plz help
2007-10-17 18:08:46 · 3 answers · asked by xmissxtiffiex 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
The play is set during the hysteria of the Salem witch trials. During those trials EVERYONE was ready to point the finger to keep the blame off of them. Do you know what tests they performed to find a witch? They would tie a rock to them and throw them in the lake. If they died then they weren't a witch and if they floated or survived they were a witch and promptly burned on a stake. That is one of the more mild tests. So you can probably imagine why someone would be quick to shift the accusation away from themselves.
2007-10-18 09:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by Meghanpotpie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personal vendettas were usually the cause of not just believing someone was a witch, but usually the leveling of the accusation itself. This happened with frightening frequency all over Europe as well. That's why some witch hunters had special pins to prick the "witch" with that would simply retract and not prick the accused at all. They were paid and paid well not to determine whether or not someone was a witch, but to "prove" that they were. This had the effect of clearing the way for the accused person's conviction and execution so that those who leveled the accusations would be free of a personal enemy or able to obtain the victim's personal goods/property.
2016-05-23 07:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by helga 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Putnams are poised to take over lots of farms and have their wealth grow significantly if property owners are successfully tried for witchcraft.
2007-10-17 21:30:17 · answer #3 · answered by DramaGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋