Final answer:
In 'The Crucible', Elizabeth Proctor believes her accusation of witchcraft through the missing commandment of adultery is fueled by Abigail Williams's personal vendetta and the moral failure of the Puritan society, which allowed personal grievances to turn into deadly witch hunt accusations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the missing commandment that contributes to Elizabeth Proctor being accused of witchcraft is 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'. Elizabeth believes this omission is used against her by Abigail Williams, who had an affair with Elizabeth's husband, John Proctor.
Abigail's motivation for accusing Elizabeth is rooted in her desire to remove Elizabeth so that she can be with John. Elizabeth's understanding of this situation is that it is not only a personal vendetta but also indicative of a broader moral failure within Salem, where truth and justice are easily overshadowed by personal vendettas and hysteria.
The moral and religious rigor of the time, along with the Puritan belief system, held that every misfortune was potentially a sign of God's judgment or witchcraft. This belief created an environment ripe for accusations where personal grievances could manifest in the form of deadly witch trials.
In the context of the play, Elizabeth's accusation is a direct result of the Puritanical failure to adhere to true principles of justice and the manipulation of those religious beliefs for personal gain. The strict adherence to law and the concept of the inner light are central to understanding the dynamics that led to the witch trials and Elizabeth's situation in The Crucible.