the wolves into the fold, he joined in the attack. Now the wolves are in trouble, and Parris is left without a friend in the world.It's hard to feel sorry for the Reverend Samuel Parris. But there is something pathetic about a man who is so insecure that he has to persecute others to save his own skin.^^^^^^^^^^THE CRUCIBLE: DEPUTY GOVERNOR DANFORTHOverall, Deputy Governor Danforth does more damage in this play than anyone else, even Abigail Williams. As Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, he is the second most powerful man in the province. As head of the court, he has the authority to try, convict, and execute anyone he sees fit. Abigail may "cry out" innocent people as witches; Danforth hangs them.Some would say he is a rigid man, especially in his sticking to the letter of the law. In Act III he will not let Giles Corey submit his evidence unless it is in proper affidavit form. In Act IV, unless John Proctor will sign a written confession, it is no confession. In everything he does, Danforth is most concerned with staying within the precise limits of the statutes.But look at what he's faced with. To him "there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country," and he is willing to use every ounce of his prodigious power to prevent that from happening. If he gives in the slightest bit, God's whole defensive line will break. Considering the way he sees the situation, it takes tremendous strength and courage to stand so firm against such formidable attack.And don't forget that to the Puritans the law, with which Danforth seems so obsessed, was made not by man but by God. Massachusetts at this time is a theocracy--a government ordained by God as his "visible Kingdome" on Earth. Reverend Hale is thinking exactly like Danforth when, he tells Proctor in Act II:Theology [literally, "God's word"], sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small.Even bending the law a little is dangerous business, especially at such a dangerou...
