When analyzing literature from an archetypal perspective, you don't simply look at the behavior of the character in that piece of literature. Rather, when using archetypal theory, you connect the traits and actions of characters in the literary work, settings, surroundings, and situations to a familiar type of literary character. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the characters Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Reverend Hale exhibit common archetypal behavior and fit into a certain archetypal figure. The antagonist Abigail Williams is a very demonic and cruel character. She terrifies all those who go against her and will resort to any measure to get what she wants. For example, in the first act of The Crucible, Abigail and a group of girls are in the forest with the slave Tituba, trying to summon spirits and cast spells. Most girls wanted mundane things, like a boy liking them or something materialistic, but Abigail wanted something hard. He wished Elizabeth Proctor dead. Elizabeth had done nothing wrong to Abigail, she had not hurt or deceived Abigail. The only reason Abigail wanted Goody Proctor dead is because Abigail wanted to take her place. In that situation alone, the archetypal theory characterizes Abigail Williams as a diabolical figure. The devil figure is the antagonist who normally works to oppose what the protagonist or hero is doing (Melendez, “Archetype List”). The devil figure negatively influences the rest of the characters and stops at nothing to get what he wants. Following Abigail's behavior in the forest, the evil in her becomes even more evident throughout the play, supporting her characterization as a devil figure. In the first act, after Betty wakes up from her "illness", Betty says that shit... middle of paper... constantly searches for the truth even as her allegiances change over the course of the show. As a final point, Arthur Miller's The Crucible supports the archetypal theory and contains the recurring patterns that define the theory. Works CitedGolden, Carl. “The 12 Common Archetypes.” The 12 Common Archetypes. Np, nd Web. 03 December 2013.Guerin, Wilfred L. A handbook of critical approaches to literature. New York: Harper & Row, 1966. Print.Jung, C.G. and Marie-Luise Von Franz. Man and his symbols. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1964. Print. Latrobe, Kathy Howard., Carolyn S. Brodie, and Maureen White. The Dictionary of Children's Literature: Definitions, Resources, and Learning Activities. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2002. Print.Melendez, Mildred. "List of archetypes". Np, 2002. Web. December 5, 2013. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print.