Adultery in "The Crucible" is primarily referred to as what?

In "The Crucible," adultery is primarily referred to as lechery, a term that denotes excessive or inappropriate sexual desire, particularly involving illicit sexual relationships. This term encapsulates the moral implications and societal judgments surrounding adultery during the Puritanical context of the play. Protagonist John Proctor's acknowledgment of his affair with Abigail Williams is central to the narrative, highlighting not only his personal guilt but also how societal values equate such acts with shame and moral failing. The use of "lechery" carries with it a weight of moral repugnance in Puritan society, marking it as a significant sin that drives the characters' motivations and conflicts throughout the story.

Witchcraft, while a key theme in the play, serves a different purpose by representing the hysteria and wrongful accusations that ensue. Sin in a broader sense encompasses many actions, but lechery specifically directs the focus on the aspect of adultery. Infidelity, while synonymous with adultery, is a more general term that lacks the specific connotations intrinsic to the harsh moral judgments present in the context of the Puritan society portrayed in the play. Thus, the term “lechery” captures the essence of the judgment surrounding Proctor's actions and