He even gets mad at her, saying that he “will not have [her] susp[ect] any more” (Miller, 54). To stop the reminders his wife gives him of his infidelity, he upbraids her. Elizabeth becomes the innocent victim of Proctor’s wrongdoing. Guilt affects others, not only the sinners. Furthermore, Proctor is guilty of dishonesty because he is the only person who knows that Abigail’s allegations of witchcraft are fraudulent but he is too afraid for his reputation to tell the truth and risk exposing his adultery.
When people find out that the king is murdered they accuse the guards. For this reason, Macbeth kills the guards because he is afraid that they would deny killing King Duncan. As Macbeth is crowned king, Banquo starts to suspect that Macbeth cheated to earn his title. When Macbeth knows that Banquo suspects him, he hires murderers to kill him and his son, Fleance. Not only was he terrified that Banquo would expose him, but he was afraid that Banquo’s line would all become kings in the future, as according to the witches’ prophecies.
Eventually he makes an attempt, through Mary Warren’s testimony, to name Abigail as a fraud without revealing crucial information about the affair. When this fails, he confesses calling Abigail a “whore”, he then realises that it’s too late and matters have gone too far, not even the truth can stop what Abigail has caused. John’s confession leads to his conviction as a witch. The only way John and his wife can live is if he signs a confession to adultery
Parris feared that Abigail’s increasingly questionable actions and the hints of witchcraft surrounding his daughter’s coma will threaten his reputation and force him from the pulpit. “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character.”(12) His pride makes him cover up the truth about what he saw in the woods. Parris could have said something about what the girls where doing so people would not have assumed that the girls’ sickness was due to witchcraft. John Proctor also wanted to keep his good name from being destroyed. Early in the play, he had a chance to put a stop to the girls’ accusations, but his desire to preserve his reputation keeps him from testifying against Abigail.
As soon as Lady Macbeth sees weakness in her husband, she gives Macbeth a piece of advice that sets the tone for most of the play; “False face must hide what the false heart doth/ know.” (1.7.95-96). Lady Macbeth wants him to deceive everyone into believing that they had nothing to do with the murder, and were completely innocent. When Lennox and Macduff arrive at Macbeth’s door, it is very noticeable that Macbeth is feeling guilty and regretful. However, Lady Macbeth diverts all attention away from
He asks Reverend Hale to resolve his curiosity about what his wife Martha might be reading behind his back, but instead rouses the town’s suspicion of Martha being a witch. He says to Hale, “I never said my wife were a witch, Mr. Hale; I only said she were reading books!” (71). Giles feels guilt for being responsible for his wife’s imprisonment and tries to defend her in court. Consequently, Giles refuse to give the name of the man who can substantiate his claim that Putnam is killing his neighbors for their land. If he gives the name, he would have to take on the guilt of selling out his friend.
As the play continues he later realizes the blasphemy of the court's accusations and tries his best to stop the trial and saved all the innocent people. In “The Crucible”, Reverend Hale undergoes a complete change in his charisma, belief of the law, and is soon convinced that the witchcraft was a hoax through his actions, words, and how people perceive him. Revered Hale significant actions play a big role in how he changes throughout the story. In the beginning of the play Parris asks Hale to come to Salem and see if Parris’s daughter has been possessed by a spell. As Hale arrives in Salem he “appears loaded down with a half of dozen of heavy books… are weighted with authority” (34- 36) revealing that Hale has prepared himself for any setbacks that may occur by having reliable sources to guide him.
showing us that the thought of murder was already at the back of his mind. Macbeth could not have been as honourable and trustworthy as people believed him to be, given that if he had had but a shred of integrity, murder would have been the last thing on his mind. Macbeth is given prophecies by the witches and he is encouraged to act on these suggestions by Lady Macbeth, but he ultimately makes the choices to murder Duncan, Macduff's family and Banquo. The fact that Macbeth feels guilt, fears being caught and fears losing the throne reveals he has hidden anxiety. If Macbeth was truly at the mercy of fate, following the prophesise that was “set out”, he would have no difficulties in carrying out his crimes.
Macbeth, on the other hand, does not like a possible future by the withes prophecy: that he will kill his King. This shows the difference between Lord and Lady Macbeth. It is only after much nagging and cajoling from his wife that he decides to go through with it, and then half heartedly. His wife uses insults, demeans him, and makes him feel less than a man, so Macbeth finally gives in. While Lady Macbeth is the one who sets the ball rolling, it was the witches that put the ball at the top of the hill.
Although his wife, Elizabeth Proctor is nice enough that can forgive his sin, John Proctor has his mind set that he will not confess to anyone else, in fear of running his good name. The affair between John and Abigail causes the start of chaotic witchery and accusation. Abigail became very jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. John realizes there is only way to stop all the witch hysteria in Salem, and that would be to confess adultery. He knows what he should do, but he continues to deny, until his wife is put into jail.