I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John – only somewhat bewildered. Show This line is one of the first things Elizabeth says in the play, in the second act during her first scene. When her husband John tries to explain why he was alone with Abigail, Elizabeth turns cold and suspicious. She has not forgiven her husband for his affair despite claiming she has. Thematically, the idea of a “good man” and what good men do and do not do is an important one in this play. By the end, John will prove that he is a good man, as Elizabeth has always believed. It is her dearest hope, John, I know it. There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? There be a certain danger in calling such a name – I am no Goody Good that sleeps in ditches, nor Osburn, drunk and half-witted. She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John. In this moment in Act 2, Elizabeth is quicker than John to see that Abigail has figured out that she will be able to hurt – even kill – Elizabeth, believing she can take Elizabeth’s place at John Proctor’s side. Elizabeth understands Abigail’s desires and intent much better than anyone else in the play. She sees Abigail for who she is. Your Honor, I – in that time I were sick. And I – My husband is a good and righteous man. 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. And this girl – Elizabeth is forced in the middle of Act 3 to testify in court about her husband’s involvement with Abigail. Readers already know that John has confessed his adultery, but Elizabeth doesn’t. This moment shows her desperately trying to be honest in explaining why Abigail hates her but also trying to be fair to her husband, who she loves. Elizabeth will ultimately lie on her husband’s behalf, condemning them both and making his earlier comment that she will never fail to tell the truth a lie. Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. “More weight,” he says. And died… It were a fearsome man, Giles Corey. In Act 4, Elizabeth has to tell John that their friend, Giles Corey, has been killed because he was pressed for a confession to witchcraft. This moment shows Elizabeth’s admiration for Giles’ moral strength, which may end up inspiring John. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it no Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have read my own heart this three month, John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery… I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, no honest love could come to me! Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. As John struggles with whether to falsely confess to witchcraft in Act 4, Elizabeth makes a confession of her own, telling him that she knows she is at least a little to blame for his affair with Abigail, which has brought ruin on them both. In Act 2, John told her that her mercy could freeze beer. Here, she returns to the idea of “a cold wife” to agree with him. He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him. At the end of the play, John is taken to be hanged, along with Rebecca Nurse and other innocent Salem residents. Although Rev. Hale begs Elizabeth to go after John and get him to resign the confession, Elizabeth declines, acknowledging that John is, at last, what they both wanted him to be: a good man. Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3Summary Hale informs Danforth that none of the prisoners will confess. Hale asks Danforth to pardon the seven individuals condemned to die, or allow him more time to persuade them to confess. Danforth refuses. Hale summons Elizabeth. He asks her to convince Proctor to admit his guilt so that the court will not hang him. Elizabeth agrees to speak with him. Proctor and Elizabeth discuss their children and the child she carries. Proctor admits that he is considering confessing. He asks Elizabeth if she will respect him if he does. Elizabeth states that it is his decision, and she tells him that she has forgiven him for the affair. Elizabeth realizes that she bears part of the blame for the affair because she has been a cold, suspicious wife in response to her own insecurities. Analysis Scene 3 reveals a dramatic change in the relationship between Proctor and Elizabeth. They have learned to forgive one another and to communicate their feelings. Elizabeth realizes that she cannot blame Proctor entirely for the affair. Her insecurity prevented her from trusting Proctor and her lack of emotion created distance between them. When Elizabeth tells Proctor of her feelings, he sees that Elizabeth no longer condemns him. He can believe her when she tells him she has forgiven him; as a result, they manage to put the affair in the past and move on to consider the future. Proctor's decision to confess seems surprising at first. Considering his options, however, the choice seems less surprising. The Salem court states that it will find an individual innocent, provided that he or she is of "good conscience," but this is not the case. Danforth tells Hale in Act III, Scene 2 that witchcraft is "an invisible crime," one without witnesses. As a result, once an individual stands accused of witchcraft, he or she is guilty. The Salem court does not operate on the modern idea that an individual is innocent until proven guilty, but that an individual is guilty once accused. As a result, confession is the only way to plea-bargain for one's life. Proctor is guilty of witchcraft because of his charge against Abigail and Mary Warren's accusation. He can refuse to plead guilty and be hung for witchcraft, or he can confess the crime and live. Either way the court declares him guilty, but the confession shows repentance for the crime and saves him from execution. Both Proctor and Elizabeth realize that lying about the confession is a small price to pay for his life. They have finally reached a point where they can begin to rebuild their marriage, and they do not want to lose that opportunity now. Glossary floundering speaking or acting in an awkward, confused manner, with hesitation and frequent mistakes; here, meaning wavering, especially from indecision or doubt. quail to draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower. disputation a discussion marked by formal debate, often as an exercise; here, meaning an argument. What does Elizabeth tell John he must do?What does she urge John to do? Elizabeth tells John that fourteen people are in jail for witchcraft and that there is talk of hanging the accused. She wants John to go and tell Ezekiel Cheever that Abigail told him that witchcraft has nothing to do with the chaos in Salem.
What does Elizabeth say about John?I never thought you but a good man, John – only somewhat bewildered. This line is one of the first things Elizabeth says in the play, in the second act during her first scene.
What is Elizabeth's advice to John?Elizabeth tells John that he has to make his own choice on whether or not to confess. John says he chooses to have his life, and Hathorne assumes this means he will confess.
What 2 things does Elizabeth say she is unable to do for John?What two things does Elizabeth say she is unable to do for John? She cannot judge John or forgive him. Why does Danforth want a written confession from Proctor? It will travels the courts power and persuade others to confess.
|
What does Elizabeth say to John about what he should do?
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 ShotOnMac Inc.
