The Crucible and A Man For All Seasons Comparison Essay

Religion as the central authority figure bears a significant role in the plays A Man for All Seasons ' and The Crucible ' Set against the Medieval period of 16th Century England and Massachusetts respectively , the dramas explore the formidable influence the Church has over the society . Both plays not only use the Middle Ages as a background for the story but also directly derive from controversial historical facts as basis for the plot . Miller and Bolt 's historical allusions constitute their works as social critique meant to question the widely revered and accepted

orthodox of the time

In Arthur Miller 's The Crucible ' it is the Puritanical ideology that is scrutinized . According to The Cambridge History of English and American Literature Volume VIII ' 16th Century saw the rebirth of witch inquisition . Amidst the intense Christian fervor of the era and the simpleminded ignorance of rural folks , the holy faith was intermingled with superstitious beliefs . Witch hunting brought about paranoia among the people because of the grim consequences the Church imposed upon those who commune with evil spirits . The Church acting as the supreme ruler both on heaven and earth , holds power over the populace 's private and public interests . The Church 's sovereignty at this period is so absolute and encompassing that the devout masses was forced to take their faith to the extreme which consequently resulted to religious fanaticism ( Superstition in the Sixteenth Century ' article no 0520

In the play The Crucible ' the issue of Church tyranny is most evident with the way characters struggled either to conform or rebel with the society 's expectations . As a rule , the doctrines of the Church are the ultimate stipule in determining one 's stand in the social and moral hierarchy . To quote Miller : You must understand , sir , that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it , there be no road between . This is a sharp time , now , a precise time - we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world . Now , by God 's grace , the shining sun is up , and them that fear not light will surely praise it ( The Crucible ' Act III ) The people of Salem were made to fear Church authority by enforcing severe punishments to immoral delinquents . Hence obedience to religious laws is not only necessary for cleanliness of the soul but , more importantly , for life survival and subsistence within the overwhelming enclosure of a Puritan colony

This is why the villagers accused of witchcraft willingly confesses in spite of their innocence . Proctor 's maid , Mary Warren conveniently throws her conscience aside just to be able to evade death . Mary 's action is reminiscent of the Common man 's casual regard for Christian beliefs . The Common man in the drama A Man for All Seasons ' shows that to the ordinary folks religion becomes a necessary tool for salvation , not only of their eternal life but also of their immediate life on earth . Adhering to...