John Proctor forgets the commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery” when he is asked to recite the Ten Commandments in Act II of The Crucible.

Quick Scoop: Key Answer

  • The specific commandment he forgets is “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
  • This is deeply ironic because Proctor has in fact committed adultery with Abigail Williams, and his lapse exposes his guilt and inner conflict.
  • Elizabeth Proctor has to remind him of this commandment, underscoring the strain in their marriage and his damaged moral standing.

Why This Moment Matters

  • The forgotten commandment becomes a symbol of Proctor’s hidden sin and the hypocrisy that runs through Salem’s supposedly holy society.
  • Dramatically, it creates sharp situational irony: the one commandment he most needs to remember is the one tied directly to his greatest moral failure.

Quick Context in the Play

  • The scene occurs when Reverend Hale visits the Proctor home and tests their Christian character by asking John to recite the Ten Commandments.
  • Proctor confidently recites nine, stumbles on the last, and only remembers adultery when Elizabeth quietly prompts him, making Hale—and the audience—question how “upright” Proctor truly is.

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