It is a whore!…I have known her, sir. I have known her.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 3. Proctor calls Abigail a whore in front of the entire Salem court. He confesses to Judge Danforth to having "known her" – having sexual relations with Abby. He admits to deceiving his wife Elizabeth by being unfaithful to her, a crime as well as a sin in Salem. In publicly owning up to this to save his wife and neighbors from Abby’s witchcraft accusations, Proctor shows great strength of character and integrity. The stage directions describe the tragic hero as "trembling, his life collapsing about him," as he makes this confession to the court.