Herrick enters and asks John how he pleads. John says that he wants his life, and therefore will confess. He looks on to Elizabeth for a final decision, and she simply says that he must be his own judge. Herrick runs down the hall for the others to come, yelling that Proctor will confess.
Hathorne, Danforth, Cheever, Parris, and Hale all enter. Danforth tells Cheever to start writing everything down and Proctor wants to know why. Danforth says that they are going to hang it on the church door for everyone to see. John is uncomfortable with this. Danforth proceeds by asking him if he saw the Devil, and John says that he did. They bring Rebecca Nurse in to watch John. They hope that she will confess after seeing him confess. Danforth asks John another question about having had relations with the Devil and Rebecca is astonished. John is overcome with humiliation to lie in front of Rebecca, but he still confesses. She cannot believe her eyes. Danforth tries to get her to confess, but she still refuses, by saying that it is a lie. Danforth continues by asking John if he ever saw Rebecca or any of the other people on the list of names with the Devil. He says that he did not. Danforth does not like this, for he thinks John must have seen someone with the Devil. John says he cannot judge another person.
They finally agree to let him go, as long as he sign his name to the paper that will go up on the church door. He signs the paper, but refuses to give it back to Danforth for it to be hung up. He says that he is ashamed of his name on a paper that lies and he does not want his children to see his name on that paper. John rips the paper, and Danforth demands that he must hang. Elizabeth rushes for him and weeps in his arms. He says,
"'I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them! Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!'" Act 4, Scene 4, pg. 133
Herrick escorts them out and Hale pleads with Elizabeth to go to John and try to change his mind. She refuses and says that he has goodness now, and she will not take it away. The scene ends.
