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Who Is Judge Danforth In The Crucible

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In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible we are introduced to the dynamic character of Judge Danforth. We first meet Thomas Danforth in Act III where he is in his sixties depicted as the gullible deputy Governor of Salem, Massachusetts. Alongside Judge Hathorne during the witchcraft trials of 1692. Our first meeting with Danforth is in the courtroom. The situation taken place is the questioning of Martha Corey, who is the wife of Giles Corey. Martha is being questioned about being a witch which she denies. Giles Corey later enters the courtroom saying he has evidence for the court, but his evidence is denied, and he is pulled out by Cheever. Through his interactions and relationships with other characters, we get to know his personalities. We …show more content…

Anyone that tries to present evidence to him is shut down automatically. Giles Corey, for instance, presented evidence to the court but was told to be quiet by Danforth. Danforth says proudly (Act III, Scene 1 ): "This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province." Judge Danforth is bragging about his power. He goes on and states (Act III, Scene 1): "near to four hundred are in the jails...and upon my signature...and seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature." The townspeople's who are condemned, their lives are hanging by his signature. John Proctor, whose wife is in the custody of the court, also presents evidence to the court to prove that the girls are fake. Danforth also denies the evidence and says that Proctor is trying to overthrow the court rather than just saving Elizabeth Proctor. Danforth goes on to say (Act III)"a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it...no uncorrupted man may fear this court.This is a sharp time, now, a precise time—we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise

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