Towards the end of Act III, Mary Warren testifies that she “never saw no spirits” and that her fainting spells were mere “pretense” (99, 98). Judge Danforth comes very close to believing Mary Warren’s testimony, and even asks Abigail Williams, “Is it possible, child, that the spirits you have seen are illusion only?” (100). It is at this moment that Abigail moves to reassert control over the court proceedings. Abigail begins to act as if she sees a “yellow bird,” and, raising her “frightened eyes” and “awed face,” she screams with a “wild, chilling cry” (106). Abigail’s theatrical performance immediately captivates Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris, and all of the other girls. This scene in which Abigail puts on a performance that compels the attention of everyone around her might be considered the “play within the play.” How might Arthur Miller use this scene to provoke audiences to reflect upon the power of acting? And why might Miller have chosen to cast his play’s villain, Abigail Williams, in the role of the playwright of the play within a play?