The Crucible John Hale Analysis

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Miller’s play, The Crucible, is a fictional representation of the Salem Witch Trials, which occurred from 1692-1693 in colonial Massachusetts. He wrote the play to humanize the people involved, and to try and interpret their possible motivations to do all that they did. One particular character Miller focuses on is Reverend John Hale. Hale first appears in Act One, when the citizens of Salem summon him for his expertise on witchcraft. His presence sparks the witch hunts within Salem. Hale goes from being the main accuser and the investigator to later condemning the witch trials and the court’s rulings. Miller displays this change of view through the use of commentary, dialogue, and stage directions. Hale is portrayed at first as being the …show more content…

There are many secrets and hidden feuds circulating in the town of Salem that he is unaware of when he first arrives. It takes Hale a long time to come to terms with how wicked the town has become, and how they use witchcraft as an excuse to get even with those they feel have wronged them. He gets caught up in the trials, even acting alongside the court. Once the truth about Abigail Williams and her followers is revealed by John Proctor to be a scam, he vocalizes what he’s really thinking “I believe him! This girl has always struck me as false!” (50), “You cannot believe them!” (51), and finally “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” …show more content…

He particularly approaches Elizabeth Proctor on behalf of her husband, saying “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion… and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up… cleave to no faith which brings blood… life is God’s most precious gift; no principle… may justify the taking of it… Quail not before God’s judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride” (58). Hale is trying desperately to save the life of John Proctor, whom he knows will die to save his honor. Unfortunately, John and many others die despite Hale’s efforts.
Thus Hale comes to the belief that pride, resulting in the loss of any life, is a worse sin than lying. He knows now that life is more valuable than anything else, as it is one of God’s greatest gifts to man. He doesn’t believe that one should perish because of the sins of another person. He is a great example as a person who chases the truth and catches it. Once he finds the truth, he fights for it. That is truly

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