Act III — The Nature of an Invisible Crime
from The Crucible
Written by Arthur Miller
Judge Danforth explains the legal logic of the Salem witch trials to Reverend Hale. He argues that because witchcraft is an 'invisible crime,' the court must rely solely on the testimony of the victims rather than traditional legal defense.
DANFORTH: In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime. Therefore, we must rely upon her victims—and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the
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Mary Warren's Accusation
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Act II — The Accusation of Sarah Good
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Mary Warren, a young servant caught up in the Salem witch trials, hysterically describes how she felt a 'misty coldness' in court and realized Sarah Good was bewitching her. She justifies the court's actions to John Proctor by explaining that the woman could not recite her Ten Commandments.
Act II — Mary Warren's Testimony
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Mary Warren returns from the Salem court and hysterically describes how she became convinced of Sarah Good's witchcraft. She explains the physical sensations of the 'curse' and the evidence that led to the woman's condemnation.
Act II — Mary Warren's Testimony
from The Crucible
Mary Warren returns from the Salem court and describes the physical sensations of hysteria she experienced while accusing Sarah Good. She explains how the court trapped the old woman by forcing her to recite the Ten Commandments.
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