In the opening of Act Three we learn that Danforth has sentenced seventy-two people to hang, just as it was said that he would in Act Two by Elizabeth Proctor. And nearly four hundred people have been sentenced to jail. Already we can see that Danforth does not falter. He gets on with what he is supposed to do with no hesitation. Also at the beginning of this Act, Miller makes it clear that Danforth is very conscious of his own reputation and authority; he asks Francis Nurse. “Do you know that near to four hundred are in jail… upon my signature… and seventy-two condemned to hang?” By putting this at the start of the Act, Miller may be trying to get the idea that Danforth is proud of his reputation, and may use it to prove that he is right and whoever is opposing him is wrong. Here is another example of this : “This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?” He also says a similar thing to Francis Nurse to establish his authority.
At the start of Act Three Danforth is faced with Giles Corey, whose wife has been sentenced to hang, trying to prove his wife’s innocence. Danforth feels that Corey is trying to determine what the court shall believe and what it shall set aside. This is shown in Danforth’s words. “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?” These words are filled with authority and contribute to the idea of Danforth’s reputation and authority making him proud. Mr. Corey pleads for his wife to be spared, uneasily Danforth says, after it is said that he has hard evidence, “Then let him submit his evidence in proper affidavit.” It seems as though in this situation Miller has chosen to make Danforth seem to not be understanding and fair. This makes him seem cold. Yet, I assume that Danforth thinks that Mr. Corey is wasting time for an attempt to prove an innocence, which cannot be proven. Danforth says for Corey’s hard evidence to be properly submitted, instead of shouted out during a court session. He may think that he mustn’t falter and needs to get on with his job.
Shortly after, Francis Nurse tells Danforth of the girls and his suspicion of them being frauds. Danforths reacts to this shocked. The reason for this may be that due to his religious background he does in fact believe in witches and spirits and does believe that something is going on. But, what Francis Nurse says simply is the opposite of what Danforth believes.
At the point of John Proctor’s entry Reverend Parris starts to continually try to shape Danforth’s beliefs. Trying to turn him against Proctor, warning him of Proctor’s mischievous capabilities. Hale, urges Danforth to listen to Mary Warren. But, Proctor speaks for her and tells Danforth, “She never saw no spirits, sir.” Danforth reacts to this, again with great alarm and surprise. This also contradicts what Danforth already believes. He is so surprised because he strongly believes that something is going on and that spirits are involved. After Proctor has spoken Danforth already attempts to prove him wrong. Danforth probably wants to maintain his reputation and wants to twist everything so that he is right and everyone else is wrong.
When Danforth learns that Proctor doesn’t go to church and that he ploughs on a Sunday, Hale tries to defend Proctor squeezing in, “Your Honour, I cannot think you may judge the man on such evidence.” I am sure that Danforth finds Hale irritating and intrusive. Miller does to try and show Danforth’s response to Hale. Hale, like Parris tries to shape Danforth’s opinions.
Proctor confesses to lechery and Elizabeth Proctor is called upon to prove his confession is true. But, she denies it. Danforth chooses to take her first response without giving her time to think. He may be doing this because he feels that it is not an important issue and that John Proctor is lying and is untrustworthy. He may have only confessed to lechery to get Abigail Williams in trouble.
By this point Danforth is most probably feeling a little bit confused. What contributes to this is when Mary Warren is spoken to. Mary Warren had taken a hand-made poppet, made by her, back to the Proctor household where it was found with a pin in it in Act Two. Mary Warren’s innocence is fumbled when Abigail and the other girls pretend to be witnessing her spirits attacking, or threatening them. Danforth is convinced by the girls’ performances he believes that Mary warren has in fact sent her spirits out to harm the girls. Danforth accuses Mary because he is utterly convinced.
My view on Danforth is that he believes what he wants, does what he wants and is proud of his authority and reputation. I think, also that this is the attitude that Arthur Miller intends you to have.
Word count (essay itself): 1,032
