Climax (Act Three of The Crucible)
Literature Review
In Act Two, you began to see how the relationships and conflicts among the characters play a role in developing the plot and driving the tension toward some, as of yet, unknown peak. On top of the all-encompassing conflict of the witch trials, you started to see more internal conflicts develop within the characters. Did you notice any internal conflicts developing in the play that will affect the play's outcome? In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to explore the inner conflict that has developed within four characters of the play. Click the player button to begin.
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Climax
The tension has begun mounting as the rising action unfolds in Act Two. Now, Act Three of The Crucible will present the intense climax of the play. The climax is the point of highest tension in a play; it is the moment of change for the protagonist. If the play is more of a comedy, the events of the plot change for the better. If the play is more tragic, as is The Crucible, the climax signals a turning point from which things go from bad to worse for the protagonist. Whether the change is good or bad, it is from this point that there is no return, no going back. For the audience, the eventual resolution of the play begins to take shape once the play has reached the climax and the fate of the protagonist is sealed.
Begin reading Act Three of The Crucible. Read from the beginning of the act to the point where John Proctor and Mary Warren enter the courtroom with Giles Corey. Pay very close attention to the "evidence" presented and the way language is used to trap and trick the characters. Does the evidence presented prove anything? How should John Proctor, Giles Cory, and Francis Nurse petition the court to convince the court of their wives' innocence?
Plot Development and Irony
The setting of Act Three is in the town's meeting house. It is interesting to note that the meeting house is the place where Puritans worshiped every week. There was not a separate church and legislative building. Do you see it as somewhat ironic that the "place of worship" becomes the setting for the mockery of judicial injustice carried out in the witch trials?
In the opening scene of Act Three, much of what is stated by the characters in the court is twisted or taken out of context. Miller makes very liberal use of irony throughout this act not only with the dialogue but also with the staging and stage directions.
Giles (to Parris): I am asked the question, and I am old enough to answer it! To Danforth, who impresses him and to whom he smiles through his strain: My name is Corey, sir, Giles Corey. I have six hundred acres, and timber in addition. It is my wife you be condemning now.
The irony of this situation is that Corey, whom Miller has portrayed as litigious and concerned with his material wealth, is still capable of being awed by—even smiling at— Deputy Governor Danforth despite his stress and strain over having his wife accused of witchcraft.
Consider the dialogue below:
Hathorne's Voice: Now, Martha Corey, there is abundant evidence in our hands to show that you have given yourself to the reading of fortunes. Do you deny it?
Martha Corey's Voice: I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is.
Hathorne's Voice: How do you know, then, that you are not a witch?
Martha Corey's Voice: If I were, I would know it.
Here you can see exactly how the judge seeks to entrap the witness in language. These word traps will be used as evidence against the characters.
Finish reading Act Three of The Crucible. As you read, think about the use of irony and language and how it is used to carry out such an incredible miscarriage of justice. How was it possible for so many people to be found guilty of witchcraft without any concrete evidence supporting their guilt and with so much evidence to the contrary?
Use of Irony in Building Climax
In drama, the place the characters stand on the stage can be left completely to the director, or it can be stated in the stage directions. In Act Three, there is one very important place where staging, or the movement and placement of the characters, is of importance in creating more conflict and adding to the climax of the play. Take a moment to explore the rising action that culminates in the climax of The Crucible. In this interactivity, click the NEXT button on the bottom of the player to advance to the next event and read more about how different uses of irony help to build dramatic tension in The Crucible. Click the player button to begin.
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Climax and Plot Development Review
What have you learned about the climax and plot events in The Crucible? Now that you have explored plot development, irony, and the climax in The Crucible, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Read each question, then select the appropriate answer. Click the player button to get started.