Crucible Essay

Hu-bris: n. Overbearing pride. Greek, excessive pride. The term “hubris” also known as excessive pride is a main theme in the play, “The Crucible”. The play was written by Arthur Miller, it is about the Salem witch trials and deciding who will live, while others perish. Three main characters in, “The Crucible”, are Reverend Hale, Elizabeth Proctor, and John Proctor, these three are the characters that display the most pride. The first character is Reverend Hale. Reverend Hale came to the town of Salem after being called to help with the few girls who had danced in the forest with Tituba. Hale knew how to cure the girls and with that type of ability does come with a high amount of pride. “Goody Proctor, I have gone this three month like our Lord into the wilderness. I have sought a Christian way, for damnation's doubled on a minister who counsels men to lie” (Miller 232). Hale talks highly of himself which is not necessarily a bad thing but it does reflect on his character. In return for how is pride shows he ends up quitting the court after John is convicted. "Hale: I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!" (Miller 234). Hale quits because innocent people are being accused and he has set up many people to die when there is no proof. Hale’s pride is definitely justified, instead of letting it get to his head he stopped once he realized what was really happening. The second character to have a high level of pride is Elizabeth Proctor. When Elizabeth came into court she was asked if her husband John had committed adultery. “No, sir”... “Elizabeth, I have confessed it!” (Miller 223). Elizabeth lied for her husband to keep the pride she had and to keep him off the hook. In the end of the play her husband is set to be hanged, the play’s last line is her showing she is finally at peace. “He have goodness now, God forbid I take it from him” (Miller 240). She feels confident in John’s decisions and that nothing will hold them back anymore.