courage for Elizabeth to lie to the most powerful authority in the province.Courage has been defined as "being scared and doing it anyway." This describes Elizabeth's behavior when she is arrested. Although obviously scared to death, she promises to fear nothing. And then, as if to prove it, perhaps to herself as well as the others in the room, she says, "Tell the children I have gone to visit someone sick." This may be whistling in the dark--talking about everyday things to keep her fear from overwhelming her--but the fact that she can think of her children at a time like this is impressive.But Elizabeth's courage is not blind--she's intelligent as well as brave. When she hears that her name has been "somewhat mentioned" in court, she realizes Abigail is out to get her. It won't be enough for John to talk to the court about Abigail; he will have to go to Abigail herself. From one tiny due, Elizabeth figures out Abigail's whole monstrous plan to take her place with John. And she instantly knows what to do about it.After her arrest, and all through her trial, Elizabeth refuses to confess to witchcraft, even though this lie would save her life. This is brave and noble. But as soon as she discovers she is pregnant, she doesn't hesitate to tell her jailers immediately, knowing that this fact will probably spare her, at least for a while.And in the last act Elizabeth shows not only wisdom but great love for her husband when he is agonizing over whether to confess. He asks her what he should do. She knows he is so confused that he will probably do whatever she says. She desperately wants him alive, especially now that a baby's on the way. But she refuses to choose for him: "As you will, I would have it," leaving him free to decide his own destiny. But she does give him her blessing:Only be sure of this, for I know it now:Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it.^^^^^^^^^^THE CRUCIBLE: ABIGAIL WILLIAMSIf there is a "bad guy" in The Cruc...
