Final answer:
The character known as the 'witch' in the play 'The Witch of Edmonton' is Elizabeth Sawyer. She is based on a real woman who was accused and executed for witchcraft in the 17th century. Her character is portrayed as an outcast who takes to destructive behaviors due to her treatment by society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the play 'The Witch of Edmonton', written by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker and John Ford, the character who is referred to as the 'witch' is Elizabeth Sawyer. Her character is based on a real woman of the same name who was accused and executed for witchcraft in Edmonton, England, in 1621. In the play, Elizabeth is an outcast and is treated poorly by her community, which leads her to lash out in destructive ways. Her interactions with the devil's familiar, a black dog, are widely interpreted as evidence of her witchcraft.
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