The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, takes place in the small village of Salem, Massachusetts during the 1692 witch trials. Reverend Parris's young daughter, Betty, lies in a coma-like trance in her bed. Several townspeople gather at the Reverend's home seeking answers to rumors about devil worship. Is Betty possessed by the devil or a victim of witchcraft? Earlier in the day, Reverend Parris caught Abigail Williams and a few other girls dancing in the forest with Tituba, a black slave from Barbados. He believes they were conjuring up spirits. Abigail is a major character in the story. Her parents were killed by Indians when she was very young. She was raised by her uncle, Reverend Parris; but, unfortunately, she grew up without much love or nurturing. Abigail Williams is responsible for many of the tragedies that occur during the witch trials because of her never-ending lies, bitter jealousy, and expert manipulation of others.
             Abigail is a skilled liar. In fact, almost every word that comes from her mouth is a lie. When Reverend Parris questions her about dancing and conjuring up sprits in the forest, she explains, "Uncle, we did dance, let you tell them I confessed it - and I'll be whipped if I must be. But they're speaking of witchcraft. Betty's not witched" (Miller 10). Abigail knows she will be hanged if the townspeople believe she practiced witchcraft; so, in order to protect herself, she admits to dancing but denies conjuring up sprits. Abigail continues to lie by falsely accusing some of the villagers of conspiring with the devil. In a hysterical outburst, she yells, "I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!" (Miller 50). Abigail knows exactly what she is doing. She lies about the villagers to protect herself from being punished, and she lies about the villagers to retaliate
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