The Motivation Of Danforth In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

“Danforth is a grave man in his sixties, of some humour and sophistication that does not

however, interfere with an exact loyalty to his position and his cause” (Miller p81). Judge

Danforth is so driven to be seen as the ultimate in righteousness that he refuses to see any other

argument. This ambition could be seen in his refusal to listen to the truth when it contradicted his

agenda. It was also evident in his overzealous pursuit of witchcraft and his willingness to

manipulate others into going along with his course of action. Ambition prompted Danforth to be

even more corrupt than he had previously been, while in his attempt to maintain and gain the

town’s respect.

When Danforth realized that John Proctor was innocent, he selfishly

Mary admitted that, “it were pretense”, ( Miller p85). John Proctor told Danforth

that what he wanted is Elizabeth to be freed and the truth to come out, but Judge Danforth was so

certain in his calling to expose the Devil he could not accept this. Danforth thought that Proctor

had an ulterior motive which was to, as Danforth says, “undermine the court”, meaning he

believed Proctor wanted to subvert the course of justice, or Danforth’s idea of justice. Judge

Danforth also displayed signs of self obsession when Giles Corey and Francis Nurse came to

Danforth to explain how well thought of members of the community their accused wives are, and

that there was no way they could possibly be capable of such a thing, and that there was proof

Danforth said, “Do you know who I am Mr. Nurse?”, (Miller p83). Judge Danforth was not

capable of taking judgement in his field of expertise and was furious that anybody would even

dare to question him.

Danforth was so determined to have his opinions of witchcraft upheld, he was unwilling or in

fact unable, to hear the truth. When Mary Warren admitted that she had lied about seeing