In answer to Hale, Danforth puts forth the argument that
witchcraft is an “invisible crime
.” Basically, he's making the claim that such a crime is largely committed apart from the community's knowledge. Danforth asserts that only the witch and the victim can attest to the guilt of the witch.
Who does Danforth call in to corroborate Proctor's accusations?
On the last night of my joy, some eight months past. After John admits this, Danforth is much more suspicious of Abigail, but he still requires further evidence to corroborate John's story. He calls for
Elizabeth
to come into the court in order to ask her about the relationship.
Who does Judge Danforth accuse?
Danforth summons Abigail and three of the girls into the vestry room, where he questions Abigail. She denies Mary Warren's charge that she is lying and that she falsely accused
Elizabeth Proctor
.
How is Danforth a hypocrite?
Danforth is a stubborn man. He is a
hypocrite in that he will not allow his ego to be deflated
. He sees no flexibility in the law and he is allowing innocent people to hang. He would rather innocent people die than to appear wrong about his court room decisions.
What is Danforth Guilty?
No, Danforth is not guilty of murder. He is perhaps guilty of
excessive zeal and bad judgement
, but not murder. Danforth is basing his decisions on evidence that has persuaded most of the town of Salem.
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.
What sin did Danforth commit?
What sin did Danforth commit?
“Self-pollution”
was that which occurred when a man practiced “filthiness with his own body alone.” This was the “sin of Onan,” who “abhorred the lawful use of the Marriage-bed, and most impurely defiled himself,” This sin was “so detestable in the sight of God” that he slew Onan.
Why did Hale quit the court?
At the end of Act 3, Reverend Hale quits the court in Salem
out of frustration because he sees that irrationality and hysteria have taken over the proceedings
.
What does Mr Putnam want that motivates him to go along with the accusations?
Motivation: 1.
Save his wife
; he feels responsible to her accusation. 2. He wants to preserve his farm for his family.
Does Abigail threaten Danforth?
When
Abigail is suspected of pretending, she denies it and actually threatens
Deputy Governor Danforth, the man presiding over these proceedings. She says, “Let you beware, Mr. Danforth.
What does Danforth symbolize?
Danforth represents
the evil of blind certainty
in the play: he refuses to accept the truth because to do so would humiliate him.
What is Danforth motivated by?
Danforth then has Giles arrested and instructs Cheever to arrest each person who signed the deposition. Danforth proceeds to intimidate Mary Warren and has Proctor arrested when Elizabeth lies on his behalf. Overall, his primary motivation is
to remain in power and silence anyone challenging his court
.
Does Danforth believe in witchcraft?
In this way, Danforth's belief or disbelief in witchcraft itself
is immaterial
. He only cares about the integrity of the authority of the court. Political authority and religious authority are one and the same in Salem, and Danforth upholds what he strongly believes is the unarguable truth.
Who is to blame for the hysteria?
In the Crucible by Arthur Miller,
Abigail Williams
is to blame for the mass hysteria in Salem because she wants to be with John Proctor, she tries to kill Elizabeth, and she tries to save her name.
What happened to Judge Danforth?
Danforth died in Cambridge on November 5, 1699
.
Why does Danforth refuse to stop the proceedings?
Why does Danforth refuse to stop the proceedings? He doesn't like John Proctor and Giles Corey.
He is worried how faltering would look on his part, now that several people have already been hung
. He is an evil man who wants to see as many people hung as possible.
