial part of a person
She is a twisted soul of forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams.)
soup
liquid food especially of meat or fish or vegetable stock often containing pieces of solid food
ABIGAIL: That were only soup.
speak
use language
PARRIS: Go directly home and speak nothin’ of unnatural causes.
speaking
capable of or involving speech or speaking
(As she is speaking Betty picks it up as a chant.)
spirit
the vital principle or animating force within living things
Now look you, child-if you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it, for surely my enemies will, and they’ll ruin me with it…
Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
spirits
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
Now look you, child-if you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it, for surely my enemies will, and they’ll ruin me with it…
Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
spoke
a rod joining the hub of a wheel to the rim
PROCTOR: I never spoke on witches one way or the other.
spoken
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
And tell her not one word of what’s been spoken here.
sport
active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
Abominations are done in the forest…
ABIGAIL: It were only sport, Uncle!
sporting
relating to or used in sports
PROCTOR: They were discovered by Mr. Parris sporting in the woods.
sprit
a light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally
Mr. Paris, I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose sprits.
stab
poke or thrust abruptly
And demandin’ of her how she come to be so stabbed, she… (To Proctor.) testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in.
stallion
uncastrated adult male horse
ABIGAIL: I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!
stamp
walk heavily
stand
be standing; be upright
Since Proctor’s entrance, Abigail has stood absorbing his presence, wide-eyed.)
stare
look at with fixed eyes
MARY: I… (She glances at Abigail who is staring down at her remorselessly.)
stare down
overcome or cause to waver or submit by staring
MARY: I… (She glances at Abigail who is staring down at her remorselessly.)
staring
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
MARY: I… (She glances at Abigail who is staring down at her remorselessly.)
start
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
PARRIS: If she starts for the window, cry for me at once.
startle
surprise greatly
HALE: I hope I do not startle you.
stay away
stay clear of, avoid
There are many others who stay away from church these days because he hardly ever mentions God any more.
step
the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
A step L.) God forbid you keep that from the court, John; I think they must be told.
stew
cook slowly and for a long time in liquid
ELIZABETH: (Removes water and towel, goes out L., and returns with dish of stew.)
stick
a long thin implement resembling a length of wood
For how else is she stuck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth!
stick by
be loyal to
I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits, I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers.
stink
smell badly and offensively
HALE: Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle below on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hang everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life—and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke?
stomach
enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal
PARRIS: I have no stomach for disputation this morning.
stone
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone and we must look only for his proper signs and judge nothing beforehand, and I must tell you all, that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no trace of hell in this.
stool
a simple seat without a back or arms
stop
have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense
For how else is she stuck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth!
stoppage
the act of stopping something
HALE: Ah!—the stoppage of prayer—that is strange.
stops
a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card
strange
unusual or out of the ordinary
Look you, Ann.
ANN: Why, that’s strange.
strangeness
the quality of being alien or not native
Now, sir, what were your first warnings of this strangeness?
straw
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
Willard enters, crosses D.L. and clears straw from L. bench.
strike
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
PUTNAM: Now look you, sir-let you strike out against the Devil and the village will bless you for it!
strike hard
deliver a sharp blow or push :"He knocked the glass clear across the room"
But it strikes hard upon me that she will laugh at prayer.
strike out
set out on a course of action
PUTNAM: Now look you, sir-let you strike out against the Devil and the village will bless you for it!
strive
attempt by employing effort
MARY: ( Striving for her authority.)
striving
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
MARY: ( Striving for her authority.)
strongbox
a strongly made box for holding money or valuables
My daughter tells me now she hears them speakin’ of ships last week, and tonight I discover my… my strongbox is broken into.
struck
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
stuck
caught or fixed
For how else is she stuck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth!
stupidity
a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience
MARY: (Impatient at his stupidity.)
subservient
compliant and obedient to authority
She is seventeen, a subservient, naïve girl.)
subside
wear off or die down
Abigail dashes across the stage as though pursued, the other girls streak hysterically in and out between the men, all converging.—and as their screaming subsides only Mary Warren’s is left.
such
of so extreme a degree or extent
PARRIS: Now then-in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice.
suck
draw into the mouth by creating a vacuum in the mouth
A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin’ on her life, too.
sucking
the act of sucking
A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin’ on her life, too.
suddenly
happening unexpectedly
ABIGAIL: We did dance, Uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted.
sue
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
Think on it, wherefore is everybody suing everybody else.
summon
ask to come

PARRIS: These people should be summoned for questioning.
sun
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!
sure
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty
PARRIS: No—no, she never flew…
ANN: Why, it’s sure she did; Mister Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird, he says!
surely
definitely or positively
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
Susanna
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
Susanna Wallcott’s here from Dr. Griggs.
suspicion
an impression that something might be the case
I’ll not have your suspicion any more.
suspiciously
with suspicion
HATHORNE: ( Suspiciously.)
swear
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
PARRIS: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit.
sweat
salty fluid secreted by glands in the skin
ABIGAIL: I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!
sweating
the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
He is gaunt, frightened and sweating.)
swoop
move with a sweep
ABIGAIL: (Now she takes a backward step, as though the bird would swoop down momentarily.)
table
furniture having a smooth flat top supported by legs
(Putnam crosses L. to above table, gets hat, crosses and exits.)
taint
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
HALE: Believe me, sir, if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning.
tainted
touched by rot or decay
HALE: Believe me, sir, if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning.
take
get into one's hands
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
take aback
surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off
taken
understood in a certain way; made sense of
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
taken with
marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
COREY: It is my third wife, sir, and I never had no wife that be so taken with books, d’y’understand, sir, and I thought to find the cause of it, d’y’see, but it were no witch I blamed her for…I have broke charity with her.
takin
large heavily built goat antelope of eastern Himalayan area
I hope you’re not takin’ this for proof, Mister Hale.
taking
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
PROCTOR: ( Taking her hands.)
talks
a discussion intended to produce an agreement
(Nurse crosses to Corey, talks to him.)
tantalize
harass with persistent teasing or baiting
(A fury is riding in him, a tantalized search.)
tear
separate or cause to separate abruptly
If she is truly in the Devil’s grip we may have to rip and tear to get her free.
Tell
a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
tell
narrate or give a detailed account of
SUSANNA: Dr. Griggs he bid me come and tell you, Reverend sir, that he cannot discover no medicine for it in his books.
tempting
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
I hear her singing her Barbados songs and tempting me with-
TITUBA: Mister Reverend, I never-
HALE: When did you compact with the Devil?
testament
strong evidence for something
It’s a sort of testament.
testify
give a solemn statement in a court of law
And you… would you testify this to the court?
thank
express gratitude or show appreciation to
PARRIS: Why thank you, Guiles.
thank you
a conversational expression of gratitude
PARRIS: Why thank you, Guiles.
the boot
an instrument of torture that is used to heat or crush the foot and leg
I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face.
the devil
something difficult or awkward to do or deal with
ANN: I’d not call it sick, the Devil’s touch is heavier than sick, it’s death, y’know, it’s death drivin’ into them forked and hoofed.
then
at that time
PARRIS: Then he must search on.
there
in or at that place
There be no unnatural causes here.
think
judge or regard; look upon; judge
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
thirty
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
There be thirty-nine now….
thirty-nine
being nine more than thirty
There be thirty-nine now….
thirty-one
being one more than thirty
PARRIS: Thirty-one pound is gone.
thirty-three
being three more than thirty
COREY: I have the best, sir—I am thirty-three time in court in my life.
Thomas
the Apostle who would not believe the resurrection of Jesus until he saw Jesus with his own eyes
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
thou
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
HALE: Aye.
PROCTOR: Thou shalt not kill.
though
(postpositive) however
She has tried to leap out the window; we discovered her this morning on the highroad, waving her arm as though she’d fly.
thought
the content of cognition
Let him look to medicine, and put out all thought of unnatural causes here.
threat
declaration of an intention to inflict harm on another
threatened
likely in the near future to become endangered
Has Mister Proctor threatened you for this deposition?
three
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
till
work land as by ploughing to make it ready for cultivation
I’ll wait till Mister Hale arrives.
time
the continuum of experience in which events pass to the past
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
times
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
I have eleven children and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief.
timidly
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
titillate
excite pleasurably or erotically
titillated
feeling mild pleasurable excitement
to that
to that
PROCTOR: You will not go to that court again, Mary Warren.
to-do
a disorderly outburst or tumult
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well- to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
today
on this day as distinct from yesterday or tomorrow
PUTNAM: It does not seem to help us today, Mister Hale.
tomorrow
the day after today
You heard her say…
ELIZABETH: And what of tomorrow?-she will cry me out until they take me!
tongs
any of various devices for taking hold of objects
You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you, you would not! – it is evil.
tonight
during the night of the present day
ELIZABETH: I would go to Salem now, John… let you go tonight.
topple
fall down, as if collapsing
In my house, Thomas?-they will topple me with this!
touch
make physical contact with, come in contact with
ANN: I’d not call it sick, the Devil’s touch is heavier than sick, it’s death, y’know, it’s death drivin’ into them forked and hoofed.
towel
a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth for drying or wiping
ELIZABETH: (Removes water and towel, goes out L., and returns with dish of stew.)
track down
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
HALE: We shall need hard study, if it comes to tracking down the Old Boy. You cannot be Rebecca Nurse?
tracking
the pursuit by following tracks or marks they left behind
HALE: We shall need hard study, if it comes to tracking down the Old Boy. You cannot be Rebecca Nurse?
transfix
render motionless because of surprise, terror, or awe
(She is transfixed—with all the girls, in complete silence, she is open-mouthed, agape at ceiling, and in great fear.)
transfixed
having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
(She is transfixed—with all the girls, in complete silence, she is open-mouthed, agape at ceiling, and in great fear.)
tremble
move quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
A trembling below the ground?
tried
tested and proved to be reliable
She has tried to leap out the window; we discovered her this morning on the highroad, waving her arm as though she’d fly.
triumphantly
in a triumphant manner
trouble
a source of difficulty
It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service.
true
consistent with fact or reality; not false
Now tell me true, Abigail.
truth
a factual statement
We must tell the truth, Abby!—you’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!
try
make an effort or attempt
She has tried to leap out the window; we discovered her this morning on the highroad, waving her arm as though she’d fly.
trying
hard to endure
Aye! ( Trying to grin it away—to Hale.)
turn
move around an axis or a center
And now, this year, my Ruth, my only-I see her turning strange.
turn around
turn abruptly and face the other way, either physically or metaphorically
(Proctor and Abigail turn around into scene.)
turn on
cause to operate by flipping a switch
turn to
direct one's interest or attention towards; go into
( Turns to Betty, helps her sit up.)
turnabout
turning in the opposite direction
Mary Warren, how came you to this turnabout?
turning
a movement in a new direction
And now, this year, my Ruth, my only-I see her turning strange.
twenty-six
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-five and one
I have eleven children and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief.
unafraid
oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them
unaware
not having or showing knowledge or understanding
Now my ministry’s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life…..whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there.
unbaptized
not having undergone the Christian ritual of baptism
ANN: Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth.
unbelief
a rejection of faith
DANFORTH: (With great unbelief.)
uncle
the brother of your father or mother
unconfessed
not admitted
This way, unconfessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, may honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears.
uncorrupted
not debased
DANFORTH: No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mister Hale!
undermine
weaken or impair, especially gradually
PROCTOR: Why, I… I would free my wife, sir…
DANFORTH: There lurks nowhere in your heart, nor hidden in your spirit, any desire to undermine this court?
undershirt
a collarless men's undergarment for the upper part of the body
MARY: (Crossing to Elizabeth, taking a small rag doll from pocket in her undershirt.)
understand
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
Now look you, child-if you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it, for surely my enemies will, and they’ll ruin me with it…
Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
undertone
a subdued or implied meaning of an utterance
PROCTOR: (With a violent undertone.)
undo
cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect
undone
not fastened or tied or secured
unintelligible
not clearly understood or expressed
(Mary utters something unintelligible, staring at Abigail who keeps watching the “bird” above.)
unintelligibly
in an unintelligible manner
(Mary utters again unintelligibly.)
unnatural
not in accordance with or determined by nature
SUSANNA: Aye, sir, he have been searchin’ his books since he left you, sir, but he bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause of it.
unperturbed
free from emotional agitation or nervous tension

ABIGAIL: ( Unperturbed, continues to “bird.”)
untrue
not according with the facts
(She knows this to be untrue.)
unwillingly
in an unwilling manner
upright
in a vertical position; not sloping
ELIZABETH: And that’s an upright answer.
urgency
an earnest and insistent necessity
HALE: (With great urgency.)
vanished
having passed out of existence
My niece… I believe she has vanished.
vanity
feelings of excessive pride
And being what she is, a lump of vanity, sir….
vengeance
harming someone in retaliation for something they have done
I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem— vengeance is walking Salem.
vengeful
disposed to take action in return for a perceived wrong
There are hurtful, vengeful spirits layin’ hands on these children.
very
being the exact same one; not any other:
PARRIS: Now then-in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice.
vestry
a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held
CURTAIN
ACT II: Scene 2
The vestry room of the Meeting House where an examination is going on as curtain rises.
village
a settlement smaller than a town
PUTNAM: Now look you, sir-let you strike out against the Devil and the village will bless you for it!
visibly
in a visible manner
ABIGAIL: (She is shivering visibly.)
voice
the sound made when a person speaks
PROCTOR: (Angrily in a loud voice as Mary is crossing.)
wake
stop sleeping
ANN: She ails as she must—she never waked this morning but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat.
wake up
stop sleeping

Now, Betty, dear, wake up now.
walk
use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
ANN: She ails as she must—she never waked this morning but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat.
walk away
go away from
You must remember, Goody Proctor—last month—a Monday, I think—she walked away and I thought my guts would burst for two days after.
walk out of
leave, usually as an expression of disapproval
And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly—mark this—I could pray again!
walking
the act of traveling by foot
I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem.
want
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
ABIGAIL: They want slaves, not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for that, I will not black my face for any of them!
warden
the chief official in charge of a prison
Did you consult the wardens of the church before you called the minister to look for devils?
warrant
formal and explicit approval
(Takes a warrant from pocket.)
Warren
United States jurist who served as chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1891-1974)
Enter Mary Warren, breathless.
wash
clean with some chemical process
Crosses to the wash stand, pours water into it from pitcher.
waving
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
PARRIS: I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you; why were she doing that?
weaken
lessen the strength of
To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a…
DANFORTH: (He weakens.)
weakening
the act of reducing the strength of something
PROCTOR: (Seeing her weakening.)
weakly
in a weak or feeble manner or to a minor degree
week
any period of seven consecutive days
ELIZABETH: You did speak of goin’, earlier this week.
weep
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear.
weeping
the process of shedding tears
HALE: Mister Proctor…
PROCTOR: (His weeping heart pressing his words.)
weighted
made heavy or weighted down with weariness
HALE: They must be, they are weighted with authority.
weighty
having relatively great weight; heavy
They’ve sent four judges out of Boston, she says, weighty magistrates of the General Court, and at the head sits the Deputy Governor of the Province.
well
in a good or satisfactory manner or to a high standard
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
well-to-do
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
PARRIS: Now, look you, Goody Putnam; she never…(Enter Thomas Putnam, a well-to-do, hard-handed landowner near fifty.)
whim
an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
I do not wish to be put out like the cat, whenever some majority feels the whim.
whimper
cry weakly or softly
ABIGAIL: (Betty whimpers.)
whine
a complaint uttered in a plaintive way
(The words “Jehovah” are heard in the psalm—the song outside—Betty claps her ear suddenly, and whines loudly Parris ENTERS.)
whip
an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash
We must tell the truth, Abby!—you’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!
whipping
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
I’ll not stand whipping any more!
whore
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
ELIZABETH: Then go-and tell her she’s a whore.
why
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'
PARRIS: I saw Tituba waving her arms over the fire when I came on you; why were she doing that?
wide-eyed
exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity
Since Proctor’s entrance, Abigail has stood absorbing his presence, wide-eyed.)
widen
extend in scope or range or area
PROCTOR: (His smile widens.
wife
a married woman; a partner in marriage
You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife!
wifely
befitting or characteristic of a wife
Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation—be there no wifely tenderness within you?
will
the capability of conscious choice and decision
Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mister Hale will surely confirm that.
Willard
United States educator who was an early campaigner for higher education for women (1787-1870)
Willard enters, crosses D.L. and clears straw from L. bench.
Williams
English clergyman and colonist who was expelled from Massachusetts for criticizing Puritanism; he founded Providence in 1636 and obtained a royal charter for Rhode Island in 1663 (1603-1683)

Abigail Williams, 17, ENTERS.
wily
marked by skill in deception
HALE: Aye. But the Devil is a wily one, you cannot deny it.
wings
a means of flight or ascent
wipe
rub with a circular motion
Wipe it out of mind—(Takes her arms.) we never touched, Abby.
wise to
evidencing the possession of inside information
But I thought to summon you, sir, that we might think on whether it be not wise to… there is news, sir, that the court, the court must reckon with.
wish
an expression of some desire or inclination
I know that you, you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.
wit
mental ability
Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you.
witch
a female sorcerer or magician
But they’re speakin’ of witchcraft; Betty’s not witched.
witchcraft
the art of sorcery
ABIGAIL: Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself.
witchery
the art of sorcery
Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two years ago!
with child
in an advanced stage of pregnancy
His wife… his wife must be well on with child now.
witness
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you.
wits
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you.
woman
an adult female person
She is a twisted soul of forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams.)
wonder
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you.
wood
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
ABIGAIL: Oh, posh!—We were dancin’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us.
woods
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
ABIGAIL: Oh, posh!—We were dancin’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us.
word
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
Come down, speak to them-pray with them-they’re thirsting for your word, Mister!
work
activity directed toward making or doing something
Now get you home; (Mary crosses up and out.) my wife is waitin’ with your work!
world
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
PROCTOR: I never knew until tonight that the world is gone daft with this nonsense.
wrist
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
year
the period of time that it takes for a planet (as, e.g., Earth or Mars) to make a complete revolution around the sun
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
ACT I: Scene 1
SETTING: A bedroom in Reverend Samuel Parris’ house, Salem, Massachusetts, in the Spring of the year, 1692.
yet
up to the present time
And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth.

Created on December 16, 2010 (updated December 16, 2010)

What does Hale carry with him when he arrives?

When Hale arrives, what is he carrying? He is carrying heavy books.

What does Hale beg the prisoners to do in the final?

Hale enters the cell, saddened and exhausted, and says he hasn't been able to get anyone to confess. He begs Danforth to pardon the prisoners or at least give him more time to bring them around.

What does Hale say when he quits the court?

"I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court."' Thus, at the end of Act Three, the Reverend John Hale punctuates the painful climax of The Crucible, Arthur Miller's memorable play about the Salem witch trials.

Who did Reverend Hale accuse?

Hale's first actions in Salem do belie the taint of pride. When Abigail accuses Tituba (Reverend Parris's servant) of witchcraft, Mr. Hail at once regards the accusation as truth.