What Proof Of Martha Corey’S Witchcraft Is The Court Taking Into Account?

In The Crucible, Martha Corey is accused of witchcraft primarily based on circumstantial evidence and the irrational fears of the community. Giles Corey suggests that Thomas Putnam’s purpose in prompting the witch trials was to make false confessions by threatening to hang Martha. The court is considering Martha Corey’s reading habits, which he claims he had his daughter, Ruth, accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft so he could buy his land when he is hanged for the crime.

The Salem community was surprised when Martha Corey was accused of witchcraft after her husband, Giles Corey, mentioned that his wife read books and that her reading sometimes affected his ability to pray. The court assumes these are books on witchcraft, and the hysteria takes over the court. The evidence of Martha Corey’s witchcraft is that she tells fortunes.

In Act III, Hathorne asks why Martha hurts these children, and the court questions and accuses Martha Corey of witchcraft. Giles Corey interrupts the court proceedings and declares that Thomas Putnam is “reaching out for” him. However, Corey is charged with contempt of court. To prove that it was vengeance and the desire to acquire land that had motivated the witch hunt, John Hathorne is tried as a witch after a group of girls accused her of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.

The court failed to realize it forced false confessions by threatening to hang Martha Corey, as it had already decided that witchcraft existed in Salem.

What is spectral evidence of witchcraft?

The witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, stand out in early American law due to the admission of spectral evidence. Spectral evidence was testimony where witnesses claimed that the accused appeared to them and caused harm in a dream or vision. Contemporary witch lore held that witches could project themselves spiritually, either directly or with the aid of Satan, to harm their victims from afar. The accused’s victims might see a spectral image of the witch approaching them as an apparition, pinching, biting, or choking them while the witch remained in a remote location. The court could then use the witness’s testimony to support a conviction for witchcraft.

Accusers in Salem reported spectral attacks by many of the 156 people indicted for witchcraft, adding a sensational quality to their reports. The use of spectral evidence was introduced to the court by William Stoughton, the recently-appointed Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, who served as the court’s chief justice. Reverend John Hale, who witnessed the proceedings, based the court’s use of spectral evidence on the opinion of Matthew Hale, a leading legal authority in England, who admitted spectral evidence in a criminal trial for witchcraft.

Who accused who of witchcraft in The Crucible?

Elizabeth Proctor is accused of witchcraft by Abigail Williams, who wants to marry her husband, John, with whom she had an affair while serving in the Proctor household. The play, The Crucible, is a metaphor for the Salem witch trials, which are a time of great testing and purification for the townspeople. The trials take place in the actual courtroom, but the metaphor extends beyond the courtroom scenes, as both John’s and Elizabeth’s imprisonments are a kind of testing.

The girls were caught dancing in the woods with Tituba, who was apparently performing love charms for them. It is unclear whether Tituba was practicing magic or if she made up the charms to keep the girls happy. Abigail wanted to believe Tituba could come up with a spell to kill Elizabeth, but she likely didn’t believe in her own spells.

Tituba falsely confessed to save herself from being beaten to death, and the girls went along with her confession, making up new lies. Abigail and others in the town later realized that an accusation of witchcraft was an effective way to punish people they were angry with.

What evidence does Francis provide for the court?

Francis Nurse presents a petition to the court, bearing the signatures of 91 individuals from Salem, which states that his wife has never engaged in witchcraft, despite his assertions that she has caused them misfortune.

What evidence was used in the witch trials?

The Salem Witch Trials were a series of trials in the colony that focused on the accused’s guilt or innocence. The court used three types of evidence: confession, testimony of two eyewitnesses, or spectral evidence. The law presumed guilt if the accused made it to trial, and if imprisoned, the accused had to pay for their stay. Courts relied on “causal relationship” evidence, prior conflicts, bad acts, possession of materials used in spells, greater than average strength, and witch’s marks.

If the accused was female, a jury of women examined her body for “witch’s marks” that supposedly showed a familiar had bitten or fed on the accused. Other evidence included the “touching test” where afflicted girls became calm after touching the accused. Courts could not base convictions on confessions obtained through torture unless the accused reaffirmed the confession afterward. The colony did not burn witches, but hanged them. The Salem Witch Trials divided the community, with neighbors testifying against neighbors, children against parents, husbands against wives, and families destroyed.

After the Court of Oyer and Terminer was dissolved, the Superior Court of Judicature took over the witchcraft cases and disallowed spectral evidence. Most accusations of witchcraft resulted in acquittals. An essay by prominent minister Increase Mather may have helped stop the witch trials craze in Salem.

What evidence of Martha Corey’s witchcraft is the court considering 79?

The court is considering Martha Corey’s witchcraft evidence, including her “reading of fortunes” and Giles’ comments about her “readin’ books”, which hindered his ability to pray. Thomas Putnam’s purpose in promoting the witch trials is allegedly to “reach out for land”, as he seeks more land from people killed during the trials. Giles Corey’s statement contradicts this information.

What was Martha guilty of?

Martha Stewart was convicted in 2004 of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal investigators. She was not charged with insider trading. Stewart’s broker, Bacanovic, was also found guilty of related charges. Stewart served a five-month prison sentence and two years of supervised release, including electronic monitoring. The case raised questions about the fairness of the legal system and the responsibilities of public figures in financial dealings.

The trial had a significant impact on Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, leading to a decline in stock prices and Stewart stepping down. However, Stewart’s empire resisted, rebuilding her brand and returning to American media and business.

What was Martha sentenced to?

Martha Stewart was convicted of security fraud and obstruction of justice by her broker, Bacanovic, in a highly public trial. Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison, a fine of $30, 000, and two years of probation post-release, including five months of home confinement. The sentence was the lightest possible under federal guidelines. Stewart was also removed from her position as director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which she founded.

The home confinement included staying at home for one day at least once a week, working 48 hours a week, and accommodating other approved activities. The share values in her company rose by 37% on the day of the sentencing, but the share prices were still lower than before the news of her stock sales being under investigation. The conviction led to the removal of Stewart’s title and her step down from the position of director.

Why does Martha Corey laugh during the court proceedings?

Martha Corey finds the court proceedings somewhat amusing, as she believes the judges are misguided in accepting the testimony of the girls, whom she perceives as either deceitful or inclined to embellish the truth.

What is the real reason Martha is charged?

Martha, a non-orthodox Christian in Salem, is accused of inciting retribution for selling a pig to Walcott, who subsequently perished. Cheever arrives at the Proctor residence with a search warrant to investigate.

Why is Corey charged with contempt of court?

Cory was apprehended by Giles for refusing to divulge the identity of his informant to the court.

What evidence does Giles Corey bring?

Giles Corey discloses that Putnam employs the use of witchcraft accusations for his own benefit, which subsequently prompts his daughter to accuse others of witchcraft. This enables Putnam to purchase the property of those who have been convicted of witchcraft at a reduced price following their execution and the seizure of their assets.