Judge Danforth Quotes

GILES: They be tellin’ lies about my wife, sir. I – .
DANFORTH: Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?
GILES: Your Excellency, we mean no disrespect for – .
DANFORTH: Disrespect indeed! It is disruption, Mister. This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. When Giles Corey tries to tell the court that people are lying about his wife Martha being a witch, Judge Danforth immediately shuts him down. Displaying both arrogance and intolerance, he accuses Giles of disrupting the highest court in the province. Danforth refuses to allow Giles make a submission in defense of his accused wife, showing he has already made up his mind. This shows Danforth abusing his powers as a judge.

Do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?…And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Deputy Governor Danforth proudly boasts to Francis Nurse about the number of people he has convicted and sentenced to death for witchcraft. Danforth represents rigidity in interpreting the law, excessive pride and refusal to allow anyone jeopardize or question his authority. It seems that justice in his court is all about maintaining high conviction rates, and has little to do with fairness or truth. Drunk on his own power, Judge Danforth has used his position to promote a climate of fear and hysteria in Salem and towns around.

The entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth’s biased handling of the Salem witch trials is a good example of the theme of intolerance. In his statement to John Proctor, he seems to suggest that the court should accept the testimony of the children, because they are the "voice of Heaven." By personifying Heaven in this way, Danforth elevates the importance and credibilty of what they children are alleging. This makes it difficult for any accused person to mount a defense or get a fair hearing.

We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth warning to John Proctor relates to the title of the play. A crucible is a container in which metals may be melted. Danforth is using it here as a metaphor for burning away any lies and deceit in order to reveal the truth. This line is dramatic irony, because the audience knows that the court, far from getting to the truth, condemns the innocent. We also have an example of foreshadowing here, because Danforth actually does burn away Proctor’s concealment of his affair with Abigail.

I tell you straight, Mister – I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth shows his bias as a judge when he declares his belief in the children and their stories about people being in league with the Devil. He is speaking to Proctor, who has come to court to present evidence as to the innocence and good character of his wife and other accused women. Danforth’s guilty until proven innocent approach to law leaves little opportunity for people to convince him otherwise and find true justice. We also see an example of dramatic irony, since the audience knows that Abigail and the girls are lying to the court and the "marvels" they have presented are false.

Mr. Cheever, have warrants drawn for all of these – arrest for examination.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. The system of justice in Salem is weighed heavily against the accused, as seen by this decision of Judge Danforth. An attempt is made to present a petition signed by 91 landholding farmers and members of the church declaring that three accused women are not witches. Instead of accepting it as evidence, Danforth orders Cheever to have the entire 91 arrested for questioning. Justice is a scarce commodity in Salem.

FRANCIS NURSE: I have brought trouble on these people. I have – .
DANFORTH: No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Francis Nurse laments that he has brought trouble on the 91 petitioners who stated that his wife Rebecca, Elizabeth Proctor and Martha Corey are innocent of witchcraft. The 91 are being arrested so they can questioned by the court. Judge Danforth’s response that those "of good conscience" need have no fear as they will not be hurt is ironic. Innocent people have been accused of being witches and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit in order to save their lives.

But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. 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 it. I hope you be one of those.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth, in this courtroom speech to Francis Nurse, comes across as rigid, authoritarian, intolerant and a symbol of the absolute nature of Salem’s justice. He uses the metaphor of "no road between" to emphasize that you are either for the court or counted against it. Driven by an extreme ideology, he views the court and himself as being on the right side of the war between good and evil. They are essentially doing God’s work. In an extended metaphor he compares himself to the shining sun come to light up the dusky afternoon when evil was indistinguishable from good and confused the world. Danforth is self-deluded into believing that he is doing God’s will condemning and hanging innocent people. The irony is that the court is not being guided by God’s grace in a fight against evil. It is the corrupt court judges in collaboration with the lying Abigail and her troop of girls that are the true evil in Salem. Intoxicated by his own power, Danforth fails to see any of this.

GILES: He’ll lay in jail if I give his name!
HATHORNE: This is contempt of the court, Mr. Danforth!
DANFORTH: You will surely tell us the name.
GILES: I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife’s name once and I’ll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute.
DANFORTH: In that case, I have no choice but to arrest you for contempt of this court, do you know that?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. The court pressures Giles Corey to provide the name of a man who heard Thomas Putnam admit to getting his daughter to accuse neighbors of witchcraft in order to acquire their land. Giles shows his integrity and refuses, saying how he mentioned his wife had read strange books and she was imprisoned for witchcraft. Judge Hawthorne accuses Giles of contempt and Judge Danforth threatens him with arrest. There are parallels with the McCarthyism Red Scare era, when people were similarly accused on the basis of flimsy evidence and pressured to name the names of other communists.

HALE: There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country.
DANFORTH: Reproach me not with the fear in the country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!
HALE: But it does not follow that everyone accused is part of it.
DANFORTH: No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mr. Hale! None! (To Giles): You are under arrest in contempt of this court.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. There are echoes of McCarthyism in this exchange between the top judge in the Salem witch trials court Danforth and Reverend John Hale. Hale speaks of the climate of fear create by a court that has imprisoned and hanged so many innocent people for the crime of witchcraft. But Danforth, with great irony, insists that no innocent person may fear the court. The truth is that many innocents have been condemned by his court of so-called justice. Just as Danforth fears a "plot to topple Christ in the country," Senator Joe McCarthy believed that communists wanted to topple democracy in the United States.

DANFORTH: Mr. Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice.
HALE: I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. I’ll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound! I pray you, sir, this argument let lawyers present to you.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. As Danforth’s merciless brand of justice for the witchcraft accused relentlessly moves forward, doubts about its fairness begin to creep in for Reverend Hale. He is particularly concerned about the charges against one of Salem’s upstanding elderly citizens Rebecca Nurse. He appeals to Danforth to allow defense evidence to be heard on her behalf. Using a dramatic simile, he speaks of how his hand shook as if it was wounded when he signed her death warrant.

In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims – and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for all their confessions. Therefore, what is left for a lawyer to bring out? I think I have made my point. Have I not?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth presents his warped and perverted version of justice. In the judge’s court there is no presumption of innocence. He speaks of having to prove innocence rather than guilt. So the burden of proof is not on the prosecution but on the accused person. The corrupt Danforth goes a step further to make it virtually impossible to defend against the charge of witchcraft. He dismisses the value of a defense lawyer. The only witnesses of this "invisible crime" are the witch and victim, he says. As the witch won’t accuse herself, the court must rely on the victims, in this case the testifying children. In his speech Danforth has aleady made up his mind that Abby’s gang of girls are victims of witchcraft. He doesn’t, like an impartial judge would, consider whether they are testifying truthfully or telling lies, which they are. Danforth’s law means that if you are accused of being a witch, then you are one hundred per cent one.

DANFORTH: Sit you down, children. Your friend, Mary Warren, has given us a deposition. In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, nor any manifest of the Devil. She claims as well that none of you have seen these things either. Now, children, this is a court of law. The law, based upon the Bible, and the Bible, writ by Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft, and describe death as the penalty thereof. But likewise, children, the law and Bible damn all bearers of false witness. Now then. It does not escape me that this may be devised to blind us; it may well be that Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan, who sends her here to distract our sacred purpose. If so, her neck will break for it. But if she speak true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier with you. Abigail Williams, rise. Is there any truth in this?
ABIGAIL: No, sir.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth emphasizies his authority over the "children," explaining that Mary Warren has submitted a deposition claiming their evidence of seeing spirits and the Devil to be a lie. Danforth and his court have invested a great deal in the girls’ stories being true. While he may now be having his doubts, he is not going to easily dismiss their testimony on the word of one who has recanted. He may wish to be seen to be "fair," but his speech shows bias as he suggests that Mary may be lying on the instructions of Satan and threatens her with hanging. It is ironic that Mary’s honesty is characterized in this way. When Danforth asks Abigail if what Mary says in her deposition is true, Abby has little problem lying and answering "no."

DANFORTH: Is it possible, child, that the spirits you have seen are illusion only, some deception that may cross your mind when – ?
ABIGAIL: Why, this – this – is a base question, sir.
DANFORTH: Child, I would have you consider it – .
ABIGAIL : I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a – .
DANFORTH: Child, I do not mistrust you – .
ABIGAIL: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Abigail puts on an impressive display of her power in the witch trials court, when she manipulates and openly threatens Judge Danforth. The powerful head of the court is landed with a headache when Mary Warren provides evidence that the girls were all lying when they spoke of seeing spirits and the Devil. But when Danforth questions Abigail on her truthfulness, warning that "to God every soul is precious and His vengeance is terrible on them that take life without cause," she shows who is the real power in the courtroom. Launching into a rant about being attacked by demonic spirits, the master manipulator threatens Danforth with accusations of being in league with the Devil. Abby knows that if anyone poses a threat to her, all she has to do is accuse them of witchcraft. She is also aware that Danforth and the court rely on her testimony to prove that those accused of witchcraft are guilty.

DANFORTH: Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!
ELIZABETH: No, sir.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. When Danforth asks Elizabeth Proctor about her husband’s adultery, she lies to the court in order to protect John and his reputation. She denies that he is a lecher, not knowing that he has already confessed to being one. The audience is aware of John’s confession, making this an example of dramatic irony.

DANFORTH: What is it, child? (But Abigail, pointing with fear, is now raising up her frightened eyes, her awed face, toward the ceiling – the girls are doing the same – and now Hathorne, Hale, Putnam, Cheever, Herrick, and Danforth do the same.) What’s there? (He lowers his eyes from the ceiling, and now he is frightened; there is real tension in his voice.) Child! (She is transfixed – with all the girls, she is whimpering open-mouthed, agape at the ceiling.) Girls! Why do you – ?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. The "yellow bird" scene in the courtroom shows how easily mass hysteria can grip an entire community and wipe out rational thought and common sense. It also shows how Abigail Williams exercises power over the girls and court officials. At the centre of the illusion is master manipulator Abby. As she imagines and invents a demonic bird on the courtroom rafters, even the learned and experienced Judge Danforth is taken in and petrified.

DANFORTH: A little while ago you were afflicted. Now it seems you afflict others; where did you find this power?
MARY WARREN: I – have no power.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. During her interrogation Mary Warren claims to have no power after Abby and her girls accuse her of attacking them with her spirit. This is an example of irony, Mary being a member of the original group of accusing girls who enjoyed considerable power in the witch trials court. But now Mary feels powerless, as stated in the stage directions: "Mary Warren, utterly confounded, and becoming overwhelmed by Abigail’s – and the girls’ – utter conviction, starts to whimper, hands half raised, powerless, and all the girls begin whimpering exactly as she does."

DANFORTH (to Proctor): What are you? You are combined with anti-Christ, are you not? I have seen your power; you will not deny it! What say you, Mister?
HALE: Excellency – .
DANFORTH: I will have nothing from you, Mr. Hale!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Judge Danforth accuses Proctor of being in league with the Antichrist, after Mary Warren finally breaks and names John a witch who is working for the Devil. The court has descended into chaos at this point, with Danforth adding to the frenzied atmosphere. He shuts off Hale when he tries to intervene and bring some reason into the proceedings.

DANFORTH: Will you confess yourself befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet? What say you?
PROCTOR: I say – I say – God is dead!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Danforth attempts to coerce John Proctor into confessing that he is working with the Devil, and John makes the shocking reply that God is dead. This is a reference to the statement of controversial German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. But Proctor is not speaking in the literal sense. He is being sarcastic and ironic. He means that God isn’t in charge in Salem anymore and evil has taken over and the Devil reigns. John has lost faith in the Putitans’ God and their version of justice and morality. He is expressing his disgust at the corruption of the court and the so-called men of God who practice injustice, dishonesty and unfairness.

You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 4. Danforth shows intransigence when Parris asks him to postpone the hangings and Hale calls for pardons for those who won’t confess. With great irony, Danforth says that after executing twelve already, pardoning the rest would not be just. This is his perverted idea of him being "fair." Danforth is not concerned about justice or that the accused waiting to be hanged may be innocent. He cares more about the damage that pardoning them would do to his reputation and that of the court. Throughout the witch trials Judge Danforth shows ruthlessness and is guilty of appalling abuse of judicial power.

I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed; the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. While I speak God’s law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. If retaliation is your fear, know this – I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of all the statues. Now draw yourselves up like men and help me, as you are bound by Heaven to do.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 4. The unbending presiding Judge Danforth rules out any possibility of pardon or postponement in the witch trials cases. His tone is full of the power and control he exercises over the Salem court. His merciless justice is expressed in the metaphor: "an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of all the statues." Danforth claims to speak for God, has ultimate power of life and death over people and is not shy to use it. After hanging twelve people already, he promises another seven hangings that day, and even boasts of hanging ten thousand if necessary. Pride and ego speak loudly in this speech, as he says postponement would show "floundering" or weakness on his part. He shows unwavering faith in his own infallibility and that of the court. He views himself as the instrument of divine justice, chosen by God to drive the Devil out of Salem and cleanse it of the evils of witchcraft. Postponement is personified in the passage as having the ability to speak.

HALE: Excellency, if you postpone a week and publish to the town that you are striving for their confessions, that speak mercy on your part, not faltering.
DANFORTH: Mr. Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 4. When Danforth is asked to delay the hangings, the Deputy Governor uses the language of religion in his reply to Reverend Hale. The passage is an allusion to the prophet Joshua who with God’s help stops the sun from rising. Hale is a man transformed who now wants to save lives instead of taking them unnecessarily. But the stubborn Danforth is not for turning.

HALE: Goody Proctor, I have gone this three month like our Lord into the wilderness. I have sought a Christian way, for damnation’s doubled on a minister who counsels men to lie.
HATHORNE: It is no lie, you cannot speak of lies.
HALE: It is a lie! They are innocent!
DANFORTH: I’ll hear no more of that!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 4. Reverend Hale has undergone a spiritual metamorphosis after spending some time away from the frenzied atmosphere of Salem’s witch hunts. The allusion to Christ’s 40 days and nights in the desert is used by Miller to portray Hale’s period of reflection away from the madness of Salem. Hale tells Elizabeth that he is counseling the accused witches to lie and confess to witchcraft, which is ironic for a clergyman. He wants her to persuade husband John to do just that to escape hanging. Hale is telling the court that he now believes the witchcraft accusations are a complete fraud. Judges Hathorne and Danforth refuse to accept that.
    • 1
    • 2
Close