Act Four
Setting is in the gallows and there are nooses around the necks of John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey. The doors beneath them are about to be dropped, but Betty Parris, Mary Warren, and Hale burst onto the platform
Hale: *shouting to the best of his abilities while out of breath* Stop!
Executioner: *looks surprised* I have court orders, Mr. Hale, I can’t stop this execution. *turns back to the levers to drop the doors*
Mary & Betty: *simultaneously* They’re innocent! We have proof!
Hale: They say it has all been made up. *villagers gasp and Thomas Putnam shoves through the crowd until he’s in front of the platform*
Putnam: You’re liars!
Betty: *confidently* We are not liars!
Mary: We rue what we’ve done; we falsely…show more content… *Ruth Putnam and Francis Nurse make their way to the platform; Putnam is extremely angry at Ruth and grabs her arm, jerking her towards him; Ruth resists and Putnam raises his hand to hit her. Hale steps in and rips Ruth out of Putnam’s grasp and pulls her behind him*
Hale: *furiously* You will not lay a hand on that child!
*Putnam charges towards Hale, but Hale puts his hand out directly into Putnam’s chest/right shoulder, which knocks him to the floor*
Ruth: I refuse to lie for you and help take away the lives of innocent people anymore Father! *Dansforth and the other judges arrive* Your honor, I have proof of these people’s innocence!
Dansforth: Bring forward this proof and speak nothing but the truth for I’m tired of this foolishness!
Mary: We were dancing in the forest while Tituba sang her Barbados songs and Abby asked her to make a charm to kill Goody Proctor and she drank blood!
Dansforth: Abigail is going to be arrested ---
Ruth: But that’s not all *voice begins to tremble* M-my father made me accuse Mr. Jacobs of witchcraft and my mother made me declare that Goody Proctor is a witch. *begins sobbing and Hale hugs her *
Dansforth: And what evidence do you have of John Proctor and Martha Corey’s…show more content… Dansforth: If the accused can recite the Lord’s prayer together with no mistakes, they’ll be released and Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, and Thomas Putnam will be arrested and tried. Now, recite the Lord’s Prayer!
Martha, Rebecca, and Proctor: *simultaneously recite the Lord’s Prayer flawlessly*
Dansforth: Release them and arrest Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, and Thomas Putnam!
Putnam: On what charge?
Dansforth: Murder, perjury, and coercion. *Putnam and Ann are taken away in chains* Mr. Hale, would you stay with Ruth until the trial is over?
Hale: I’ll gladly stay with all of the children.
Rebecca: *walks over to Ruth whom is still crying and makes her look at her while the court goes to the hall for the verdict* You were very brave today.
*The group goes to the hall for the verdict while Hale carries Ruth whom is still crying and Dansforth and the rest of the court come out while Ann and Putnam are lead to the gallows*
Hale: *looks around confused* Where’s Abigail?
Dansforth: She ran away. Come with me,