In the year 1692, Salem, Massachusetts underwent a social cataclysm. A succession of trials, known as the Salem Witch Trials, which led to the execution of nineteen people, plus one person who was pressed to death and a possible thirteen more who may just have died in prison ("Salem "). Giles Corey was the solitary individual who was pressed to death. Corey's character in the play did not differ from his real life; however the movie did portray some discrepancies (Burns). Corey's character in the play stayed true to his real nature.
Corey, eighty years old, was a stubborn old man. He was not educated, except by his experiences in life. Both the play and history tell this. Corey was part of the faction that was against Reverend Parris. Early in the trials Corey was one of the first to stand up. He claims that a spanking, to the girls serving as officials, might solve the whole problem, but in doing so he labels himself an enemy to the court. Soon after which, he is appearing to the court; however, his failure to enter a plea cost him his life. English law could not judge anyone who did not voice a plea (Gribben). As true by play and history, Corey was subjected to peine forte et dure , a form of torture where heavy rocks would be placed upon the chest till the victim would give in. Nevertheless, Corey only articulated two words, "More weight." On September 19, 1692, Corey died ("Giles ").
One of the few differences lies not in the play, but in the movie. In the movie Corey was held in contempt for not revealing the name of a witness. On the other hand, Corey was accused of witchcraft, or wizardry for males. He refused to plea, knowing he was condemned either way. He died as a legal Christian, saving his property.
Giles Corey's death was one of the proponents which help to set in motion the decline of the trials. He was a martyr. Throughout the play the Character Giles Corey remains historically accurate, it was only through the movie that Corey actually strayed from what was historically portrayed.
