Crucible HW p.128-145 Giles is my boy.

"You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just" (129) Judge Danforth

For having final say on the Salem Witch Trials and being the voice of God in this matter, Danforth's thinking here is absurd. He says that it is not just if he does not kill those who are still accused, for it would be unfair to those who have already been killed. Just because others have been killed does not mean he has to kill the rest of the accused, especially after finding a breakthrough in the evidence. He is just trying to save shame from marring his name.  This continues the whole "importance of reputation" theme.

"Mr. Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment" (130) Judge Danforth

Danforth seems to take advantage of the power God has supposedly "put upon him". He compares himself to the biblical figure of Joshua, who led God's people to conquer the Promised Land. Personally, Danforth has not shown any sort of leadership. He may be assertive of his power, but this does not mean he is a good leader. He judges only with the concern that nothing taints his name. He believes he has to punish the accused because God told him to, just as Joshua was told to do to the Canaanites. This time in biblical history does show a "bad" God who ordered the genocide of a whole people just so the Israelites could have their land. This connects to Danforth who orders the death of the accused witches just to protect his own name. Knowing God to be the essence of goodness, I feel that the actions of Judge Danforth are then despicable.  

Questions:

1) Would Proctor have gone ahead with the confession if Rebecca Nurse did not get into his head?

2) Is Elizabeth still angry at John for his lechery?