Reverend Hale’s Metamorphosis In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, it is clear that Reverend John Hale of Beverly is the character that undergoes the most dramatic transformation and is a perfect example of how a well-respected, strong willed man can be changed due to deceit and lies. His reputation and control in the play moves between two extremes as the events continue- shifting from confident accuser to helper of the accused. Hale’s arrival during Act I in Salem depicts him as character full of confidence and eager to utilize his knowledge of witchcraft and he is clear of his intentions. “This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride of one specialist whose unique knowledge has at …show more content…
I – I have indeed. [It is his own suspicion, but he resists it. He glances at Elizabeth, then at John]”. His stutter suggests that he is reluctant to reply to Proctor but ultimately he agrees. This quote reveals to us that Hale is questioning the confessions of the girls for the first time. During this period we see Hale’s belief in the girl’s story beginning to change as he begins to support Proctor. Hale’s loss of control is also demonstrated in Act II through his lack of knowledge on the current situation. When Cheever stated that Elizabeth has been charged, Hale had no awareness of this accusation and has to ask Cheever “When were she charged?” unlike the beginning of the play when everyone asked Hale questions. Rebecca’s charge also surprises Hale which once again proves that he is no longer in control of the situation like he was at the beginning. Hale further questions the actions of the court and the genuineness of the accusations here as he cannot believe that such supposedly innocent and holy people are being accused. Hale’s actions are very indefinite and he speaks “in great uncertainty” which reflects his loss of control and completely contrasts the manner in which he spoke towards the beginning of the play. His “uncertainty” is further proof of him beginning to question the justice of the events and his beliefs. Once again, we see Hale’s lack of control and loss of reputation in Act III. During the court processions
Hale’s pride shows through his ability to detect “witchcraft”. He wants the people convicted of witchcraft to confess. He feels he is responsible because he begins to kill innocent people instead of tracking down the source of witchcraft. He thinks of himself
Finally, Hale shows how he sticks up for what’s right at the end of the story when John Proctor is put on trial for witchcraft. When Hale goes against the court, he also is trying to save John from being hanged. During the trial Hale defensively says, “I believe him! This girl has always struck me false” (Miller 1311). This shows how Hale is sticking up for what’s right by helping an honest man. In act IV Hale tries to save John again by
“Why it is simple I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!” (201). This quote is so powerful to the audience, Hale is admitting he feels guilty. He feels he has killed innocent people. How many people had to die for him to finally realize? In act four, Hale also begs Elizabeth Proctor into getting her to make John confess. Elizabeth would argue that it isn’t her job to control him. “You know, do you not, that I have no connection with the court? I come of my own, Goody Proctor. I would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murdered. Do you understand me?” (202). Hale is saying he has no connection to the court's decisions. He comes to help Salem not destroy it. If John decides not to confess, and gets hung, Hale won’t think he did enough to help him, he could’ve done more. If John dies, with Hale knowing he’s an innocent man, Hale will call himself John’s
Truth is oftentimes glazed over or obscured by the sweet words of the manipulator, and the journey to discover it is painful in the mental aspect by challenging one’s mindset or morals. To those who have faith in truth, however, it can be a savior shining a light onto the path of righteousness. In the play The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, the eloquent lies of a single girl by the name of Abigail expands into full-blown witch trials where minister Reverend Hale is brought in to examine the markings of those tainted by the Devil. Within his time spent in the ominous village of Salem, the lies exposed to him begin to query his life-long standings of the Bible and God. As he further uncovers the truths, Hale’s role in the Salem Witch Trials undergoes a dramatic transformation from a certain accuser, to a precarious bystander, to the defender of the tried.
In this act, and with much consideration (adverb phase #2), Reverend Hale seems to be less full of himself, and more hesitant. He talks about how he has a difficult time drawing “a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court,” because he doesn’t know the people of their town (adverb phrase #3) (Miller 1169). This is only one of Hale’s problems as the play keeps moving along. Act three brings more complications and hesitance from Hale. Proctor’s wife has now been seized and taken to court, along with others accused of witchcraft. During these court sessions, Reverend Hale is beginning (gerund #2) to realize that the court really is unfair (noun clause #1). For example, even though evidence is given by Giles Corey (adjective clause #2), the judge refuses to accept (infinitive #2) it and simply asks for more evidence (Miller 1195). Now, Hale is starting to become frustrated. He’s also beginning to realize that he has made some aberrations (noun clause #2). When John Proctor is sentenced to be hanged for witchcraft, Hale respondes to the prejudice court by declaring , “I denounce these proceedings! I quit this court!” (Miller 1213), and proceeds to walk out of the courthouse. This is only the beginning of Hale’s
Furthermore, Reverend Hale was pushed to change also. Hale came into Salem a stranger, but knew how to fix the problem the town endured. He never questioned that God had a plan and always thought that something was either good or bad, with no gray area in between. This thinking is challenged when Elizabeth, a pure person, is accused and then later when John confesses. He knows that these people are honest and leaves the court for a period of time. In the end, Hale is a desperate man, and even though knowing there is no witchcraft present, he urges John to admit that he is not the one that should be punished. He has to question all the rules he has lived by his whole life and pursue something he knows is incorrect. In essence, Reverend Hale is pushed to his limits and is turned into a man that will be permanently in suspicion of any standards he ever thought were true.
Parris is the first of many in Salem to “catch” Hale’s overconfidence. Because of Hale’s influence, Parris begins to become the most fervent witch hunter in Salem. Act 1 serves as a very effective introduction of Hale and the themes related to him, as it shows how quickly confidence can spread and threaten a community.
“Hale began to be tormented by doubts early in the proceedings” (overview). It was not until his wife was accused to be a witch, did Hale begin to realize the inconsistency with the accusations being made against certain people. Seeing John Proctor arrested for witchcraft and finding out Abigail was a fraud also raised uncertainty. Most of the reputations of the people being accused did not match up with the evil acts they were said to have done. The true reasoning behind all accusations became clear. It was all just for vengeance. As Hale said, “I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance, I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court” (Act 2). He was acknowledging that he was not very familiar with the town, therefore, it is hard for him to be able to know if the accusations are valid or just another form of revenge. This made him question all the final decisions he has made. Realizing he ended the lives of many innocent people lay a heavy burden on his shoulders. It helped Hale change for the
Lastly, when he knows he cannot postpone the hangings, he tries to persuade Proctor and the others to lie so that they can live. Hale goes to Elizabeth and pleads with her to tell her husband to lie; this is Hale’s final desperation. He says to Elizabeth, “You know do you not, that
Eventually, as readers read through Act 3 and Act 4 we see Hale’s character traits, for example compassion and empathy, at work. “Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle below on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hang everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots‘ cry will end his life—and you wonder yet if
Another pivotal development in the plot of the play is the reactions of Mr. hale to the happenings in Salem. He is a man of integrity, although at times misguided and overzealous, he is willing to change his mind when confronted with the truth. Despite this admirable trait, he lacks the moral conviction to act against proceedings that will condemn innocent people to death. He comes to realize that John Proctor is
Reverend Hale was a complex character whose changes could be observed through his actions and motivations. Hale shifted from being a devote Puritan to abandoning his faith entirely. He went from fully believing in the trials to damning them and becoming consumed by guilt because of them. Hale’s complexity adds to the play by showing how intense the trials were and how even the most devote were
Reverend Hale is another character that changes during the course of "The Crucible." Upon his entrance in the midst of Act I, he is depicted as a strong, knowledgeable intellect. His intelligence seems to leave no room for compassion. This is evident by his interrogations which took place during Act III, the Trial, as well as the biographical information provided in Act I of "The Crucible." However, his emotions do come out in Act IV. He appears sympathetic and kindhearted while begging the women in prison to confess to save their lives.
The Crucible written by Arthur Miller is a play that takes place in the sixteen nineties during the famous but tragic witch trials. Reverend Hale who is a minister and an expert of the demonic arts and witchcraft is sent from East Hanover to Salem where there is a spreading fear of witchcraft. When Hale arrives in Salem he finds the entire town in total chaos. At the beginning Hale is adamant in believing that they’re where witches and that nothing but good could come of his being there. Near the end when the truth has been exposed, Hale with so much blood on his head pleads : ‘‘ I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on
Over the course of the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Reverend Hale has changed dramatically from the start of the play to the end. At first, Hale is convinced that he is an expert of witchcraft and the truth is found in his books. He also comes into Salem putting his faith into the court. As the play goes on, Hale questions his belief because he realizes that many people are being convicted without definite evidence. In the end of the play, Hale has no faith in the court. He realizes many people innocent people have died through the courts rulings and therefore he can not be a part of it. Hale’s character has changed significantly throughout the