TCT's The Crucible

ACT THREE

Martha Corey's trial is underway when Giles appears, interrupting the proceedings. He is removed to the vestry room by the Marshal, and is soon joined by Hale, Parris, Judge Hathorne, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Cheever. They admonish Giles to present his evidence in proper form, by affidavit and he leaves. Francis Nurse then enters and is joined shortly by Giles, Mary Warren and John Proctor. They claim the girls are frauds and present a deposition, or sworn statement, signed by Mary, that she never saw any spirits. They also present a petition signed by others in the community attesting to the goodness of Rebecca, Martha and Elizabeth.

Danforth questions Proctor's motives and reveals that Elizabeth has informed the officials that she is pregnant. The laws concerning witchcraft prohibit the taking of the blameless unborn child, and effectively give Elizabeth a reprieve of a year. Proctor refuses to abandon his friends and insists on presenting the proof he has brought. Giles accuses Putnam of causing his daughter, Ruth, to accuse another of witchery so that Putnam could gain the land that person would forfeit for engaging in witchcraft. However, Giles refuses to name the witness who saw Putnam encouraging his daughter and is jailed for contempt.

The girls who have been making the accusations are summoned and, under questioning, Abigail admits to dancing in the woods, but nothing more. Proctor then makes the decision to reveal the nature of their relationship, thereby sacrificing his good name to protect and save his friends. Danforth sends for Elizabeth, to corroborate John's story, but she fails to do so because she doesn't realize he has admitted adultery and she is trying to protect his reputation. Hale begins to defend the Proctors, pointing out that it was only natural for Elizabeth to try to protect her husband, but Abigail and the others go into their act, screaming that Mary Warren has "sent her spirit out" and is tormenting them. Unable to withstand the ruthless assault of the other girls, and fearing that she will be convicted of witchcraft and condemned, Mary caves in and turns on Proctor, accusing him of being "the Devil's Man." Proctor is arrested, and Hale storms out of the proceedings, denouncing them.