In the Salem witch trials, the court relied on testimonies from witnesses who claimed to have seen Goody Osburn involved in suspicious activities, such as practicing witchcraft or consorting with the devil. Additionally, the court may have used spectral evidence, in which the accusers claimed to have been afflicted by Osburn's spirit in some way. These testimonies, along with Osburn's reputation and behavior, were used as proof of her being a witch.
Ann Putnam finds it difficult to believe that Goody Osburn is a witch because Goody Osburn is a respected member of their community and an upstanding church member. Ann is struggling with conflicting feelings of fear and loyalty, making it hard for her to accept this accusation.
Mary Warren believes that Goody Osburn is a witch because she has been influenced by the prevailing fear and hysteria surrounding witchcraft in Salem. As a member of the court, Mary has witnessed the accusations and the power they hold, leading her to align with the group of girls making the claims. Additionally, her own insecurities and desire for acceptance drive her to participate in the witch hunt, further solidifying her belief in Goody Osburn's guilt. Ultimately, the societal pressure and fear of retribution cloud her judgment.
In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," Goody Osburn advises the girls in court to pretend and act as if they are being attacked by spirits, thereby using their influence to manipulate the proceedings. She encourages them to maintain the facade of being victims of witchcraft, which ultimately leads to the escalation of the witch trials. This manipulation is pivotal in swaying the court's decisions and heightening the hysteria surrounding the accusations.
Tituba names Goody Good and Goody Osburn as the two women she saw consorting with the devil to deflect suspicion away from herself and to align with the prevailing hysteria in Salem. By implicating others, she aims to save herself from punishment and gain favor with the authorities. Additionally, both women were already marginalized in society, making them convenient scapegoats in the witch hunt. This tactic reflects the desperation and fear that characterized the Salem witch trials.
Because Osburn was the midwife when three of Putnam's children died. Putnam is so crazed with grief, and she blames herself for her childrens death, so she leaps upon any excuse to believe that an outside force took away her children. end of Act One: Mrs Putnam: I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times. I begged you, Thomas, did I not? I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her. My babies always shriveled in her hands!
It is assumed today by historians that the Putnams had vendettas against several families in the community for one reason or another. Mrs. Putnam was trying to get a quick conviction for Goody Osborne for personal resentments.
In the Salem witch trials, Goody Osburn was found guilty largely due to the testimony of afflicted girls who claimed she had harmed them through witchcraft. Additionally, spectral evidence, which involved claims that her spirit was seen tormenting the accusers, played a significant role in her conviction. The combination of these testimonies and the prevailing hysteria of the time led to her sentencing despite a lack of concrete physical evidence.
Goody Osburn is a character in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible." She is portrayed as a marginalized and accused woman in the Salem witch trials, often seen as a scapegoat for the community's fears. Accused of witchcraft, she is depicted as a lowly servant who has fallen out of favor, reflecting the themes of hysteria and injustice that permeate the play. Her character serves to highlight the social dynamics and paranoia of the time.
Sarah Osburn and Sarah Good
In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," Tituba, a slave from Barbados, initially accuses several women of being witches to save herself from punishment. She specifically names Sarah Good and Goody Osburn, claiming they are responsible for the supernatural happenings in Salem. Her accusations contribute to the mass hysteria and witch trials that ensue, reflecting her desperation and the chaotic environment of the time.
"Goody" was short for "Goodwife", a form of address for women at the time in puritan society
In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," Tituba claims to have seen several people with the Devil. Specifically, she mentions seeing a number of townspeople, including Goody Osburn and Sarah Good, in the company of the Devil. Her confessions play a crucial role in escalating the witch trials in Salem.