Table of Contents
- 1 Why does Mary Warren give false testimony?
- 2 How is Mary Warren’s testimony discredited?
- 3 How and why does Mary Warren’s original testimony change at the end of Act III?
- 4 Why does Elizabeth lie to the court?
- 5 Why does Mary Warren change her testimony about Proctor and about pretending?
- 6 What does Mary Warren’s behavior in foreshadow about her testimony in court?
Why does Mary Warren give false testimony?
Making matters worse, Mary Warren fears Abigail and cannot act the way she did in court when she is told to faint on command. Mary understands that she is outmatched and the court fully supports Abigail, which is why she recants her testimony and accuses Proctor of colluding with Satan.
How is Mary Warren’s testimony discredited?
The courts have to rely upon the victims (people making the accusations) because witchcraft is an “invisible art.” Mary Warren’s testimony is destroyed in the end because she cannot do something. Because everyone still believes her witchcraft and lies.
Why is Mary Warren scared of telling the truth in court?
Mary Warren is afraid to tell the truth about the corrupt court proceedings because she fears Abigail’s vengeance and realizes that she will also be punished for falsely accusing innocent citizens of witchcraft. Mary Warren risks being sent to prison or hanged for her participation in Salem’s corrupt court.
How and why does Mary Warren’s original testimony change at the end of Act III?
As was mentioned in the previous post, Mary Warren changes her testimony because she is afraid of being accused of witchcraft. Toward the end of Act III, Mary Warren admits to Deputy Governor Danforth that the girls were faking in court. Danforth will think Mary tried to overthrow his court and severely punish her.
Why does Elizabeth lie to the court?
In this case, Elizabeth is lying because she does not want to hurt her husband and his good name. She does not want him to get in trouble for what he did. She has, in the past, been very angry at him for cheating on her, but now she seems to have forgiven him. That is why she lies and he tells the truth.
Why do you think Mary can’t pretend to faint now when she could during the trial?
Why can’t Mary faint on command? Hathorne asks Mary to faint in court because she can’t if she could faint in court, she should be able to pretend to faint now as well. Mary cannot handle the pressure. She is not strong and she is terrified by Abby.
Why does Mary Warren change her testimony about Proctor and about pretending?
Mary Warren changes her testimony and accuses John Proctor of witchcraft because she is afraid of Abigail Williams, whom Mary has indirectly accused of murder. When it seems clear that the magistrates are taking Mary’s honest testimony seriously, Abigail begins to accuse her of witchcraft.
What does Mary Warren’s behavior in foreshadow about her testimony in court?
Mary Warren’s behavior in act 2 foreshadows her lack of resolve and cowardly nature during her testimony in court. In act 2, Mary is emotional, displays false bravado, and is willing to do anything to avoid physical pain. Her inconsistency and insecure personality foreshadow her decision to turn on John Proctor.