ime), but the judges had good reason for putting so much stock in "spectral evidence," as they called it. Listen to Deputy Governor Danforth, in Act III:In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims--and they do testify, the children certainly do testify.The only way to refute such logic is to deny the existence of witchcraft. But then you're left with the question, What is tormenting these children? And for that, no one has an answer.Mary also tells the Proctors that Goody Osburn will hang, but that Sarah Good will not, because she confessed. This is extremely important--the last act of the play revolves around this legal procedure. A bit later in this act, Proctor will say to Reverend Hale, "There are them that will swear to anything before they'll hang; have you never thought of that?" It's a question that will come to haunt him later, when the noose is threatening his own neck. It is already beginning to haunt Reverend Hale, as we will find out. Hale hasn't come in yet, but let's remember this question when he does.John Proctor's having enough trouble in his own house without worrying about the nonsense going on in the town. And now this serving girl refuses to stay at home as he commanded her to do. It's the last straw, and he goes for his whip. But Mary's an official of the court now, she says, and she'll not stand whipping any more. Besides, she saved Elizabeth's life today by saying she never saw any sign of witchcraft about the house. The whip comes down unused, and Mary Warren goes to bed.^^^^^^^^^^THE CRUCIBLE: ACT II, SCENE 3This last revelation casts a whole new light on John's relationship with Ab...
