Elizabeth's final statement is a testament to how much she
has changed and how much her marriage to John has changed throughout the course of the
play. From a point where she had difficulty understanding John and was distant from
him, to pleading with him to sign a false confession, to fully understanding his
motivations and why he must take the stand he does, she has become an almost
transcendental figure by the end of it. The idea of her being able to fully grasp why
John must do what she does is one that reflects how much she has changed and how much
faith she has in him. At the start of the play, the affair with Abigail had cast its
shadow in her lack of faith in him and the doubts that presented themselves in their
marriage. Yet, in saying, "God forbid I take it from him," it is almost as if she
understands his stance, John's need to make right what was wrong, and his need to stand
for something in a society where no one does. It is at this point and the very idea
that she would beg to God to make sure that she fully recognizes this higher sense of
sacrifice that reflects her transformation into a paragon of virtue and nobility at the
end of the play.
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