In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," Abigail Williams is a key figure in the Salem witch trials. She is a young woman who has been accused of practicing witchcraft, and she is determined to clear her name and avoid punishment. In order to do so, she must manipulate and deceive those around her, including Judge Danforth, the man in charge of the trials.
One way that Abigail threatens Danforth is by accusing others of witchcraft and making false claims against them. She knows that the court will take her accusations seriously, and she uses this to her advantage by pointing the finger at those she sees as a threat to her own reputation. For example, she accuses Elizabeth Proctor, the wife of her former employer, John Proctor, of witchcraft in an attempt to get rid of a perceived rival. She also accuses Mary Warren, a servant in the Proctor household, of being a witch in order to silence her when she tries to confess that the accusations are false.
Another way that Abigail threatens Danforth is by manipulating the other girls in the town, who have also been accused of witchcraft. She convinces them to go along with her accusations, and they support her lies by pretending to be possessed by the spirits of those they have accused. This creates a sense of chaos and fear in the courtroom, and it makes it difficult for Danforth to determine the truth.
In addition to these tactics, Abigail also threatens Danforth by using her youth and femininity to her advantage. She is a young and attractive woman, and she knows that she can use this to her advantage by flirting with and manipulating the men around her. She uses this tactic to try to win over Danforth and convince him to believe her accusations.
Overall, Abigail poses a significant threat to Danforth and the credibility of the Salem witch trials. She is willing to do whatever it takes to avoid punishment and protect her own reputation, even if it means lying and manipulating those around her.
What two things does Danforth learn about Abigail during questioning?
Danforth rules the courtroom like a dictator. How does Mary eventually respond to their actions? Only when Proctor accuses Abigail of being a whore does she end her fit and lose credibility with Danforth. How does the questioning of Mary Warren differ from the questioning of Abigail? What test does Danforth device to determine why Abigail was put out of the proctor house? Her specific answer to Danforth is this: If I must answer that, I will leave and I will not come back again! Danforth, shocked, considers whether to accept this testimony in court. Parris is forced to admit he saw them dancing. In conclusion, Mary Warren knows what is right and what is wrong. While modern audiences many find the idea of witches laughable, Danforth reflects his time, an era when many people believed in witches and witchcraft, although it should be noted that Miller makes it clear that at least a few of the residents of Salem are skeptical of witches. His gullibility is exceeded only by his self-righteousness.
Why does Mary fail in her plan to reveal the truth court?
While Abigail attempts to act superior and above reproach, she reveals her childlike personality by attempting to run away from the consequences of her actions. What test does Danforth devise to determine why Abigail was put out of the Proctor House? Governor Danforth represents rigidity and an over-adherence to the law in The Crucible. Danforth represents the evil of blind certainty in the play: he refuses to accept the truth because to do so would humiliate him. She did this because she was scared for her life. Offstage, Judge Hathorne and Deputy Governor Danforth question Martha Corey. Tragically, Elizabeth lies by testifying that her husband did not commit adultery, which dooms John and influences Reverend Hale to quit the court. Next, Corey provides a deposition that quotes a witness who heard Thomas Putnam say he had his daughter charge a man with witchcraft in order to get his land.
'The Crucible' Character Study: Who is Judge Danforth?
Giles Corey suddenly shouts that he has evidence that Thomas Putnam is using the trials to get more land. Corey is dragged from the courtroom and onto the stage , followed by Francis Nurse, Hale, Parris, Hathorne, and Danforth. In threatening Judge Danforth, the reader becomes fully aware of how the trials are more about what she wants than anything else. How does Danforth equate the court with the church? Mary uses excuses to avoid trouble and gain some power through this. Proctor admits his affair with Abigail and says Elizabeth dismissed her because of it. When Abigail is suspected of pretending, she denies it and actually threatens Deputy Governor Danforth, the man presiding over these proceedings.
The Crucible: Judge Danforth
When Danforth questions Abigail, she responds by saying, "If I must answer that, I will leave and I will not come back again! Why does Mary Warren not want to help Proctor Free Elizabeth? Asks Elizabeth to testify without consulting her husband. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Now, you—sit up and stop this! Danforth orders Proctor arrested. Furious, Proctor calls Abigail a whore. How does Abigail manipulate Danforth? Danforth plans to arrest and question them. Danforth demands that Proctor confess his allegiance to Hell. Rather than adamantly deny having an affair with John, she threatens to leave the courtroom.
In The Crucible, what is strange about Abigail's denial of being a harlot when Danforth questions her?
So far, everyone else has had to answer Danforth until he is satisfied with his line of questioning. She explains: before, when she was surrounded by screaming girls and judges who seemed to believe in the spirits, she thought she actually saw spirits, and so could faint. She admits that the poppet is her own and that Abigail saw her sewing it, and had even seen her store the needle inside. How is Mary Warren selfish? Abigail's body language communicates that she cleaves to the trust that Danforth has had for her, and that she shows suspicion of others, namely Proctor. The fact that she does not provide Danforth with a direct answer is also odd and she behaves like she is in charge of the proceedings.
How does Abigail threaten Mr Danforth?
Does Abigail threaten Danforth? And you know I cando it; I saw Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow nextto mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I canmake you wish you had never seen the sun go down! While they wait, Danforth instructs everyone to remain absolutely still and silent and to make no signs of any sort. When Abigail is suspected of pretending, she denies it and actually threatens Deputy Governor Danforth, the man presiding over these proceedings. Abigail denies it and claims that Mary Warren is lying not telling the truth. In the end, Mary Warren is still a villain through her selfish and inconsiderate actions in the play. Abigail not only feels entitled and privileged but she also refuses to challenge John face-to-face.
