The Crucible Reverend Hale Character Analysis

Evolution of Reverend Hale Throughout The Crucible The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a partially fictitious rendering of the colonial witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts. The Puritanical society creates characters of strong moral compasses, but who also take the Devil as seriously as they take God. All sins are severely punished and supernatural reports and behavior are not taken lightly. The play begins with Reverend Parris speaking about his discovery of his niece, daughter, and other village girls dancing in the woods over a fire. His daughter, Betty, has mysteriously fallen ill since the dancing was discovered. This occurrence sparks rumors of witchcraft around the village. Parris’ niece, Abigail, obsessed with her
When Hale first questions Abigail about the dancing in the woods she says there was no witchcraft involved, but Hale, wanting to discover witchcraft, continues to question her. Abigail uses Tituba as a scapegoat to avoid having retribution thrown her way. Hale takes the bait and follows suit in turning things on Tituba. “Instantly Abigail points at Tituba ABIGAIL: She made me do it! She made Betty do it!...She makes me drink blood!/HALE: You have sent your soul out upon this child, have you not? Are you gathering souls for the Devil?” (Miller 40-41) Abigail, painting herself as the victim, causes Hale to believe her and turn his interrogation on Tituba. He is caught up in the excitement of things and believes he has begun to discover witchcraft in Salem. He has studied supernatural beings and has no reason to think Abigail could be lying. This notion is furthered when Tituba, herself, confesses. “TITUBA: No, no, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir.” (Miller 42) Though her confession is somewhat coerced since the thought of a death sentence hangs in the air, Hale listens to her intently and buys every word. “HALE: You are God’s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us. You are selected, Tituba, you are chose to help us cleanse our village. So speak utterly, Tituba, turn your back on him and face God-face God,
“HALE: Excellency, if you postpone a week and publish to the town that you are striving for their confessions, that speaks mercy on your part, not faltering.” (Miller 120) By this point, some of the best people the village has to offer are scheduled to be hanged. Hale begs Danforth to lengthen their jail sentences, so he can convince them to falsely confess and save their lives. Danforth refuses on the grounds that it would be unfair to the 12 who have already hanged. The citizens of Salem are encapsulated in a flurry of fear. Hale blames himself for everyone who has died and everyone who is on death row. “HALE: There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!...I would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer.” (Miller 121-122) Hale is driven by his desire to rectify the situation in anyway he can. It is no longer about his pursuance of the Devil and courtroom justice. His humanity has surfaced. Hale’s sole worry now is saving those on death row, by any means