Superstition and witchcraft resulted in many being hanged or in prison. In the
seventeenth century, a belief in witches and witchcraft was almost universal. In Salem
Massachusetts where the witch trials take place many people who are suspicious is accused
of witchcraft and hanged. Arthur Miller wrote a play called The Crucible. It is based
on the Salem witch trials. The Salem witch trials change many peoples lives and even led
to death for some. The power of superstition and hearsay can distort from the truth.
Four ministers of Salem joined Matther, and they spent a whole day in the house of the
afflicted in fasting and prayer. The result of which was the delivery of one of the
family from the power of the witch. A niece and daughter of the parish minister at
Danvers were first afflicted. Their actions frightened other young people, who soon
showed the same symptoms, such as loss of appetite and sickness. A belief quickly
spread over Salem and throughout the state that evil spirits are being seen in Salem.
Terror took possession of the minds of nearly all the people, and the dread made the
affliction spread widely. "The afflicted, under the influence of the witchery, "admitted
to see the forms of their tormentors with their inner vision" (Miller 1082). and would
immediately accuse some individual seen with the devil. At times the afflicted and the
accused became so numerous that no one was safe from suspicion and its consequences.
Even those who were active in the prosecutions became objects of suspicion.
Revenge often impelled persons to accuse others who were innocent and when some
statement of the accused would move the court and audience in favor of the prisoner. "I
saw Goody Osborn with the devil" (Miller 1060). The accuser would declare that they saw
the devil standing beside the victim whispering the words in his or her ear. The absurd
statement would be believed by the judges. Some, terrified and with the hope of saving
their lives or avoiding the horrors of imprisonment, would falsely accuse their friends
and relatives, while others moved by the same hopes, would falsely confess themselves to
be witches. Many of the accusers and witnesses came forward and published denials of the
truth of their testimony, to save their own lives. Mr. Paris in the Danver family, who
was one of the most strong prosecutors of alleged witches, was compelled to resign his
charge and leave the country.
The acknowledgments of error and pleadings for mercy, could not restore the spirits of
those who are hanged, nor make changes for the pains' others had suffered. The trick had
prevailed in greatest desire more than six months, and it was not decreasing for more
than a year. During that time nineteen had been hanged, and Corey Giles who is killed
by the horrid process of pressing to death with stones because he would say if was guilty
or innocent. He continued to say "more weight" (Miller 1113); until he died. In doing
so, his family could keep his land. Others had been tortured or frightened into a
confession of guilt or imprisoned.
As one can see the power of superstition and the hearsay can distort the truth. The
Salem witch trials were horrifying and it changes many peoples lives. The belief in
witches did not end with the strange excitement. This strange episode in the history of
Massachusetts astonished the civilized world, and made an unfavorable impression on
others.
WORK CITED
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Ellen Bowler. ed. et al.
Literature the American Experiance. Englewood cliffs:
Prentice Hall, 1994.
|