Final answer:
In Act II of 'The Crucible,' John Proctor blames vengeance for the problems in Salem, highlighting personal vendettas behind the witchcraft accusations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Act II of The Crucible, John Proctor claims that the source of all the problems in Salem is vengeance. Proctor recognizes that personal vendettas are being settled under the guise of witchcraft accusations. The play by Arthur Miller, set during the Salem witch trials, reflects on the hysteria and malicious dynamics that fueled the accusations and executions. Proctor's character provides a contrasting viewpoint to the prevailing beliefs of Puritan society, which commonly attributed misdoings to the devil or supernatural causes. This view of vengeance influencing the witch trials provides insight into human behavior and scapegoating mechanisms during periods of mass hysteria and fear.