In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," several characters resort to various tactics to save themselves from execution by hanging, as they are accused of witchcraft. Here are some specific actions taken by the characters:
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Confession: Many accused individuals choose to confess to witchcraft, even if it is false. For example, characters like Tituba and Sarah Good confess in order to save themselves, believing that admitting to witchcraft will spare them from execution.
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Accusation of Others: Some characters, in an attempt to protect themselves, start accusing others of witchcraft. For instance, Abigail Williams manipulates the situation by accusing Elizabeth Proctor, and later others, to deflect attention from herself and gain favor with the court.
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Feigning Madness: Characters like Tituba initially pretend to be possessed or act irrationally to garner sympathy from the authorities, which leads to their temporary reprieve from death sentences.
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Manipulating the Court: Abigail and other girls use the hysteria to their advantage by pretending to see spirits or experience fits, which leads to the court trusting their claims and ultimately allowing them to escape punishment while condemning others.
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Bribery and Influence: Characters may attempt to leverage their social standing or relationships with powerful individuals in Salem to gain clemency. This is more implicit, but those with influence, like Danforth, are swayed by the testimonies of those who appease them.
These actions illustrate the desperation and moral complexities faced by characters during the Salem witch trials depicted in the play, highlighting themes of hysteria, power dynamics, and the lengths people will go to in order to save themselves.