He asked for more weight so that he could die a Christian in the law so that his children could keep his land. However, the figurative meaning is much more significant. The heavy stones, notice the use of the word heavy here, represent the unlimited power, control, seriousness, cruelty, and hardness of a theocracy.
Who asks for more weight in The Crucible?
After two days, Corey was asked three times to enter a plea, but each time he replied, “More weight,” and the sheriff complied. Occasionally, Corwin would even stand on the stones himself.
WHO said more weight in The Crucible and why?
Elizabeth will ultimately lie on her husband’s behalf, condemning them both and making his earlier comment that she will never fail to tell the truth a lie. Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. “More weight,” he says.
Who’s last words were more weight in The Crucible?
In punishment, Corey was pressed with great stones, still refusing to confess to witchery. Corey died, still in defiance, uttering as his last words, “More Weight.” Miller assigns great significance to Corey’s words for he uses them in Act Four at a decisive moment for his protagonist, John Proctor.
What are Corey’s final words?
In the literature about Giles Corey’s tortuous death, there is reference to his famous last words, “more weight.” These words were uttered as a final attempt to expedite his death while also showing that not even imminent death could convince him to go to trial.
Was Giles Corey a real person?
Corey, an 81-year-old man who lived in the southwest corner of Salem village, stood accused of witchcraft, and rather than plead guilty or innocent to the charges as other members of his community had done, he resolved to stand mute in the face of the accusations.
What is John’s excuse for confessing?
What is John’s excuse for confessing? He has already spoiled his name; he will not be condemning his already blackened soul by telling another lie. He is not a good man, and nothing is made worse by this lie.
Who accused John Proctor of witchcraft?
Mary Warren, the twenty-year-old maid servant in the Proctor house–who herself would later be named as a witch–accused Proctor of practicing witchcraft. It is believed by some sources that when Mary first had fits Proctor, believing them to be fake, would beat her out of them.
Why did Giles say more weight?
Instead of giving the court a name, exactly what they wanted from him, which would free himself while causing another man to hang, Giles mutters only “more weight” as he is crushed to death by heavy stones.
How does Elizabeth know John cheated on her?
Elizabeth learned that John cheated on her with Abigail and has lost trust in John. Why has Mary Warren been in Salem instead of helping Elizabeth in the Proctor house as she should be?
Who is Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible?
Ezekiel Cheever was a real-life American tailor who lived in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials. He served as Chief Clerk of the Salem court, as well as drawing up warrants for the accused. In 1953, Arthur Miller wrote a play called The Crucible about the witch trials, turning Cheever into a minor antagonist.
Did Parris ever change?
From Act 1 to Act 4 in The Crucible, Reverend Parris, a timid pastor, transforms from a confused man trying to conceal his identity to the towns “gossiper)” to have his name remain unimpeachable. For instance, at the beginning of the play he was blaming Abigail for Betty being “asleep” and not waking up (Miller 1129).
Who is the stubborn Salem judge in the crucible?
Governor Danforth represents rigidity and an over-adherence to the law in The Crucible. Danforth is clearly an intelligent man, highly respected and successful. He arrives in Salem to oversee the trials of the accused witches with a serene sense of his own ability to judge fairly.
How does Miller describe Reverend Hale?
In an extended commentary on Hale in Act I, Miller describes him as “a tight-skinned, eager-eyed intellectual.
Does Rebecca confess to witchcraft?
Rebecca herself does not confess to witchcraft and stands by as a witness to Proctor’s “confession” and ultimate denial of his confession (p. 129-134).
