The Actions of Judge Danforth in The Crucible Essay

In any community, the people rely on the power of law and justice to protect them. When the guardians of the law and order misuse their power it brings tragedy upon the town. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible the inappropriate actions of the character of Judge Danforth, the voice of authority of the community leads to the tragedy of social disruption of the town accompanied by breakdown in communal solidarity. Firstly, throughout the play Judge Danforth acts with pride and arrogance. At the commencement of act III Judge Danforth voices his view on the ongoing phase of the witchcraft trials by stating that â€Å"Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?† (Miller 85). Here Danforth†¦show more content†¦His reply is accompanied with a vindictive nature towards anyone who opposes the actions of the court or by extension, him. Therefore, his arrogance and pride restrains him from listening to others point of view. Lastly, despite hearing about the mass opposition and rebellion at the Andover witchcraft trials, Judge Danforth refuses to postpone the hangings and orders Reverend Parris that â€Å"Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more†¦ Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part.† (Miller 129). Danforth arrogantly waves off the request of postponement made by Hale and Parris. He thinks that the act of postponement of the hangings will raise the issue of his credibility as a judge. Danforth’s pride of his status as a judge denies him from giving it a thought that his actions can lead to the death of innocent lives. When pride and arrogance interferes with ones wisdom the repercussions are often destructive. Judge Danforth proves this through the medium of his actions which lead to the destruction of trustworthiness in the community and brought tragedy to Salem. Secondly, Judge Danforth’s irrationality and ignorance brings about poor decisions on his part. One of the instances where Danforth reveals his following attitude is when he denies to even look at a deposition presented by John Proctor as described by his words â€Å" No, no, I accept no depositions† (Miller 88). John Proctor hands him a deposition signed by Mary warren, stating thatShow MoreRelatedEssay about Who is Responsible for the Salem Tragedy?770 Words   |  4 Pagesjoke for one that is rich and powerful, and misfortune for needy. In the book, The Crucible by Arthur Miller has certain characters and beliefs that is a part of a huge calamity. It was labeled as the Salem Tragedy because in Salem, plebeians and uninvolved people were accused for witchcraft they never committed. Nineteen people were hanged and liable for the witchcraft. A character in The Crucible, Danforth, honest in his own perception is one of the attribution for the Salem tragedy. 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