How long has Danforth been a judge on the bar?
I have been thirty-two years at the bar, sir, and I should be confounded were I called upon to defend these people.
How did Judge Danforth change in the crucible?
Danforth is also comfortable in his position of authority and boasts about how many witches he has sentenced to death. However, Danforth’s attitude begins to change as John Proctor, Mary Warren, Giles Corey, and Francis Nurse begin to challenge the court’s proceedings and defend the accused citizens.
How old was Thomas Danforth during the Salem witch trials?
Judge Thomas Danforth, Salem Witch Trials’s Timeline
| 1623 | November 20, 1623 |
|---|---|
| November 23, 1623 | |
| 1634 | 1634 Age 10 |
| 1643 | May 10, 1643 Age 19 |
| 1643 Age 19 |
Who was Judge Danforth in real life?
| Thomas Danforth | |
|---|---|
| Born | bapt. November 20, 1623 Framlingham, Suffolk, England |
| Died | November 5, 1699 (aged 76) Province of Massachusetts Bay |
| Profession | Magistrate |
| Signature | |
What is Judge Danforth most afraid of?
witchcraft
What does Judge Danforth have to lose from the truth?
Not only does Judge Hathorne and Deputy-Governor Danforth have no proof of the crimes other than the word of the girls, but they leave the accused no options — they either lie to save their lives, and hence ‘admit’ to the crime, or they die telling the truth which will not be believed by the public anyway.
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.
What does Mary Warren have to gain by telling the truth?
Abigail is convincing in her act, along with the other girls, and Mary Warren recognizes that if she persists in telling the truth she will be accused of witchcraft outright. If she is accused and convicted, she will be put to death.
Why does Mary resist telling the court the truth?
to try and convince her to tell the court the truth about what happened in the woods. Why does Mary say she cannot tell the truth in court? She is afraid of what Abigail will do to her. What is Mary’s motive in giving the “poppet” to Elizabeth?
Why can’t Mary Warren faint when asked what does this reveal?
When Mary Warren tells the court the truth that the girls were just pretending that they were being affected by witchcraft, she is challenged by Parris, Hathorne, and Danforth, and she is intimidated by the other girls. Mary explains that she fainted because she thought she saw spirits.
Which line best expresses the real truth behind the trials?
Q. Which line best expresses the real truth behind the trials? “I have evidence for the court!” “But it does not follow that everyone accused is part of it.”
Who thinks everyone is trying to overthrow the court?
What news do we learn about Rebecca Nurse? When John Proctor arrives at court with Mary Warren, what does Reverend Parris accuse him of? He has been accused of trying to overthrow the court.
Who signed Rebecca’s death warrant?
Reverend Hale
Why does Danforth refuse to pardon the prisoners who will not confess?
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. Danforth fears that the people will revolt and his reputation will be ruined if he pardons the prisoners.
How does Danforth justify the upcoming hangings?
He promises that, if there is a rebellion, he would likewise punish rebels with death. In other words, then, Danforth would rather hang thousands in order to maintain his power rather than save the lives of innocents and risk losing that power.
What does Elizabeth mean by I think that be the devil’s argument?
‘I think that be the Devil’s argument’ (p. 106), says Elizabeth, when he tries to persuade her that her husband should lie to save his own life. It is John Proctor who occupies the moral high ground at the end of the play.
What is the devil’s argument in The Crucible?
“it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.” This is the argument that Elizabeth says is the devil’s. Her reasoning is that lying is bad, no matter what, and it would be just like the devil to try to convince people it was okay to lie, because it was less bad than being prideful.
Why didnt Hale want John to hang?
Hale simply wants people to stop getting hanged. He feels responsible for their deaths, and is trying to keep people from hanging because they won’t confess. He feels that if Proctor confesses, his life will be saved, and maybe that will convince the others to confess and save their lives too.
What sin does Elizabeth say she is guilty of?
Adultery
What does Suspicion kissed you when I did mean?
“Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how to say my love. Elizabeth says this to John expressing that she never knew how to show her love to John or say I love you, because she was always suspicious.