What was Abigail Williams' motivation for her actions?

Abigail Williams' primary motivation for her actions throughout "The Crucible" is rooted in her desire for revenge against Elizabeth Proctor. This stems from her affair with John Proctor, which fueled her obsession with him and her resentment towards Elizabeth, who she sees as an obstacle to her happiness. Abigail believes that if she can remove Elizabeth from the picture, she can rekindle her relationship with John. This desire is further intensified by her manipulative nature and her willingness to go to extreme lengths, including participating in the witch trials and accusing innocent people of witchcraft to achieve her goal. Abigail’s actions are driven by personal grievances rather than fear of persecution or a quest for social status, making her motivation distinctly personal and revenge-oriented.