Characters

John Proctor

John Proctor is a local farmer and the protagonist of the play. He is a strong-willed, principled man who values honesty and integrity.
- Proctor is deeply troubled by his affair with Abigail Williams, which he sees as a grave moral failing. Throughout the play, he struggles with his guilt and the consequences of his actions.
- Despite this, he ultimately chooses to stand by the truth, even at the cost of his life, refusing to falsely confess to witchcraft. Proctor's journey is one of redemption, as he seeks to reclaim his integrity and honour by the play's end. "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!" – John Proctor

Elizabeth Proctor is John Proctor's wife, known for her moral rectitude and unwavering honesty. Her discovery of John's affair with Abigail has deeply strained their marriage, leading to a distance between them.
Despite her coldness, Elizabeth is fundamentally a good and forgiving person. Her arrest and subsequent trial for witchcraft test her faith and strength.
Ultimately, she supports John's decision to maintain his integrity, showing her deep love and respect for him, even as she faces his execution. "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him." – Elizabeth Proctor

Abigail Williams is the primary antagonist of the play. She is the 17-year-old niece of Reverend Parris and a former servant in the Proctor household. Abigail is manipulative, vindictive, and driven by a desire for power and revenge, particularly against Elizabeth Proctor, whom she sees as an obstacle to rekindling her affair with John.
Abigail's actions are central to the witch trials, as she leads the group of girls in making false accusations of witchcraft. Her lies and manipulations fuel the hysteria that consumes Salem, demonstrating her willingness to destroy others to achieve her goals. "Let either of you breathe a word... and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you." – Abigail Williams

Reverend Hale is a minister from the nearby town of Beverly and an expert in witchcraft. Initially, Hale arrives in Salem with confidence, believing he can identify and root out the evil afflicting the town.
However, as the trials progress and the injustices become apparent, Hale's faith in the court and his own beliefs is shaken.
He becomes a voice of reason, attempting to save those wrongly accused. By the end of the play, Hale is a broken man, guilt-ridden for his role in the trials and desperate to convince the condemned to confess falsely in order to save their lives. "I come to do the Devil's work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves." – Reverend Hale

Reverend Parris is the minister of Salem's church and the father of Betty Parris. He is a paranoid, self-serving, and insecure man who is more concerned with his reputation and position than with the truth or the welfare of his congregation.
Parris's fear of losing his authority in Salem leads him to support the witch trials, even as the accusations spiral out of control.
His primary concern is preserving his status, and he is willing to overlook the injustices occurring in Salem to maintain his power. "There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!" – Reverend Parris

Deputy Governor Danforth is the presiding judge at the witch trials. He is a stern, authoritative figure who believes firmly in the righteousness of the court's actions.
Danforth is convinced that he is doing God's work by prosecuting the accused witches, and he is unwilling to entertain the possibility that the trials are based on lies.
His inflexibility and commitment to the trials lead to the condemnation of many innocent people. Danforth represents the dangers of rigid adherence to ideology and the abuse of power. "A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." – Judge Danforth

Mary Warren is the Proctors' servant and one of the girls involved in the accusations of witchcraft. She is a timid and easily influenced character, caught between her fear of Abigail and her loyalty to the Proctors.
- Mary initially goes along with the other girls' accusations but later attempts to reveal the truth. However, under pressure from the court and the other girls, she ultimately recants her confession and accuses John Proctor of being aligned with the devil.
- Mary's weakness and inability to stand up to the other girls underscore the theme of fear and its power to corrupt. "You're the Devil's man!" – Mary Warren

Rebecca Nurse is an elderly, respected woman in Salem, known for her kindness and piety. She is a voice of reason in the community and is highly regarded by many.
Despite her reputation, she is accused of witchcraft due to the Putnams' jealousy and bitterness. Rebecca's steadfast refusal to confess to a crime she did not commit, even to save her own life, makes her one of the play's most moral characters.
Her execution highlights the tragic consequences of the hysteria and the loss of true virtue in the face of fear. "There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits. I fear it, I fear it." – Rebecca Nurse

Giles Corey is an elderly, strong-willed farmer in Salem. He is known for his tenacity and frequent involvement in lawsuits.
- Corey's suspicion of the witch trials grows as they progress, particularly after his wife, Martha, is accused of witchcraft. In an effort to protect his land and integrity, Giles refuses to enter a plea when charged with contempt of court.
- As a result, he is pressed to death with heavy stones. His final words, "More weight," show his defiance and his determination to die with his principles intact, making him a symbol of resistance against the corruption of the trials.