trial and judgement acts as a transmitter of public heat . discuss

We certainly see this in the play. Abigail uses this heat to her advantage. She uses the tension of the court to further her own interests. The witch court needs convictions to stay relevant yet people's lives are at stake. Abigail uses the paranoia and fear in the court by pretending to see spirits. The people in the court readily buy into this because of the heightened tensions.