what were three tests used to see if someone was a witch?

Question

in the crucible

Answer 1

Since you asked specifically about "The Crucible" -- and NOT for the actual Salem trials, or witchcraft trials in general

A) I cannot see that Miller's play includes three "TESTS" for witchcraft --- that is, specific things the court would do to the suspect, or ask the suspect to do to try to determine whether they were or might be a witch. So to fill out the list you'll probably have to add "evidence" (often provided by OTHERS, and so NOT an administered "test"). So, I'd suggest the following (the first two or which ARE tests):

1) (in)ability to recite the Ten Commandments in court.

In the play it is mentioned that Sarah Good "failed" this test. Actually, this was NOT a test used in witchcraft trials. Rather, the suspect was asked to recite the Lord's Prayer. The idea is that the witch's 'covenant with Satan' would PREVENT them from being able to pronounce it. This was NOT a test of memory! Miller appears to have substituted the Ten Commandments simply as a device to highlight how John Proctor is supposed to have "forgotten" -- in his actual life-- the commandment against adultery.

(Miller ALSO was trying to mock the whole business, so wasn't at all bothered by misrepresenting what really happened at Salem. In fact, the whole adultery business in the play is his own invention. For that matter, he REAL Abigail Williams was 11 the year of the trial, and John Proctor was about 60, and Miller had to alter these simple facts to make his invented incident that drives the whole story remotely plausible!)

2) checking the person for a "mark of the devil" (This sort of test WAS used in witchcraft trials -- and WHAT was regarded as a "mark" would vary. In some cases it was not the actual physical mark that was the point.. but one that seemed to behave in an unusual manner when poked, etc.)

3) "spectral evidence" -- not a test, but the testimony of accuser-S (I'm fairly sure it always had to be more than one, though again Miller doesn't seem much concerned with that nicety) that they had SEEN a spectral image of the accused trying to harm someone. . .

This WAS key to the actual Salem trials, including to their END (leading Puritan pastor Increase Mather and others urged that such evidence NOT be accepted for convicting someone.... and when it stopped being admitted the trials quickly came to an end).

4) the doll --portrayed as sort of a voodoo doll used by Elizabeth to hurt Abigail, though the play makes it clear the whole thing a setup by Abigail to frame Elizabeth. Again, "evidence", not a "test". (And again, no such thing happened in the actual Salem trials. Nor am I sure quite this sort of thing was EVER appealed to in New England or European witchcraft trials.)


B) several of the things listed in other answers, while they might sometimes have been used as tests/evidence of witchcraft, do NOT appear in that work

In particular, there is NO "swimming" of a suspect, nor even the proposal this test be performed. In fact, whatever other liberties Miller took with his history, THAT at least is accurate. "Swimming" had long been frowned upon in England for such purposes, and was NEVER used in New England witchcraft trials. Beyond that -- ALL the descriptions offered so far (even one with a web link) are TOTALLY mistaken about how this practice worked. The key thing they repeatedly (and carelessly) get wrong is this -- while it was generally true that someone who sank was regarded as innocent, the court did NOT simply let such a person drown!! Once it was CLEAR he/she would not float, they fished them out!

Also note that the person was usually tied up in such a manner as made normal swimming difficult if not impossible. Hence it was very unusual for someone to be ABLE to swim under these circumstances --MOST would start to sink and be fished out, and regarded as innocent.

This brings to light another overlooked feature of witchcraft trials historically -- the conviction rate was actually surprisingly low, and NOT just because of confessions. The same was true in other witchcraft trials in New England. Salem was the BIG aberration, NOT typical or to be expected, however much Miller and others wish us to believe this was simply how Puritanism worked. . . not quite.

Answer 2

"Several tests would be performed before the trial. Some of these are the floating test, a test where the midwives would check the "witch’ for any black marks on the body, and the Lord’s Prayer Test. During the sink or swim test, the suspect would be curled up in a non-breathable position with rocks tied to their ankles. If the victim sunk, it would obviously die, and the midwives would know it was not a witch, yet if the victim floated, there would be a trial held. After that test, an examination would be run. The midwives of the village would strip the accused of their clothing and examine them for any unusual marks. Grace Sherwood was tested for these marks, and the midwives found black marks in private areas of her body. The spots were pricked and did not bleed; therefore, it surely had to be a mark of the Devil. If all accusations were proved accurate at the trial, and the convicted witch denied the charges, then a last and final test would be run right there in front of the people. The Lord's Prayer. It would be said by the "witch," and if he/she stumbled or could not say it without shrieking, then there was only a matter of time before the hanging on Gallows Hill. "
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002349/salemtrial.html

The scales test. A suspected witch was weighed against a metal bound Bible on a huge set of scales. If the suspect weighed more than the Bible, he or she was free. The fault with this test was the fact that weights could be hidden inside the Bible, causing the suspect to weigh less.
Witchmarks. Unusual moles, birthmarks, or warts were thought to be the markings of a witch; a place where a witch’s familiar of the devil himslef would suckle to gain strength. If poked at with a pin, a witchmark would not bleed or cause pain. And we all know that if you carefully insert a pin under the skin or into a callus, it doesn’t bleed or cause pain.
The water test. Based on a pre-Christian belief that water was sacred, an accused witch would be bound left hand to right foot and right hand to left foot. If innocent, the suspect would sink and would survive from drowning if saved in time. If guilty, the water would reject them. Either way, you would be screwed because you could drown, or be found guilty and be hung.
http://www.morbidoutlook.com/lifestyle/spirituality/1999_00_arewitch.html

Answer 3

Since you've had a positive pregnancy there's a good chance you're pregnant! However, for best results, do another test in the MORNING. I realise you've taken some in the morning but you get best results in the morning as the hormone in your urine is at its highest in the morning. If you keep getting negatives you might not be pregnant. Book an appointment at your doctors and get a test done there or buy a different brand of pregnancy tests just incase. Good luck and congrats if you are pregnant!

Answer 4

I don't know all three but I do know that they tied the suspected witch up and threw her into the water, if she drowned she wasn't a witch.

Answer 5

well, i remember one way was to poke the suspect's back. if they found a scar that never healed or something like a cross or something, it meant they were a witch.
sry, i forgot, and i dont know that many -.-
o yea, what the guy said above me too! i remmeber that now!

Answer 6

if she had her rags
if she floated when tied up she was, if drowned she wasn't
if she spat or swallowed

Answer 7

If she were lighter than a duck.

Answer 8

drownig, burning, and stoning.