The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Danforth reassures that he “[judges] nothing”, and results in Proctor admitting to lechery in distress of how of the girls were behaving (Miller 1296). Religion is really important to the people of Salem, and by Danforth saying that he does not judge, Proctor also shows his true colors about how he isn’t as religious as he should be. That was a big deal because witches were not religious either, so now Danforth has everyone thinking Proctor is guilty. Having so much power and excellent public speaking skills, he was able to use his logic and think his logic was the only way to approach finding the group who was

Since there are only two outcomes in the minds of the court officials, they rush to conclusions. The girls’ influence on the court officials puts the decisions in their favor, leading the villagers to either confess to witchcraft or be hanged. Danforth’s statement is one that guides the rest of the novel. The idea that one must either be with the court or against it leads to all of the problems in Salem. The forced choice from two alternatives creates tension, fear, and false accusations in the community.

His genuinely concern for Salem and his desire to save the town is what makes him a respected judge. Most government leaders want to help their communities or countries which was what Danforth and McCarthy set out to do. Danforth was an effective government leader, as he states he has been a judge for 23 years, he wouldn't have been a judge for so long if people had thought he was inadequate. Just like McCarthy wanted to rid America of communism, Judge Danforth wanted to rid Salem of the devil. Danforth truly believes that he is guided by God and for that reason he cannot falsely accuse someone. This will lead him to never question himself. In The Crucible Act III Danforth says, “I judge nothing… I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me.” This quote is showing that Danforth really thought the girls were being truthful, he thought what he was seeing was real and therefore he wasn't trying to wrongfully convict anyone. Danforth had come to Salem to help the community and had no other objective just as McCarthy had when he started trying to clear America of

Therefore, we must rely upon her victims – and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for all their confessions. Therefore, what is left for a lawyer to bring out? I think I have made my point. Have I not?"(239-243). Reverend Hale is starting to believe that the girls are lying, and he thinks that the ones being accused should have a lawyer but Danforth just says the accused only rely on victims and witnesses. Danforth feels that he has much power and he wants it to stay that way by "defending" the people. "I cannot hear you. What do you say? You will confess yourself or you will hang! Do you know who I am? I say you will hang if you do not open with me!" (483-487). Danforth knows that he has the power to say if someone hangs or not so he's using it to scare Mary into telling the truth, or in this case the truth he wants to hear.

Danforth wants Proctor to see Elizabeth because he wants Proctor to confess that he is guilty, so he won’t be hanged. He wants the Proctor to confess to bring validity to the trials since Proctor is a good man. They think his wife can convince him.

Secondly, Judge Danforth’s irrationality and ignorance brings about poor decisions on his part. One of the instances where Danforth reveals his following attitude is when he denies to even look at a deposition presented by John Proctor as described by his words “ No, no, I accept no depositions” (Miller 88). John Proctor hands him a deposition signed by Mary warren, stating that

“ Fear nothing. I'll find Ezekiel Cheever. I’ll tell him she said it were all sport.” ( Arthur Miller Page 64). Proctor is clueless at the moment he failed to realized that Ezekiel Cheever is very close to Danforth. Judge Danforth is not concerned about justice, all he's focused about is being about the witch trials. Danforth will never have concrete evidence, unreliable witnesses. No opportunity to receive a second trial or even a review of the case. Danforth is ignorant and wants people to be with him or against him. What would this result in John Proctor doing?

Explanation 1: Danforth comes into the trials with the mindset that the victims are telling the whole truth. He even said that witchcraft is an invisible crime and the only witnesses are the witch and her victim; “Therefore, [he] must rely upon her victims- and they do testify” (Miller 100). By thinking this way, Danforth diminishes any chance at anyone denying that what the children are saying is true. The persecution of innocent women is inevitable because Danforth holds all of the power and he is choosing to put his trust in people who are deceitful and selfish.

By all means he doesn't want people to have doubt on him and himself that he sentence the innocence to death. Moreover, he never lets anything slide from him and tae job as a judge very seriously. For instance, it stated in the novel “Be quiet!... Be quiet!!” (Miller 120) In this quote this display a repetition and that words are being ignored or listened. Which means, that his caring his reputation very deeply by seeing the extra exclamation mark . “Who is this?” (Miller pg 92) In this quote it tells that Danforth does not know people in Salem and insecure about his place as a judge. During this discussion in the court, he feel that abnormal tensions and that someone can or will challenge his

An equitable judge should possess judicial temperament, courage, and integrity to make sure the delivery of an accountable justice process for the people. On the contrary, Danforth is a selfish and arrogant man who only cares about his own interests. His flawed personalities and hypocritical attitudes make him sightless and irrational throughout the witchcraft, which directly causes the calamity in the town. Danforth feels embarrassment and doesn’t know what to do when Proctor brings Mary Warren’s deposition which shows his previous judgment is wrong. He is baffled and find a reason to defend himself, “ There lurks nowhere in your heart, nor hidden in your spirit, Any desire to undermine this court? Are you in all respects a Gospel

In Act Three of the play The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, a Salem trial is presented of the people who are involved in witchcraft. Throughout the trial, almost everyone uses a countless number of fallacious statements that make the trial go chaos. Including Danforth, who is the governor of the case, was unable to stop the hysteria by failing to inspect evidence seriously and to act excessively. Danforth’s ignorance and unreasonable actions show that he is an irresponsible judge and that he messed up the witchcraft case. Danforth makes several appeals to false authority that makes him have the skill to deal with witchcraft and religion.

He again shows clear alliance to the idea that witchcraft is present by subtly helping the group of accusers prove their innocence over Mary’s. “It does not escape me that this deposition may be devised to blind us; it may well be that Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan, who sends her here to distract our sacred purpose. If so, her neck will break for it.” Judge Danforth clearly gave the girls an argument they would then use to overcome Mary’s accusations, and continue their murderous path of cleansing the village. Lastly, Danforth assists carrying on the witch trials by making it extremely difficult to share evidence that would’ve obviously debunk the trials. When Danforth is told that Abigail, the leader of the prosecutors, is doing what she is doing out of jealousy and anger, he instructs his court to gather Elizabeth Proctor so he can confirm from another party that this information is, indeed, true. “Look at

Dear ladies and gentlemen of the Appeals Court of Boston: I stand here today in representation of Elizabeth and John Proctor. While it is clear to me this trial has been closed. Hear me out, for the Proctors deserve a second trial. As Danforth was not fair in his justifications of the Proctor’s innocence. He was very fallacious in his reasoning. Which leads to the belief that the issue lies in the way Danforth handled this cases in its entirety. From the way he addressed the people in court and the way he accepted the information given by ones in the court.

He is depicted as stubborn, as shown in his response when Giles Corey provides evidence that proves his wife’s innocence. Danforth responds by saying “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe…? This is the highest court…in this province, do you know it?” His refusal to hear evidence that is likely to contradict his guilty verdict indicates that ultimately, Danforth considers himself the final judge of what is right and wrong, reflecting the corruption inherent in Salem’s authority. The authors thus provide valuable insight into the signs and motivations of a corrupt government.

Deputy Governor Danforth is a selfish, arrogant, and corrupt man who only cares about his own goods. His flawed personalities and hypocritical attitudes make him blind and irrational throughout the entire witchcraft, which directly causes the calamity of the town. Danforth feels embarrassing and doesn’t know what to do when Proctor brings Mary Warren’s deposition that shows his previous judgments are wrong. He is baffled and find a reason to defend himself, “ there lurks nowhere in your heart, nor hidden in your spirit, any desire to undermine this court? Are you in all respects a Gospel Christian? Not come to Church?”(94). Instead of taking a closer look at the details and the evidence of the case, he chooses to question Proctor’s credibility, and he believes people who confound his theory are challenging his authority and he will never let that happen. Furthermore, Danforth is somewhat terrified and worried