Essay about Reverand Hale in Arthur Millers The Crucible

The Salem witch trials of 1692 caused much confusion and chaos. A total of 19 were executed for supposed witchcraft. For such a travesty to occur and to end, there must be certain people that catalyze the event and others that speak out against it. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, specific characters contribute to the rising hysteria of witchcraft and the disapproval of the convictions. Reverend Hale is a unique character that provides attributions to both sides. Although Reverend Hale is a catalyst to the beginning of the witch trials because he protects the authority of the court with a strict interpretation of its laws, he later realizes the falsehood of the courts accusations, and he makes a dramatic shift in his dependency on†¦show more content†¦In these early scenes of the play, Hale does what he can to fulfill his duty of eradicating the causes of the witchery, and does not see that the evil is not in the accused but in the accuser. Also, Tituba, Parris black slave , accuses Sarah Good and Goody Osbourne of witchcraft after Hale interrogates her and forces her to tell him who she has seen under the Devils influence: ...Tituba, you are chosen to help cleanse our village. So speak utterly, Tituba, turn your back on him [the Devil] and face God...(44). Hale initiates the hysteria of accusations in Salem with the pressure he puts on Tituba to give him names (he had also threatened to whip her to death). His only objective and care at this point is not to root out the causes of Bettys illness, but to make seemingly impressive accusations and fulfill his duty of keeping away the Devil. Through these actions, Hale proves to be an important catalyst in sparking the trials. As the ridiculousness of the court rises, Hale begins to oppose the actions it takes. For example, Hale pleads with Danforthe, the judge, to let Proctor return to court later with a lawyer while he is being interrogated, and which Danforthe rejects the idea. Danforthe possesses the ultimate power of the court and the use of its laws, however, Hale for the first time fought against its powers. He realizes the unfair judgement the court is presentingShow MoreRelatedThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1653 Words   |  7 PagesPublished in 1952, during a period of cold war tensions, which culminated in the ideological witch trials of the McCarthyism era in America; the allegorical play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem Massechutsets, in 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials. The author has intentionally used allegory to draw parallels between the two events and invite the reader to think critically about the persecution that occurred during both time periods. One of the themes th at the author has used toRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1653 Words   |  7 PagesPublished in 1952, during a period of cold war tensions, which culminated in the ideological witch trials of the McCarthyism era in America, the allegorical play, the crucible, by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem Massechutsets, in 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials. The author has intentionally used allegory to draw parallels between the two events and invite the reader to think critically about the persecution that occurred during both time periods. One of the themes that the author has used toRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1653 Words   |  7 Pagesublished in 1952, during a period of cold war tensions, which culminated in the ideological witch trials of the McCarthyism era in America; the allegorical play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem Massachusetts, in 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials. 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