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Why Is The Judge Danforth Important In The Crucible

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The Crucible is a play by Auther Miller; based on his experience with McCarthyism, the story of The Crucible is about the historical event of the Salem witch trials. When lies of a group of people challenge the communities religious beliefs. The girls lie about witchcraft to avoid trouble, leading to the false imprisonment of hundreds of people and the execution of nineteen people. Danforth, the head judge and deputy governor, is developed as an stubborn judge with a monolithic code of justice. Additionally, Judge Danforth is invited to Salme by Rev. Parris to help with the “witchcraft” problem. He comes to Salem and follows a strict code, which he uses to gain power quickly in Salem. When Judge Danforth first comes to Salem he quickly gains power: JUDGE DANFORTH: Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside? (ACT 3; pg 206) This strict …show more content…

As a result, hundreds of people have been imprisoned based on past grievances with neighbors. These imprisonments have led to the distrust of the courts as people see them as corrupt and false. JUDGE DANFORTH: I judge nothing. (Pause. He keeps watching Proctor, who tries to meet his gaze.) I tell you straight, Mister-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. Do you understand my meaning? (ACT 3; pg 211) Judge Danforth is concerned and arrogant that the girls could be lying about everything. Even when Mary Warren confesses to the court that she never says any spirits, Abigail uses her power over the town and courts to convince Danforth that the claims are false. This makes it harder for Judge Danforth to follow his strict code, especially when Abigail uses her powers to cloud his

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Judge Danforth held the highest position of authority. He was the only person who ultimately had the power to stop the craziness, but he chose not to; therefore, even though others were partially responsible, Danforth was most at fault. He liked being in power. In Act 3 he even bragged, “And did you know that four hundred are in jails… upon my signature?... And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?”

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531 Words | 3 Pages

Judge Danforth is responsible for the outcomes in Salem because he is arrogant, superstitious, and unwilling to listen to reason. Danforth accuses countless girls of witchcraft with no proof to support

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Judge Danforth was the person who decided what happened to the ¨guilty¨ people, which led to 24 killed, 19 hanged, 1 pressed, and 4 who died in prison. "Near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature...and seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature" ( Page 183). Danforth talks about how with his signature he killed many people and put many people in prison. He shows how he is responsible for many deaths in not just Salem but, other places too. Judge Danforth used his powers as a Judge to his advantage, he was the most corrupt in this story.

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661 Words | 3 Pages

He is convinced that the girls hysteria is true which leads him to condemn those who are falsely accused of being a witch. In Act IV in the final scene Danforth forces John Proctor for a false confession that he has seen the devil. Danforth knows that it is a lie and with doing so we are revealed to the true weakness of his character. Danforth solely wants a signed confession to the reinforce the crumbling townspeople of Salem. This only goes to show you that Danforth only worries about his authority and that he too has the same motives as Abigail, Reverend Parris, and

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629 Words | 3 Pages

Danforth believes he his the one to make any political decision in Salem and all shall obey his decision. Judgements made by Danforth was not only made for justice but instead made to make him look more powerful. " Danforth uses weight and power of the law to crush dissent" (Beers and Odell 1266). This quote proves Danforth uses his polo all power to make his own decisions on judgements. "Danforth the uncompromising but misguided judge" (Miller).

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181 Words | 1 Pages

Deputy Governor, Danforth is ignorant to the fact that he believes he is the voice of God. He believes the people of Salem should not fear the court because the court is guided by God, so therefore there will be no corruption or unfair ruling. This thoughts is a lie and shows how much of an ego Danforth has. Even though the people he has found guilty and condemned are innocent, Danforth fails to see that this whole trial is fraud.

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As the voice of authority of Salem, Judge Danforth leads to the tragedy of their social disturbance by breakdown Salem’s solidarity.

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447 Words | 2 Pages

Judge Danforth Explains that “I cannot pardon these when twelve are hanged for the same crime” (119). Danforth knows that Procter is right, but he is not trying to please solely Procter. Danforth has an entire community to worry about, in a town where nearly everyone is considered crazy, Danforth is the last solid figure they have. If Danforth starts to second guess himself, he fears that people will be very upset, if he admits he unjustly killed 12 people, then he is the worst murderer of them all.

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533 Words | 3 Pages

Reverend Hale and Judge Danforth are two authoritative figures in The Crucible whose roles in society are to lead the community in the ways and likeness of God so that the people of Salem can, basically, be good Puritans. Despite their similar intentions, there are also blaring differences which distinctly separate the two and their beliefs. To start, both Hale and Danforth work chiefly to serve God and lead his people on Earth to live holy and just lives. When the question of the Devil and witchcraft arise within Salem, both men come to investigate and cleanse the town of evil. While Judge Danforth considers himself “a minister of the Lord” and does “not take a life without there be proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience

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Abigail Williams is a Reverend's daughter and Judge Danforth is as he claims. Their reputations are all they truly have, and both induce fear to maintain it. In the beginning of the play Abigail confesses to dancing naked, and to being out, yet not to witchcraft, and blames it on Tituba. She then tells Mary about what happened, and threatens her life to keep her secret. Danforth, in the beginning of Act III, makes sure Proctor, Hales, and Giles know what his reputation is allowing him to do.

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490 Words | 2 Pages

Danforth is never pleased when he is questioned. This is most likely due to the fact that Danforth is part of “the highest court of the supreme government of this province” (79). Danforth proves himself to be a judge that lets his arrogance and ego affect ruling decisions for the worse. Danforth’s superstition and arrogance is a substantial factor in determining lives and moving the plot forward. Danforth’s actions pursue Abigail to continue to accuse her fellow colonists for participating in the act of witchcraft.

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811 Words | 4 Pages

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment.

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Serena Williams and Ida B. Wells have changed the world more than you know. One you’ve probably heard of, the other probably not. Both have contributed many great things to make the world more equal. Serena Williams became the greatest tennis player, and Ida B. Wells inspired Rosa Parks by not giving up her seat on a train. Ida B. Wells changed the world by not giving up her seat and challenging those who were unequal.

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707 Words | 3 Pages

He believes strongly in his ability to judge the character of the informants. This comes into play when others question his judgement of Abigail and the girls from the woods. Danforth has a great deal of authority over the verdict of the accused, he has the power to judge them as not guilty. Danforth being the primary judge means he could have admitted to his foolishness and told the community that the accused people were not witches, and it would have made the townspeople believe that there was no witch problem in Salem at all. Danforth is too concerned with his reputation to admit that his judgement, at first, was clouded.

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Danforth: Judge, Jury, and Executioner Judge Danforth’s position in the crucible is the Judge assigned to the proceedings of the Salem witch trials. Instead of treating this immense responsibility with the respect and restraint that is needed, Danforth abused his power by betraying the people of Salem and the Law. He did not listen to the people of Salem defending themselves before inevitably being sent to death; and he cared more about his reputation and the law than he did about peoples’ lives. Danforth was a ruthless power over the people of Salem he demanded respect for himself and the court; and nothing was more important than that.

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