The story unfolds very cautiously and by the end of Ac two, it is already noticeable what the strengths and weaknesses of two of the play's main characters, John and Elizabeth are. Elizabeth is a woman of more weaknesses than strengths. Her greatest weakness even though she is supremely virtuous, she is very cold "...hurt and very cold..." She seems to hold herself back a lot which may have been a cause of her husband's unfaithfulness. Elizabeth does not respond well to her husband's affectionate moves"... he goes to her, kisses her. She receives it..." The fact that Elizabeth only receives the kiss and does not return it proves she is not a warm, loving wife and wife does not have as much sexual appetite as John has. Another weakness is that she clings on to the affair John had with her former servant Abigail and continues to hunt him with it "... you were alone with her..." When Elizabeth ask this question, it is clear that she does not trust John and is still suspicious of him. She shows this in her actions by constantly turning away from him "... her back is turned to him..." This tells me that she is trying to avoid confronting him. "...She doesn't want friction, yet she must ..." Elizabeth cannot let go of this past (John and Abigail) "...you forget nothing and forgive nothing..." By John saying this, it indicates Elizabeth is hard to please. She seems to be numb to her husband's desperate try to please her.
             John Proctor however, appears to be a man of more strength than weaknesses. He is respected and known. Even though he did commit adultery, he has acknowledged what he did is wrong and wants to make things better "... I have not moved from here to there without I think not to please you..." This is a genuine that John is over it and trying to make ammends for it. John is also at the advantage of using Elizabeth's coldness as ...