When Proctor recites his long paragraph and tries to, ‘ keep himself from weeping,’ I would stare at him not letting my eyes wander anywhere else, by doing this I would show the audience that I know that Proctor is hiding something and it would make the whole plot a lot more interesting. Throughout the whole of the speech I would leaf forward onto the desk in front of me and rest my chin on my clenched fist, making sure I n ever missed a single word proctor said. I would do this because after the speech the stage directions state: ‘ blanched, in horror turning to Abigail’, this gives me the impression that Danforth listened to every word of what Proctor had to say and that he was very interested in it so by posing in this way it would show this. Referring to the same stage directions it is clear that Danforth is taken back by proctor’s speech but realises Abigail will completely disagree, I would look at Abigail suddenly turning by neck sharply and staring into her eyes deeply, I would then say, ‘ You deny every scrap of this’, in a way which practically tells her that she does.
After Abigail’s reply I would blink my eyes slowly, bite my bottom lip and rest the tip of my four fingers on my bottom lip,’ Danforth seems unsteady’. I would move in my seat just a little but then settle again showing how restless I was. When Abigail shows her confidence towards Danforth by standing up to him I would look shocked and intimidated. I would open my mouth slightly and raise my eyebrows as if to say something but then swallow again and look down, ‘ Danforth cannot speak’. When Abigail attempts to walk out I would straighten my jacket, clear my throat making a little sound and confidently summon Abigail back into the room, I would say it confidently because it is clear by the language Arthur Miller has used, ‘ You will remain where you are,’ that he meant this line to be commanding and authoritative.
After that embarrassing incident where Danforth lost his superiority in the court, he tries to regain it again with Parris. When Parris objects Danforth’s commands I would hammer my fist on the desk and show frightening, fiery, meaningful eyes towards Parris, ‘ sharply to Parris,’ Danforth now realises that he has regained power in the court and he tries to put everything into strict order, ‘ Knock before you come in’.
When Danforth says, ‘your wife, you say she is a honest women,’ I would say it in an un forceful way because Danforth is asking Proctor’s side of the story and Danforth is assuming that she is an honest women which is a good thing.
When Danforth says, ‘ Now let neither of you turn to face Goody proctor. No one in this room is to speak a word, or raise a gesture aye or nay,’ I would say it in a commanding way as the words which Danforth says are all orders which are strict. I would say the line in different pitches and volumes. I would emphasise some words and say the less important ones quietly, this would make sure that all of the statement is understood and recognised it also shows a commanding and authoritative method of controlling the argumentative victims of the court.
When Danforth comes across Elizabeth he would obviously notice her nervousness, as Elizabeth says everything, ‘ faintly’. Danforth reacts to this and realises that she must be hiding something and asks her short, snappy questions to try and get it out of her. I would say this questions in a hard, forceful way making sure she did answer them truthfully. When Danforth catches her looking at Proctor, he says, ‘ You will look in my eyes only and not your husband,’ I would say shout this at the top of my voice because the words are very forceful in themselves and this would hopefully make her jump out of her skin as well as the rest of the court.
Danforth calls Elizabeth ‘ woman’ I would say this with force, as it is rather rude and patronising. It is clear that Danforth realises that if he shouts at Elizabeth she will listen, so everything he says to her should be with energy and strength.
When it is clear to Danforth that Elizabeth is panicking and is unable not to look at proctor, ‘ She glances at Proctor for a cue’ I would place my hands parallel in front of my and lean over my hands, getting as close as I can to Elizabeth, I would look her directly in the eyes making sure she can not look any where else as it is clear Danforth is getting infuriated by Elizabeth constantly looking at her husband, Proctor.
As I begin to question Elizabeth about Abigail I would raise my voice, as this is what Danforth really cares about. When Danforth says, ‘ Your husband – did he indeed turn from you?’ I would look at Abigail, Proctor and Elizabeth, I would say it in a sensitive way to try and make Elizabeth respond truthfully to it.
Suddenly the whole atmosphere becomes tense, when Elizabeth says, ‘ My husband – is a goodly man, sir’ it is clear that she is not telling the truth, Danforth realises this so I would raise my voice, Danforth just wants Elizabeth to say yes or no to the situation. Danforth, at this stage would be extremely infuriated and would become out of control, ‘ reaches out and holds her face.’ I would shout the rest of the speech and point my finger sharply very close to her face because every word he says is extremely forceful and commanding,’ Answer my question.’
When Elizabeth replies, ‘ faintly’ Danforth knows she has fallen into the trap, I would stand up immediate and point towards the door when I say, ‘ Remove her marshal’. I would shake my head in dismay as I watched Elizabeth lye for he husband, I would say, ‘ She spoke nothing of lechery, and this man has lied,’ in a strong way as it is clear by the way Arthur Miller has written it that Danforth wants this to be the end and that his word is final. I would point again at the door and freeze in my position showing the end of the chapter.
