performing witchcraft and so he was sent to the court to be placed on trial. Throughout his trial he continued to state that not only had he never committed any witchcraft but he also had no belief that such a thing even exists. The judge of these trials‚ Judge Danforth‚ declared Mr. Proctor as guilty for he could not prove that he had never committed any witchcraft and so Mr. Proctor was sent to jail. Three months passed and since Mr. Proctor continued to plead not guilty‚ but the day had come for Mr. Proctor to
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Abigail believes that if Elizabeth no longer lives‚ then John will come to her. John knows Abigail’s plans and tells Danforth‚ “She [Abigail] thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave”(100). Not only does Abigail seek revenge on Elizabeth‚ but also Judge Danforth. In the scene with Mary Warren‚ Danforth begins to belittle Abigail’s accusations and she replies‚ “Let you beware‚ Mr. Danforth. Think you so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it” (108). Abigail uses her manipulative
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If it were not for the self-seeking nature present in Salem‚ the infamous witch trials of 1692 would not have taken place. Most villagers were interested in themselves and none other. One such character is Reverend Parris from the historical play The Crucible‚ which concerns these Salem witch trials. He is only interested in his good name. In the beginning of the play‚ this conceit leads Reverend Parris to support the court’s false judgements in order to preserve his reputation‚ but as the play progresses
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the characters of Danforth and Abigail and in his purpose for writing this play. Deputy Governor Danforth is not a tolerant man. He does not allow outspoken behavior in his courtroom‚ especially if it is against the court. His dictator-like status is seen at the beginning of the trials in Salem. "This is a court of law‚ Mister. I’ll have no effrontery here!" (Miller 1254). Danforth cannot stand any deviation from what he believes to be right and true. Throughout the play‚ Danforth grows more prejudiced
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making assessments based on what they think is right while disregarding the truth. Three characters in Miller’s play who abandon the truth because they choose to believe only what they want to believe are Reverend Parris‚ Reverend John Hale and Judge Danforth. In the opening scene‚ Reverend Parris is introduced as a very apprehensive character. His daughter lays unconscious in front of him and there is a rumor that she is victim of witchcraft. Parris is infuriated and he begins questioning Abigail‚ as
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This is so‚ as ‘Danforth’ asks ‘Elizabeth’ “…be there no wifely tenderness within you....” The sub-text of the quote practically asks ‘Elizabeth’ if she even cares for ‘John’ as it questions her role as a wife. This statement is supported by ‘Danforth’s’ following remark
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you can see Reverend Parris is scared about his reputation in the community due to the witchcraft trials going on. Out of all the characters Judge Danforth thinks the highest of reputation. Judge Danforth will let lives be taken even if he knows they are innocent just to save his reputation and credibility. Mainly in act three we can see that Judge Danforth will not read Mary Warren’s
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survival of the fittest takes place here . She did exactly everything necessary to save herself and she did it no matter what it caused. By abusing his inherent authority in the courtroom‚ Danforth gains power from manipulating those citizens he has any suspicion of being witches. In the courtroom‚ Danforth pompously asserts that “near to four hundred are in jails… seventytwo hang by that signature” to try to relinquish his word after Francis Nurse accused the girls of being fraudulent (Miller 87)
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describes himself as a "sinner." He has cheated on his wife‚ and he is loath to admit the crime to anyone else. There are moments when his anger and disgust towards himself burst forth‚ such as in the climactic moment when he exclaims to Judge Danforth: "I hear the boot of Lucifer‚ I see his filthy face! And it is my face‚ and yours." Proctor is the best example of integrity. In a private conversation with his wife about whether he should confess and save his life he says‚ "I think it is honest
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the courtroom as she is questioned by Danforth by how she weakens in the face of opposition. This is apparent as she feebly answers Danforth‚ and the stage directions narrate how she “breaks into sobs.” (216). Her defense crumbles as Abigail and her friends pretend to be entranced by Mary’s spirit in order to gain the court’s favor. Mary’s character provides discernment to Abigail’s influence on legal authority in the courtroom. It is apparent that Danforth is sympathetic to Abigail and the girls;
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