Theocracy As The Cause Of The Salem Witch Trials - 1025 Words

Theocracy as the Cause of the Salem Witch Trials The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play that shows how the Salem witch trials unfold. As a Puritan society, Salem functions as a theocracy. Unlike today s United States government in which Church and State are entirely separate entities, a theocracy is essentially the Church acting as the government. Because of the theocratic nature of Salem s governing body, religion plays a principal role in the lives of every character and has a major effect on the progression of the plot. In The Crucible, theology is used as a tool to accomplish ulterior motives of greed and vengeance, allowing the witch trials to gain momentum. The theocratic governing body in Salem is ultimately responsible for the witch trials due to laws based on religion rather than reason that are enforced by a corrupt criminal justice system. In the Puritan society, laws are based purely on biblical teaching, even if they are not grounded in logic. For example, the illegality of dance is irrational, since dance poses no harm, but due to Puritan teachings against it, dancing is against the law. Abigail Williams and several other young girls begin the momentum of witchcraft accusations after they were found dancing in the woods. Although they had done other, presumably worse, things than dancing, the fact that their simple, childish act is worthy of legal punishment is incredibly unreasonable. Their behavior prompts several accusations of witchcraft by theShow MoreRelatedArthur Millers Crucible Characters and Social Strife Essay1198 Words   |  5 PagesArthur Miller’s The Crucible presents the fact that every action has a consequence. The playwright uses his characters and the choices they make to demonstrate what happens in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. The corrupt interests of the Putnams, Abigail, and the co urt opposing the common good lead to social strife in the town. The common townsfolk, such as the Putnams, take advantage of the situation, and they turn against their neighbors causing tears on the moral makeup of the town. The vengefulRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1842 Words   |  8 PagesA Crucible is a test trial, or a way to find the outcome through an experiment; A crucible can be used for many things, including a preseason scrimmage or a science experiment during science class. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is set in seventeenth century Salem, MA, during the Salem Witch Trials. In Act One, Miller explains the panic that is imbued in the community during the witch hunt, and he analyzes the inevitable outcome of a theocracy: collapse (7). Religion and government are two oppositeRead MoreThe Red Scare And The Salem Witch Trials1226 Words   |  5 PagesScare and the Salem Witch Trials were both tragic events that turned everyone against each other based on weak testimonies. 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Dimmesdale and Proctor were both martyrs to their sin. More specifically, they were both martyrs to the sin of adultery. Being a man of the cloth, this was especially painful for Dimmesdale. How could â€Å"a ruined soul likeRead MoreThe Worth of Men1656 Words   |  7 PagesCrucible is a play narrating the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The story mainly focuses on the evolution of John Proctor, a humble farmer in Salem, Massachusetts during the Witch Trials. In the beginning of the play, Proctor is characterized as a hypocrite hating, yet pragmatic realist. This is ironic because he himself is a hypocrite regarding his â€Å"affair† with Abigail, his former maid who later causes the entire system of Salem to be corrupt. Yet, unlike many others in Salem, Proctor completely realizesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Crucible 1364 Words   |  6 Pages Themes A theme in The Crucible is that a society ruled by theocracy and status based on religion is bound to fall apart. 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We are able to view these experiences of belonging and not belongingRead MoreThe Value Of Reputation In Arthur Millers The Crucible994 Words   |  4 PagesIn Arthur Miller’s dramatic play The Crucible, the notable writer successfully argues that the people in Salem rely too much on their reputation by creating a connection to the audience in order to convey the message. He does this in hopes of informing the world that in times of hysteria, reputation means nothing. To prove the argument, Miller uses ethos by developing his credibility when he explains his very own knowledge of the historical situation. Also, the appeals of logos and pathos are evident