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.
The Crucible: Judge Danforth
What terrible error does Elizabeth make? As she's being led away, Proctor shouts out that he confessed. What does Danforth do with the list of people supporting Rebecca and Martha? Does Abigail threaten Danforth? 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. Danforth demands that Proctor confess his allegiance to Hell. In threatening Judge Danforth, the reader gains a true sense of that determination, an intrinsic part of her Another revelation that is evident when Abigail threatens Judge Danforth is that Abigail is the center of the Salem Witch Trials. Furthermore, Abigail never directly answers Danforth with a 'yes' or 'no'.
In The Crucible, when Abigail threatens Judge Danforth, what does this reveal to readers about her character?
Danforth plans to arrest and question them. Corey is dragged from the courtroom and onto the stage , followed by Francis Nurse, Hale, Parris, Hathorne, and Danforth. Elizabeth hesitates, agonizing, then says no. Now she realizes she never saw them, and can't faint. Danforth seems to believe Mary and turns back to question Abigail, but Abigail suddenly shudders and claims to feel a cold wind. Abigail goes on the attack when questioned.
'The Crucible' Character Study: Who is Judge Danforth?
The other girls follow suit. Danforth represents the evil of blind certainty in the play: he refuses to accept the truth because to do so would humiliate him. Now, you—sit up and stop this! What test does Danforth devise to determine why Abigail was put out of the Proctor House? Offstage, Judge Hathorne and Deputy Governor Danforth question Martha Corey. Proctor then condemns himself as a devil, because he resisted fighting against what he knew to be false. Proctor even gives specific information about their affair and confesses that his infidelity is the reason Elizabeth kicked Abigail out of their home. As a result, it becomes clear that Proctor does not stand a chance. Social conventions, ethical notions of the good, and even the law do not stand in the way of what she covets.
What two things does Danforth learn about Abigail during questioning?
She admits that the poppet is her own and that Abigail saw her sewing it, and had even seen her store the needle inside. 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 problem is whether or not Mary Warren will testify against Abigail in open court. Why does Danforth find it hard to believe that Abigail could be pretending? When Elizabeth enters, Danforth asks her whether Abigail and Proctor had an affair. Danforth had not heard this before, and begins to doubt. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Despite his intelligence and prestige, Danforth is the most deluded character in the play.
