Hidden Agenda

Abigail Williams, when we first meet her, seems a warm individual, caring for her cousin who has fallen ill.  Abigail, a pretty girl, is an orphan and the niece of Salem’s Reverend Parris.  Although, an orphan in that particular day and time I’m sure came with concern and caring from the community, and one could assume that being the Reverend’s niece came with a bit of prestige; Abigail Williams was a wicked woman.  It is not more clear or obvious than in Act Three.  Mary Warren, a friend of Abigail, has turned in a deposition to the honorable, yet easily swayed Deputy Governor Danforth, with coaxing from John Proctor.  Danforth has questioned Mary regarding her lies and testimony.  He is in befuddlement over the situation.  He asked Cheevers to retrieve the other girls.  He plans to get to the bottom of this situation!  The girls enter the room and face a cold and direct Danforth.  He has no time for girls games and is worried, maybe even looking for an excuse, or a hope, that his recent decisions have not been based on lies.  He is not allowed to be wrong.  He is not allowed to be made a fool.  He is the Deputy Governor!  Abigail, however, is the jilted, jealous and angry ex-mistress of John Proctor, Mary’s boss, and she will not be denied her hidden agenda of revenge.

 

He questions Abigail.  She meets his questions and stare with indignation.  She is angry that she is now being questioned regarding her testimony when, up to this point, everyone has taken her at her word.  Her secretly destructive, false word.  No one is to know this although they now suspect due to Mary’s deposition.  Abigail quickly turns on Deputy Governor Danforth.  “Let you beware, Mr. Danforth.  Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits?  Beware of it!  There is . . .”  Abigail does not waiver in her dealings with  these men of court or community.  She does not care that she has sent innocent people to their deaths.  This is a sport, a game.  She now has Danforth recoiling from her words.  It is clear that he fears her.  Bewitching most in the room with her act of fear and illusion, she quickly turns her attention from Danforth, as she knows she has him where she wants him, to Mary.  Mary, who is quacking with fear of Abigail and is becoming increasingly unsteady and uncertain of mind.  Abigail is well into her performance, the other girls following her lead, mocking Mary until she breaks and runs to Abigail out of fear and hysteria and points a guilty finger at Proctor.   Deputy Governor Danforth has bought every jot and tittle of Abigail’s performance.  Proctor will hang.  Abigail’s mission here is done.