Reverend John Hale is one of the most complex characters in the play and goes through a drastic change during the events depicted.
In Act One, Hale enters the action as a fully trained and dedicated witch-hunter. Hale's intentions here are good, but his dedication to ridding the world of witchcraft and his overconfidence sets him up to be taken in by the girls' hysterics.
In Act Two, Hale shows himself to be not as easily bought in as he initially appeared. When he chooses to visit the Proctors to determine their characters without the court's knowledge, he shows that he can think critically and independently of his court and authority. He shows that he is dedicated to the truth of the matter, not just hunting witches.
This eventually leads him to denounce the court completely in Act Three, once it has become clear that the accusations of witchcraft are being used to manipulate and control the town. Again, this action shows Hale's ability to think and morally judge for himself. It also shows that he is not afraid to change his mind when he realizes he was wrong.
In Act Four, Hale seems to experience a crisis of faith. When he suggests that Proctor and Rebecca Nurse falsely confess to witchcraft to save their lives, it becomes clear that this man of God and Law is beginning to doubt that either will save innocent lives and they will need to take matters into their own hands.
By the end of the play, Hale is devastated and tormented by the proceedings and his place in them. As he watches Proctor approach the gallows, he cries:
"What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth?"
This Hale, doubting and despairing, struggling to see the point in anything is a far different man than the confident witch-hunter who came to Salem in Act One.
No comments:
Post a Comment