The Crucible Lies and Deceit Quotes

Ask Abby, Abby sat beside me when I made it.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 2. Mary Warren admits to making the poppet doll herself. Speaking to Hale, she says that Abigail witnessed her sewing the poppet in court and sticking the needle into it for safekeeping. This casts doubt on Abby’s claim that Elizabeth’s spirit stabbed her with a needle while eating at Parris’s house. It suggests Abby stabbed herself with a needle in order to frame Elizabeth, knowing that the doll would be in the Proctor house at the time.

And yet silent, minister? It is fraud, you know it is fraud! What keeps you, man?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 2. After Giles Corey’s wife Martha and now Elizabeth are accused of witchcraft, Giles attacks Hale over his silence. He brands the women’s accusers – the group of young girls led by Abigail – as frauds. Hale, according to the stage directions, is said to be "in a fever of guilt and uncertainty" when the marshal arrives to arrest Elizabeth, Martha having been taken away a little earlier.

GILES: They be tellin’ lies about my wife, sir. I – .
DANFORTH: Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?
GILES: Your Excellency, we mean no disrespect for – .
DANFORTH: Disrespect indeed! It is disruption, Mister. This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. When Giles Corey tries to tell the court that people are lying about his wife Martha being a witch, Judge Danforth immediately shuts him down. Displaying both arrogance and intolerance, he accuses Giles of disrupting the highest court in the province. Danforth refuses to allow Giles make a submission in defense of his accused wife, showing he has already made up his mind. This shows Danforth abusing his powers as a judge.

FRANCIS: We have proof of it, sir. They are all deceiving you.
HATHORNE: This is contempt, sir, contempt!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Francis Nurse attempts to convince the court that the girls claiming possession by witches are frauds. He and John Proctor make a bid to present "proof," a deposition by Mary Warren supporting this. But a biased and vindictive Hathorne, who is more prosecutor than impartial judge, tries to silence Francis. He charges contempt, a tactic he uses in court to deny evidence favorable to the accused people. This shows the intolerance of the Salem judges towards any citizen challenging their corrupt court. We have also here an example of dramatic irony, since the audience knows that Francis is speaking the truth.

I tell you straight, Mister – I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth shows his bias as a judge when he declares his belief in the children and their stories about people being in league with the Devil. He is speaking to Proctor, who has come to court to present evidence as to the innocence and good character of his wife and other accused women. Danforth’s guilty until proven innocent approach to law leaves little opportunity for people to convince him otherwise and find true justice. We also see an example of dramatic irony, since the audience knows that Abigail and the girls are lying to the court and the "marvels" they have presented are false.

But if she say she is pregnant, then she must be! That woman will never lie, Mr. Danforth.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Here John Proctor responds to Judge Danforth’s skepticism about Elizabeth’s claim that she is pregnant. This would earn her a reprieve from hanging at least until her baby is born. John assures Danforth that his wife never lies. His words turn out to be ironic, because Elizabeth will lie to the court about John’s cheating with Abigail in order to protect his reputation.

My proof is there! If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property – that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Giles Corey interrupts the court proceedings shouting that Thomas Putnam is getting his daughter to accuse neighbors of witchcraft. This is so that the wealthy Putnam can buy their abandoned land, Giles reveals. He hands in a deposition as "proof." This quote shows the greed of landowner and opportunist Putnam who vindictively has people falsely accused in order to gain their property. It also speaks to his desire for power.

The proof is there! I have it from an honest man who heard Putnam say it! The day his daughter cried out on Jacobs, he said she’d given him a fair gift of land.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Giles Corey tells the court that Thomas Putnam is exploiting the witch trials in order to acquire vacant land of the accused at a good price. Putnam was overheard by an "honest man" saying that his daughter Ruth accused George Jacob of witchery in order to give her father a "fair gift" of land. In his hunger for more land and power, it seems there is little Thomas Putnam won’t stoop to, including having people falsely accused and hanged for witchcraft.

DANFORTH: Sit you down, children. Your friend, Mary Warren, has given us a deposition. In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, nor any manifest of the Devil. She claims as well that none of you have seen these things either. Now, children, this is a court of law. The law, based upon the Bible, and the Bible, writ by Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft, and describe death as the penalty thereof. But likewise, children, the law and Bible damn all bearers of false witness. Now then. It does not escape me that this may be devised to blind us; it may well be that Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan, who sends her here to distract our sacred purpose. If so, her neck will break for it. But if she speak true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier with you. Abigail Williams, rise. Is there any truth in this?
ABIGAIL: No, sir.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth emphasizies his authority over the "children," explaining that Mary Warren has submitted a deposition claiming their evidence of seeing spirits and the Devil to be a lie. Danforth and his court have invested a great deal in the girls’ stories being true. While he may now be having his doubts, he is not going to easily dismiss their testimony on the word of one who has recanted. He may wish to be seen to be "fair," but his speech shows bias as he suggests that Mary may be lying on the instructions of Satan and threatens her with hanging. It is ironic that Mary’s honesty is characterized in this way. When Danforth asks Abigail if what Mary says in her deposition is true, Abby has little problem lying and answering "no."

Your Excellency, this is a trick to blind the court!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. We have another example of injustice when Reverend Parris tries to turn Mary Warren’s evidence of not seeing spirits against her. Mary has now confessed that she was only pretending earlier about seeing spirits choke her in court and fainting. Asked to pretend she is being attacked now and faint, she is unable to, prompting Parris to make this comment. Every attempt to present evidence helpful to the defense of the witchcraft accused is thwarted by those in positions of authority.

I – I cannot tell how, but I did. I – I heard the other girls screaming, and you, Your Honor, you seemed to believe them, and I – It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I – I promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Mary Warren admits to the court that she and the other girls were lying when they said they saw spirits. It began as sport, she says, and then when the whole world cried spirits, she thought she saw them but didn’t. Mary provides an insight into how fear, peer pressure and mass hysteria combine to ignite a chain reaction in court of girls screaming that they could see spirits.

DANFORTH: Is it possible, child, that the spirits you have seen are illusion only, some deception that may cross your mind when – ?
ABIGAIL: Why, this – this – is a base question, sir.
DANFORTH: Child, I would have you consider it – .
ABIGAIL : I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a – .
DANFORTH: Child, I do not mistrust you – .
ABIGAIL: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Abigail puts on an impressive display of her power in the witch trials court, when she manipulates and openly threatens Judge Danforth. The powerful head of the court is landed with a headache when Mary Warren provides evidence that the girls were all lying when they spoke of seeing spirits and the Devil. But when Danforth questions Abigail on her truthfulness, warning that "to God every soul is precious and His vengeance is terrible on them that take life without cause," she shows who is the real power in the courtroom. Launching into a rant about being attacked by demonic spirits, the master manipulator threatens Danforth with accusations of being in league with the Devil. Abby knows that if anyone poses a threat to her, all she has to do is accuse them of witchcraft. She is also aware that Danforth and the court rely on her testimony to prove that those accused of witchcraft are guilty.

ABIGAIL: Oh, Heavenly Father, take away this shadow!
Without warning or hesitation, Proctor leaps at Abigail and, grabbing her by the hair, pulls her to her feet. She screams in pain. Danforth, astonished, cries, "What are you about?" and Hathorne and Parris call, "Take your hands off her!" and out of it all comes Proctor’s roaring voice.
PROCTOR: How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Abigail cries to Heaven, as she and the other girls pretend to shiver in the court because Mary Warren is causing a cold wind. Tired of Abby’s manipulation and lies, John Proctor decides to expose her and shouts back that she is a whore with no right to call Heaven.

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.

A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you, sir, I beg you – see her what she is…She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. John Proctor exposes the chief witness in the witch trials court as a spurned young woman seeking vengeance on his wife. His angry outburst comes when he becomes frustrated with the lies Abigail Williams is telling the judges. A person of high standing in the community, Proctor sacrifices his respectability to confess to a lustful liason with former servant Abby. Hoping to save his wife Elizabeth from Abby’s witch accusations, he comes clean and outs Abby as a vengeful and jealous fraud wishing to be the next Mrs. Proctor. John has at last honored Elizabeth’s wish to reclaim his integrity by letting Abigail know that their affair is over for good. But he is a little late, Elizabeth has been arrested for witchcraft and her fate lies in the hands of the court.

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 – .

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Elizabeth is asked by Danforth what caused her to dismiss Abigail from her service. She tries to evade Danforth’s question. Rather than admit to her husband’s infidelity with Abigail she covers up for John. In her desire to protect him, she takes the blame herself by speaking of how she was sick after having a baby and thought her husband was losing interest in her. But far from saving John, her lie ironically ends up hurting both herself and him more.

I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the highroad.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Elizabeth is questioned in court after John confesses to his affair with Abigail Williams. She is asked about Abigail Williams by Judge Danforth. Rather than disclose her husband’s infidelity, she tries to protect him by lying and portraying herself as the irrational wife who gave Abby her walking papers because of jealousy. There is tragic irony in Elizabeth’s action, as it ends up making the situation worse for herself and John.

DANFORTH: Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!
ELIZABETH: No, sir.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. When Danforth asks Elizabeth Proctor about her husband’s adultery, she lies to the court in order to protect John and his reputation. She denies that he is a lecher, not knowing that he has already confessed to being one. The audience is aware of John’s confession, making this an example of dramatic irony.

Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell; I beg you, stop now before another is condemned! I may shut my conscience to it no more – private vengeance is working through this testimony! From the beginning this man has struck me true. By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now, and I pray you call back his wife before we – .

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Hale realizes now what John Proctor had known all along, that Abigail’s witchcraft accusations are nothing but lies driven by a desire for vengeance. The witch-hunter, misguided and naive at first, is riddled with guilt and seeks redemption for wrongly condemning people to die. He shows his moral integrity in this plea to Danforth by trying to put a stop to the witchcraft court proceedings. The "natural lie" referred to is Elizabeth’s lie that John is not a lecher.

I believe him! (Pointing at Abigail): This girl has always struck me false! (Abigail, with a weird, wild, chilling cry, screams up to the ceiling.)

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Reverend Hale says this to the court, as Abigail launches into another of her fraudulent courtroom dramatics in which she claims to see demonic spirits. He expresses confidence in Proctor’s testimony, but brands Abby as false. Like Proctor, Hale is a tragic hero. Prideful and naive, he blindly puts his faith in the accusations of Abby and the girls at first. Then he realizes that the justice system in Salem is corrupt and Abby is a manipulating liar.

ABIGAIL: You will not! Begone! Begone, I say!
…MERCY LEWIS: It’s on the beam! Behind the rafter!
DANFORTH: Where!
ABIGAIL: Why – ? Why do you come, yellow bird?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Abigail screams up to the ceiling of the courtroom, pretending to see a demonic bird on the rafters. The other girls follow her head. Abby blames the bird on Mary Warren. This is a ruse to whip up hysteria and undermine Mary’s deposition stating that she and the girls lied when they claimed they saw the Devil. Abby is demonstrating her power over the girls by using the satanic bird to psychologically control them.
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