There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? She"d dare not call out such a farmer's wife but there be a monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John" (Act II, 61). Elizabeth sees what Abigail is up to and tries to tell John, who knows she's right, but will not bring himself to admit it. The witch trials are the perfect chance for people to get revenge on anyone.
Thomas Putnam holds a couple grudges against Francis Nurse. The first is their dispute over land. The second one, Francis Nurse prevented Mr. Putnam's brother-in-law from becomming minister of Salem. As a result of these disputes, Putnam hates Francis Nurse. The Putnam's babies have never lasted more than a day after their birth, except for Ruth, their only surviving child. They look for a scape goat, so their bad luck luck is not to blame, for that would be a sign that they were not chosen. Ann Putnam even asks Tituba to conjure the spirits of her children so they can inform Tituba as to who murdered them. Tituba is unable to give her an answer, and Mrs. Putnam remains dissatisfied. She eventually blames Nurse's wife, Rebecca, knowing that her husband dispises Rebecca's husband. When Nurse and Giles come to the Proctor house, they inform them that Cheever has taken their wives to jail. Francis Nurse says, "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mr. Hale." Hale then inquirers as to what Rebecca is charged for, to which Nurse replies, "For murder, she's charged. "For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies." What am I to do, Mr. Hale?" (Act II, 71). The Putnam's finally get their vengeance on the Nurse's when Rebecca is accused and hanged.
The judges, Danforth and Hathorne, are only worried about their own name getting tarnished instead of focusing on who is actually innocent and who is really guilty. They care more about maintaining the appearance of the justice system rather than actually justifying the situation.