HISTORIC CHARACTER vs. CRUCIBLE
1. Detailing of character:
WHO: Oliver Cromwell
WHERE: England
WHEN: Born on 25 April 1599. The action took place in 1640 (Crucible: 1692) and he
died in 1658
WHAT was he?
He was an outspoken Puritan who wanted to purify the church of Catholicism
He was a member of Parliament who wanted to replace monarchy with democracy
He was appointed Cavalry Commander and he trained 3k men (army against King)
WHY: He wanted to introduced peace with democracy because he mentioned in the movie that no one shall dress heavier than God, and also because he wanted to do what seemed right. He did this by overthrowing King Charles I. HOW?
PERSONALITY: Oliver was a very determined, ambitious, religious, powerful, strong built, kind and democratic to a certain point.
"His voice was sharp and untunable and his eloquence full of fervour" says Warwick, related by Peter Young in the book, Oliver Cromwell
2. DISCUSSION OF POWER:
CROMWELL AND PROCTOR
Cromwell was an army commander for 2 civil wars. His power was the army and with it, he opposed the King and overthrew him.
CRUCIBLE: Proctor a threat to Abigail just like Cromwell and threat to the King.
CROMWELL AND DANFORTH
- The King and a few other members of the Parliament refused to allow democratic government so they stayed with monarchy. Therefore, Cromwell used power to make a better life for the people.
CRUCIBLE: Cromwell and Danforth both beheld power and they used it for the good of "righteousness". Danforth does God's work and he does it faithfully: Pg 124 Crucible, "While I speak God's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. If retaliation is your fear, know this -1 should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and ...." So this shows how adamant and firmly planted, Danforth's feet are. Therefore, both acted upon what was right.
- King had power to dissolve parliament, Danforth had power to call it a real session in court... whatever, they said, went.
CROMWELL AND ABIGAIL
Abigail was one of the main 'victims' who played a big part in Crucible. Anything she said was supposed to be the truth, her age also played a part, but anyways, if anybody did anything to her, she'd accuse them of witchcraft and boom they'd be brought to court and tried.... Cromwell, anybody who used freedom of speech, he didn't like, even though he was trying to run a democratic gov.. like the time when his army started to rebel... BOTH HAD POWER ON OTHERS LIFE
KING CHARLES AND THE ANDOVER COURT
People who hated the court or Charles were both held in contempt ex. Giles Corey and Charles' nephew who didn't take care of Bristol. Both listened to what they wanted to... like court, "Oh, she danced in the woods eh??"... the naked part. Which is more important isn't even considered, but only is the dancing... no sense! Charles, talks against his power...
3. CHARACTER LINKS
1. REVERENT HALE VS SCOTTS
Did moral things of what was right (Rev: innocence/ Scotts: switch sides for their relgion)
2. CROMWELL VS. DANFORTH
Personality similar
Firm speech (video end)
Religion
Both had speech power, but Cromwell also had physical power from his army
3. GILES AND KING
Both knew way around the court
Both killed in God's law
4. Scotts and Mary Warren
Initially Scotts w/ Cromwell and Mary w/ Abigail
Scotts against Cromwell and Mary against Abigail (for just reasons)
Go back Scotts w/ Cromwell and Mary w/ Abigail (fearful of their lives)
5. PROCTOR AND CHARLES
Both refused to give up their dignity
Both well known around
Both cared for their family a lot
Both had sons to live up to their name
6. CROMWELL AND HALE
When Cromwell was Lord of England, both him and Hale wanted to restore peace
Both wanted to promote religion and Hale by capturing Lucifer.
7.
ELIZABETH PROCTOR AND QUEEN
Both had sons
Both survived death of their husbands
Both carried the Proctor or throne
4. OVERALL THEMES
1. POWER
We already talked about this (main characters being Danforth and Abigail and King
Charles and Cromwell.
2. GREED
-first Cromwell with Scotts
-told them he'd pass presbyterianism throughout England but he didn't carry out his promise
- Charles lured them by offering to better their lives
Resembles Parris: both do things for themselves, on the side that benefits them the most. Resembles Hale in that they were also siding with what was moral to them (religion in Scotts case). In Hale's case he turned for what he believed in most.
3. FEAR
- Abigail and Cromwell
Anybody against them, they'd cause trouble for their lives
Ex: Mary Warren and Scotts
Mary and other girls afraid of what Abigail will do to her and Scotts afraid of life
4. DISLOYALITY
If you see, that's how Cromwell obtained his power, by obtaining the King's army and then going against him. Same way, Mary Warren participated in the witchcraft in the woods and then went against all her friends about what happened there.
5. PRESSURE
Cromwell was under a lot of pressure because his proposed idea of democracy is what started all the commotion and action. In the same way, the night at the woods is what brought about all the pressure in Salem because everyone fears their lives.
Tituba was also under a lot of pressure to confess the truth just as Sir has to speak against the King in the court.