William

*"Free us from the shame and torment which are due unto us for them. We beseech thee, increase our faith in the promises of the gospel, our fear of thy name, and the hatred of all our sins; that we may be assured that thy Holy Spirit dwells in us, that we might be thy children in thy love and mercy. For as we hunger for this food of our bodies, so our souls hunger for the food of eternal life. Finish soon our days of sin, and bring us to everlasting peace through the purifying blood of thy son, our Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ."*
―William[src]
**Thomasin** is an English Puritan living in New England.

## Biography

### Background

*"What went we out into this wilderness to find? Leaving our country, kindred, our father’s houses? We have travailed a vast ocean... For what? For what?"*
―William[src]
William is born in England. As an adult, he marries Katherine and fathers four children; Thomasin, Caleb and the twins, Jonas and Mercy. At some point the family, along with their pet dog, Fowler, emigrate to America, where they find home at a plantation in New England.

### Banishment

*"Must you continue to dishonor the laws of the commonwealth and the church with your prideful conceit?"
"If my conscience sees it fit."
"Then shall you be banished out of this plantation's liberties!"
"I would be glad on it."
"Then take your leave, and trouble us no further."
"How sadly hath The Lord testified against thee."*
―William and the Governor[src]

Along with the rest of his family, William is brought before the governor of the plantation due to a religious dispute. He argues with the governor, stating that they left their home and kinsmen and travailed a vast ocean for the pure and faithful dispensation of the Gospels and the Kindgdom of God. He declares the dignitaries to be false Christians unfit to judge him and the governor accuses him of dishonoring the law of the Commonwealth and the Church with his prideful conceit. William refuses to back down and the governor banishes the family from the plantation. William declares that he is glad of it and laments that the Lord has testified against the governor.

The family then leave the plantation with what little they can fit on the back of the carriage pulled by their horse, Burt. They travel for some time before finding a fertile stretch of land at the edge of a forest where they can set up a farm. Kneeling, they join hands in prayer.

### Samuel's Disappearance

*"I love thee marvelous well, but 'tis God alone, not man, what knows who is a son of Abraham and who is not. Who is good and who is evil. Fain would I tell thee Sam sleeps in Jesus, that thou wilt, that I will, but I cannot tell thee that. None can."*
―William to Caleb[src]

Over the next few months, William and his family build their farm and welcome a new son, Samuel. One day while Thomasin is looking after him, Samuel goes missing. Katherine falls into a deep depression, not sleeping and spending the day lying in bed, praying and crying. Early one morning, William meets with Caleb and tells him that they can no longer search for Samuel, as if a wolf has not eaten him he will have died of hunger. He tells Caleb that he has been laying traps in the wood, as they must catch their food due to ergot destroying their crops.

In the wood, Willam tells Caleb to outline the concept of original sin. Caleb does so successfully and William commends his memory. They check the traps, but find them empty. Caleb asks if Samuel was born a sinner and William replies that he was, which leads Caleb to worry that his little brother is in Hell. William tells his son that he wishes he could reassure him, but cannot, for God alone knows who is a son of Abraham and who is not. Caleb asks him where he acquired the traps and William replies that he traded the silver cup that belonged to Katherine's father to Indian Thom and Old Slater in exchange for them. He tells him not to inform Katherine, as she is overwrought due to losing Samuel, and promises to tell her himself when her grief has passed.

William whistles for Fowler, but he does not respond. They hear him barking and run towards it. They discover that he has spotted a hare. William loads his musket with some difficulty. Once it is loaded, he takes his shot, but it backfires and sends gunpowder into his eye. The hare escapes and Fowler runs to his master, who pushes him off.

William and Caleb return to the farm and discover that the twins have riled up the billy goat, Black Phillip. William orders him to get back and grabs him by his horns, wrestling him into his pen. Once he has gotten the goat into the pen, William falls into a pile of dung, prompting the twins to laugh at him. He orders them to be quiet and Katherine tells Thomasin to take William's rags to the brook and wash them. Thomasin undresses William and Katherine chastises him for taking Caleb from the farm without explanation. Caleb lies to her by telling her that they were looking for apples and William feels guilt for letting his son lie to his mother. He tells Caleb to fetch some water for Katherine, ordering him not to stray from the brook. He then chops some firewood.

Later that evening, the family sit down for supper and William leads them in prayer. Katherine asks Thomasin what has become of the silver cup and Thomasin replies that she does not know where it is. Katherine does not believe her and William backs up Thomasin. Katherine is not convinced and asks what is amiss on the farm. Attempting to diffuse the situation, William asks Caleb to read out a chapter of the Word, encouraging the family to find light in the darkness.

### Difficult Decision

*"That corn is trash."
"We cannot back to that church!"
"We will starve!"
"Peace. You'll wake 'em. Peace. I’ll take the horse to village tomorrow with Thomasin. The Tildens or the Whytings, they can make use of her. They are good folk. Kate. Kate. Stop. We will find food. I know it."*
―Katherine and William[src]

As he sits in bed that night, William watches Katherine praying and tells her that she must sleep that night. She joins him in bed and he holds her close, asking if she remembers that he loves her. She replies that she does and he tells her that they must turn their thoughts towards God and not theirselves. He tells her that God has been good to them and they have been ungrateful of His grace. Katherine declares that God has cursed their family and William replies that He has taken them into a very low condition to humble them.

Katherine states that they should never have left the plantation, comparing their current situation to Jesus Christ being led into the wilderness to be ill met by the Devil. William replies that they have no need for silver chalices and she angrily replies that it is not due to vanity that she is grieved of it. He attempts to admit what became of it and is surpised when she states that they could have sold it. She points out that nobody will buy their corn due to its condition.

Katherine then tells him that Thomasin has begun to become a woman and must be sent away to serve another family. William is against the idea and she chides him for not taking Samuel to be baptised. She tells him that they are in danger of starving and he reluctantly gives in, promising her that he will take Thomasin to the village in the morning and give for to good folk such as the Tildens or the Whytings. He promises her that they will find food.

### Missing Children

*"I knew you were false! I knew it!"
"I did want it a surprise, 'twas why I kept silent. I will trap that wolf."
"You stood by whilst our son lied to me!"
"'Twas for thy sake. I love thee Kate."
"You took him to the Wood!"
"I will find him."
"You have broken God's covenant. You are a liar. And you have lost another child."*
―Katherine and William[src]

The next morning, they wake to find Thomasin and Caleb gone, along with Burt, Fowler and the musket. William and Katherine tie the twins to a fence to prevent them from wandering off and scour the edges of the wood, calling out for Thomasin and Caleb. To his great relief, William eventually finds Thomasin and asks her where Caleb has gone. They return to the farm and William makes plans to set off at first light and search for Caleb. Katherine suggest that he go to the village for help, but he dismisses it as it is a day's ride and he has no horse, as Burt went missing when the children took him to the wood. He then decides that there is no time to be lost and that he will set off at once despite the rain. Katherine demands that Thomasin tell her why they went to the wood, but Thomasin replies that she has promised Caleb she will not. Seeing how overwhelmed Thomasin is, William is overcome with guilt and confesses that he sold the silver cup and took Caleb to the wood the previous morning. He begs his wife and daughter for forgiveness.

Willam and Katherine argue outside and he tells her that he the traps were to earn them food and pelts that they could sell. He tells her that he meant it as a surprise and declares the he will trap the wolf that took Samuel. She is angered that he allowed Caleb to lie to her and she chastises him for lying and losing another child. She tells him that he will die if he goes into the wood and strikes him as he attempts to calm her. She begins to cry and he carries her back inside. Thomasin treats his wound and offers to bed the goats down. Katherine calls Thomasin to her and kisses her on the forehead, finally showing her some affection. As Thomasin beds down the goats, she finds Caleb naked and delirious in the rain. William watches as Katherine and Thomasin treat Caleb before chopping wood outside.

### Witchcraft

*"You and Mother are planned to rid the farm of me. Aye. I heard you speak of it. Is that truth? You took of Mother's cup and let her rail at me. Is that truth?"
" Peace, thee."
"I will not."
"I am thy father!"
"You are a hypocrite!"
"Hold thy tongue, Daughter mine!"
"You took Caleb to The Wood and let me take the blame of that too. You confessed not till it was too late. Is that truth? You let Mother be as thy master! You cannot bring the crops to yield! You cannot hunt! Is that truth enough?"
"Enough!"
"Thou canst do nothing save cut wood!"
"Bitch!"*
―Thomasin and William[src]

The next morning, William visits Katherine as she prays by Caleb's bedside. She asks if he remembers John Kempe's son who was tormented by Indian magic. Williams states that what is happening to Caleb is not the same but Katherine insists that it is witchcraft. He asks her who has done it to him and dismisses her thoughts as those of a child. He tells her that he plans to return to the plantation in the morning, find a family for Thomasin and take Caleb to the doctor. He resolves to find some unspoiled corn and sell it and the goats. Katherine tells him to forget the crops and he asks her what it is she wants.

She tells him that she wants to be back in England and that she has never meant to be a shrew to him, comparing herself to Job's wife. She confesses that since Sam went missing, her heart has turned to stone. She tells him of a dream she had as a teenager, in which she was with Christ upon Earth and was so ravished by his love towards her that she thought it far exceeded the affection of the kindest husband. She admits that since Sam disappeared, she has such a sad weakness of faith that she cannot shake it. She fears that she will never feel that same measure of love again. William promises her that she will have it in Heaven and encourages her to join him in the field if she can.

The family search for unspoiled corn when they suddenly hear Caleb screaming in the house. They rush inside and find him screaming about a female tormentor. William orders Thomasin to take the twins outside and Katherine discover that Caleb's mouth is sealed up. William attempts to pull it open, but is unsuccessful. He takes out his knife and inserts the handle into Caleb's mouth, prying his jaws apart. To the shock of everyone, Caleb spits out a bloody apple, which convinces Katherine that he is bewitched. The twins accuse Thomasin, declaring that he stole Sam and turned Flora's milk to blood.

William demands that Thomasin kneel before him and look him in the eye. He asks her if she loves the Word of God, the Bible and prayer, and she replies that she does. He declares that they are all sinners, but that he has not raised a witch. He orders them all to pray for Caleb, but the twins state they cannot remember their prayer. As the others pray, the twins fall to the floor, convulsing and screaming. Caleb suddenly shouts about animals performing sexual acts on his female tormentor. He begs Jesus to save him and William, Katherine and Thomasin join hands in prayer. Once they finish their prayer, Caleb ecstatically declares his love for Jesus and dies. The family are devastated and as Thomasin approaches him, Katherine screams at her to leave and she runs out of the house. William follows her outside.

William finds Thomasin crying outside and holds her close. He tells her that he had planned to sew a wheat field the next year, buy a big fat milk cow and finish the barn. He encourages Thomasin to tell him the truth, as he cannot keep secret of it and a council will be called. Thomasin insists that she has told him the truth, but seeing what has happened to Caleb and how the twins forgot their prayer has convinced him otherwise. He tells her that her soul belongs to Christ and that any bargain she has made with the Devil is of no effect. She insists that she is no witch, but he begs her to confess.

She tells him that she knows he and Katherine plan to rid the farm of her. She tells him that he let Katherine rail at her over the disappearance of the silver cup and did not confess until it was too late. She calls him a hypocrite and he tells her to hold her tongue, but she rails into him for letting her take the blame for him taking Caleb to the wood. She tells him that he lets Katherine be his master and criticises his failures as a farmer and a provider, declaring that he is good for nothing but chopping wood. He calls her a bitch and pushes her to the ground, where she cries.

Thomasin accuses the twins of making covenant with the Devil in the shape of Black Phillip and bewitching the farm. He drags her into the house and orders her to repeat her accusations to Katherine. He approaches the twins, who lie still upon the bed, and demands that they wake and answer the accusations against them. When they do not respond, William declares his children dissemblers and that he will not play a fool to their games. Katherine declares that Caleb is damned and William replies that he cried Jesus, to which Katherine responds that the Devil will speak Scripture. William refuses to believe it and orders her to fetch the billhook so that he may smite Jonas as Abraham would his seed. He grabs Jonas, who wakes screaming, and Mercy then wakes and attempts to make him release her brother.

William locks the children in the goat shed with Black Phillip as they beg him to reconsider. He promises him to let them out at dawn, at which point they will set out of the plantation. He then encourages them to think on their sins. He and Katherine later bury Caleb and he watches as she climbs into the grave and holds their son one last time before it is filled. Later that night, William chops wood and confesses that his pride is to blame for his family's misfortunes. Dropping to his knees, he tearfully begs Jesus to save his family, even if it means his own damnation.

### Death

*"Corruption, thou art my father!"*
―William's last words[src]

William wakes the next morning and goes to release the children from the goat shed. To his shock, he finds that it has torn apart, with the twins gone and the nanny goats slaughered. Only Thomasin remains, covered in blood. As he stares in shock, Black Phillip charges at him and gores him. As blood spills from his mouth, William grabs a nearby axe to kill the goat. However, believing it to be the punishment of God, he throws down the axe and quotes Job: "Corruption, though art my father." Black Phillip charges at him again, knocking him into the pile of firewood, which collapses upon him and kills him.

## Personality

*"It is my fault. I confess it. I confess it!! O my God, I am false. I am bemired with the filth of pride. I am. I know it. Dispose of me as thou wilt, yet redeem my children. They cannot tame their natural evils. I lie before thee a coward and thine enemy and lick the dust of thy earth. I beg thee wash them clean in thy blood. I beg thee my Christ... save my children. Save them. I beg thee... I beg thee... I have not damned my family. I beg thee..."*
―William[src]
William is a loving father and husband, but is proud to a fault. His pride leads to him and his family to be banished from the plantation and establish a farm in the wilderness. He feels inadequate due to his poor farming and hunting abilities and often retreats from these feelings by chopping wood, which is the only skill he has mastered. He often lies to his family as he attempts to make their situation seem better than it really is and is consumed by guilt due to this. His lies tend to have grave consequences, such as when he sells his wife's silver cup without telling her. As his family's fortunes continuously decline, he tearfully admits that his pride has doomed them. He faces death with dignity, believing it to be a fitting punishment for his mistakes.

## Religion

*"List me, Kate, I fear thou lookst too much upon this affliction. We must bend our thoughts towards God, not ourselves. He hath never taken a child from us. Never a one, Kate. Who might earn that grace? We have been ungrateful of God's love."*
―William to Katherine[src]
William is a devout Christian, placing his faith in God to the point of believing that any hardship that he and his family experience is His way of humbling them. He follows his beliefs despite admitting that he knows very little of how God works. His pride leads him and his family to be banished from the plantation where they lived due to disagreements about methods of worship. William later breaks down and admits that his pride is to blame for his family's ill fortunes and begs God to spare his family even if it means his own damnation.

## Behind the Scenes

* Steve Gagne was a stunt double for Ralph Ineson in the role of William.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Eggers, Robert, *The Witch*, A24, USA, February 19, 2016