On Cue: The Performance of Affliction in Salem

The Salem witch-crisis of 1692 began with the manifestation of bizarre, medically inexplicable symptoms by children. During the interrogation of suspected witches in the courtroom, groups of the “afflicted” exhibited their sufferings in unison. As the record shows, these demonstrations were not just tolerated but endorsed and even cued by the presiding magistrates. In a setting where confession was strong evidence of guilt, emotive displays by accusers with a license to perform might well squeeze a confession out of a suspect. In a number of cases, including the critical first confession, that is just what appears to have happened. However, even when suspects did not confess, the dramatically enacted torments of their accusers were cited in official documents as evidence against them. Little wonder the magistrates elicited and validated these spectacles.