Danforth cannot see the truth
because it is hard for him to comprehend
. It doesn’t make sense to him that the girls would lire about being bewitched. His reliance on the bile and the mass hysteria is at fault. Without either of these, things may be more clear to him.
How is it possible that Danforth is so deluded?
Despite his intelligence and prestige, Danforth is the most deluded a character in the play. Once he believes the girls, lead by Abigail, really are possessed,
Danforth is trapped by his own ego
, unable to see that they’re lying despite mounting evidence.
Why does Danforth say he will not look at Corey’s evidence?
Why does Danforth refuse?
Hale is starting to mistrust the court. He sees how the judges are dismissing everything Proctor is saying
, and he wants this evidence to be considered seriously. Yes, this is a change in his attitude.
Who is Danforth in Act 3?
DANFORTH is Enter
DEPUTY GOVERNOR DANFORTH
and, behind respectfully silent. him, EZEKIEL CHEEVER and PARRIS. On his appear- Hale: Excellency, he claims hard evidence for his wife’s ance, silence falls. DANFORTH is a grave man in his six- defense.
What does Danforth give as his reason for not being able to pardon those who refuse to confess?
In Act IV, Reverend Hale tells Deputy Governor Danforth that he must pardon the prisoners because they refuse to admit to witchcraft. Danforth replies that he cannot pardon the prisoners
because twelve people have already been hanged for the same charge
and it would not be just.
What actions of proctors are used against him?
Parris invalidates them by calling Proctor a bad Christian and telling the court how he doesn’t go to church and even works on Sunday, Sabbath day
. Giles deposition is turned against him when he is unwilling to betray anyone else.
What will delay Elizabeth’s hanging?
What will delay Elizabeth’s hanging?
Her pregnancy
.
Who is taken to jail at the end of Act III?
At the end of ACT III,
Proctor himself
is arrested, despite his original intent of going to court being to free his wife Elizabeth.
What is Judge Danforth most afraid of?
He was terrified that his name would be
associated with witchcraft
. So, his zealousy in helping the courts helps to alleviate that possibility. Then, add to that the following: if they were wrong in judging all of those people, then their careers are over–especially Danforth’s.
Why does Elizabeth lie to Danforth?
In the end, Danforth dispatches orders for Proctor to be jailed, and Hale quits the court. … The result of Elizabeth’s lie is
to make a bad situation worse for herself and Proctor
. She is asked by Danforth whether her husband had an affair with Abigail, and she denies it, wanting to save Proctor’s reputation.
What has happened to Abigail in Act 4?
In Act 4 it’s revealed that
Abigail has run away and stolen money from her uncle
(and so her reputation takes a hit in her absence), but since she is no longer in Salem, it doesn’t really matter for her. In Act 2, Abigail still seems to want to be with John Proctor, since she’s accused Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft.
What is Elizabeth’s proof that John is a good man?
What is Elizabeth’s proof that John is a good man? Elizabeth’s proof that John is a good man is
the fact he not only takes on his sins but he also takes on Elizabeth’s sins.
Who said but I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again?
John Proctor
Why does Elizabeth lie about adultery?
In this case, Elizabeth is lying
because she does not want to hurt her husband and his good name
. She does not want him to get in trouble for what he did. She has, in the past, been very angry at him for cheating on her, but now she seems to have forgiven him. … That is why she lies and he tells the truth.
What does judge Danforth have to gain from the truth?
He believes that no innocent person should fear the court, and that he and Judge Hathorne are guided by God, so nobody will be punished unjustly. Danforth believes that
he is a fair judge, open to the truth
.
Why does Miller repeat the word fear so many times?
They repeat the words, “fear” and “country” a number of times within four sentences. The word “fear” would definitely create tension in the audience because as soon as it is
mentioned they would feel on edge
as to why it is being said so often.
