answersLogoWhite

0

Having portrayed the role of Judge Hathorne at the Rochester Opera House, I did some research on the real-life character.

Judge John Hathorne was not what we'd call "Mr. Nice Guy"! While he was clearly clever and educated, he was also not a very happy man at the time of the Salem witch trials. Consider that he was the sitting judge in the village of Salem. Once word reached Boston of the hysteria that was taking place in Salem, Judge Danforth (who was also the Deputy Governor) was sent up to Salem in order to take charge of the proceedings. This relegated Hathorne to "second fiddle", so to speak, as witnessed by the fact he had to ask Danforth for permission to question Mary Warren.

After the trials, most of the judges (including Danforth) recanted for their actions. Hathorne...alone... went to the grave (in 1717) without ever recanting for his actions. He truly believed that he had done the work of God.

EDIT:

Clearly, his great-grandson disagreed about what "god" wanted. The famous Nathaniel Hawthorne was born Hathorne. He added the "W" to distance himself from his infamous ancestor.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Performing Arts

Who is on trial when Giles Corey interrupts the court?

Martha Corey is on trial. She was put on trial in Salem, Massachusetts as part of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the 1600s.


How does the Salem witch trial relate to The Crucible?

The Crucible is a fictional work ABOUT the Salem Witch Trials.


In the crucible why does miller includes about land disputes?

Miller used the real Salem trial records as one of the sources of his play. In the records there were land disputes among Putnam and others.


What does Mary warren say about the trial provide a quote what role is she playing in the trial?

Mary Warren, in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," expresses her belief that the trial is unjust and that the accusations are based on hysteria rather than truth. She states, "I cannot, I cannot... I am too afraid." This indicates her role as a conflicted character caught between the pressure of the other girls and her conscience, as she oscillates between supporting the court's proceedings and recognizing their inherent injustice. Ultimately, her testimony reflects the fear and manipulation present in the Salem witch trials.


When and Where did Sarah good sayI saw the apparition of Sarah Good who did most grievously afflict you by pinching and pricking you?

Sarah Good reportedly claimed to have seen the apparition of herself during the Salem witch trials in 1692. This statement was made in the context of her trial, where she was accused of witchcraft and the affliction of several young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts. Her defense included asserting that her spirit was being used to harm others, which was a common defense among those accused during this period.