Question

As Act I opens, “the rumor of witchcraft is all about.” What events have caused these rumors?

Answer 1

Answer:

Proctor tells Abigail that the affair is over, that it was a one time thing and that "I'll cut off my hand before I reach for you again". What does Abigail say about the rumors of witchcraft? She denies them completely to Parris and suggests he publicly deny all rumors.

Explanation:

Putnam is already emotional about the deaths of seven of her eight children, and she desperately wants to know the cause. ... Putnam is too ready to believe the worst, and so she allows her emotions to rule her. Further, name-calling and accusations heighten emotions and tension among the townspeople and lead to hysteria.At the beginning of Act Four, Tituba and Sarah Good are sitting in their cells when Marshal Herrick arrives holding a lantern. Sarah Good initially believes that Marshal Herrick is the devil, who has finally come to her prison cell to take her home to Barbados with Tituba.Tituba confesses because she realizes that it's a lot easier to put the blame on other people, and the only way she can avoid being hanged is to confess to witchcraft. ... Tituba says that the devil wanted her to kill Parris multiple times, but that she kept on refusing, even when the devil promised her return to Barbados.