12 ANGRY MEN

SUMMARIZING
Three says that the others won’t intimidate him and that it will be a hung jury. Eight says
that there is nothing the rest of them can do about that. Nine comments that it takes a
lot of courage to stand alone, which echoes his earlier admiration for Eight’s ability to do
so, while showing that he doesn’t believe Three is capable of standing alone. Four says
that with a hung jury there will be another trial, but, in the meantime, some of the jurors
will bring these considerations to the defense lawyers, which will help the accused in the
retrial.
EVENT IS HAPPENING
Nine echoes his words from early in the play about the courage of standing alone,
placing Three in contrast to Eight. Whereas Eight took a stand (a stand he was willing to
sacrifice if everyone still disagreed with him during the second vote), Three is being
stubborn. His refusal has no reasons behind it other than personal animosity. Eight’s
was a refusal based on not yet being given the chance to see evidence. Three’s is a
refusal to see that evidence.
Characters
Juror 4: A self-confident man who is clearly used to being listened to, Four is identified
by marks of wealth and intelligence. Although he is a strong supporter of the guilt of the
accused until nearly the end of the play, he is more rational and level headed than most
of the other jurors. He is the only one to present successful counter-arguments to the
persuasive observations of eight.
Juror 9: An elderly, good-natured man, nine is compassionate and thoughtful, unlike
many of the other jurors. He is the first to change his “guilty” vote to “not guilty” during
the secret ballot vote. He does so primarily because he respects Eight’s courage in
standing alone and wants to have the chance to see the case fully discussed.
THEME
CERTAINTY AND DOUBT