In many acts of literature the tragic hero is often easily to identify, and is often one of the main characters. However, in this play there are many arguments on whether or not John Proctor is the tragic hero of this story. Many believe that in this play Reverend Hale is the tragic hero.In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Reverend Hale solidifies his role as the tragic hero by overcoming his flaw of arrogance and evolving and growing throughout the play, showing that in order for change to happen, one must begin to accept their flaws. In the first act of The Crucible, Hale views himself as one of the most important participants in the attempt to discover the source of witchcraft in Salem. Immediately the reader is informed that Hale feels “the
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It is near the beginning of this act when Hale first questions his belief that there are actual witches in Salem. When Hale is speaking with John and Elizabeth Proctor, he mentioned that Elizabeth’s name had been mentioned in court. Hale begins to question them both, and in an attempt to protect his wife from the murderous court, John Proctor informs Hale that the sickness afflicting the children is not actually witchcraft. However, Hale claims that many have already confessed to being witches and so John Proctor must indeed be incorrect. In response to this statement Proctor says that there are people “that will swear to anything before they’ll hang” (Miller 65). This causes suspicion in Reverend Hale, although he tries to resist it. Next, Reverend Hales is deeply troubled when he learn that Rebecca Nurse is accused of practicing witchcraft and is thrown in jail. In his eyes, Rebecca Nurse is the model Puritan woman, and is surely one of the most devoted women of God in Salem. Hale is positive that the justice of the court will prevail and even tells Francis Nurse to “rest upon the justice of the court; the court will send her home” (Miller 67). Finally, when Elizabeth Proctor is carried away to jail, Reverend Hale seems to come to his senses. He assures Proctor …show more content…
When Martha Corey is being tried in front of the court, Hale desperately tries to assist Giles Corey in trying to prove that Martha is innocent. Hale thinks that using the authority given to him upon his arrival in Salem could help save the lives of some of the wrongly accused. Again and again, Hale brings up that the court must rely on hard evidence, not just claims, but his attempts to get them to listen are fruitless. Hale has finally had enough of people being put to death. He informs the court that he has “signed seventy-two death warrants…and [he] dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm if conscience may doubt it” (Miller 92). Hale has finally took a stand against the court and is now on the side of justice, rather than the side of power. He begs the court to “stop now before another is condemned” (Miller 105). Hale realizes that so many innocent lives have been taken due to a misunderstanding, and desperately tries to prevent even more from being taken. After both John Proctor, and Giles Corey are taken to jail, Reverend Hale is appalled by the actions taken by the court and says “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court” (Miller 111)! Knowing that he no longer stands a chance to change the mind of the court,
It is near the beginning of this act when Hale first questions his belief that there are actual witches in Salem. When Hale is speaking with John and Elizabeth Proctor, he mentioned that Elizabeth’s name had been mentioned in court. Hale begins to question them both, and in an attempt to protect his wife from the murderous court, John Proctor informs Hale that the sickness afflicting the children is not actually witchcraft. However, Hale claims that many have already confessed to being witches and so John Proctor must indeed be incorrect. In response to this statement Proctor says that there are people “that will swear to anything before they’ll hang” (Miller 65). This causes suspicion in Reverend Hale, although he tries to resist it. Next, Reverend Hales is deeply troubled when he learn that Rebecca Nurse is accused of practicing witchcraft and is thrown in jail. In his eyes, Rebecca Nurse is the model Puritan woman, and is surely one of the most devoted women of God in Salem. Hale is positive that the justice of the court will prevail and even tells Francis Nurse to “rest upon the justice of the court; the court will send her home” (Miller 67). Finally, when Elizabeth Proctor is carried away to jail, Reverend Hale seems to come to his senses. He assures Proctor …show more content…
When Martha Corey is being tried in front of the court, Hale desperately tries to assist Giles Corey in trying to prove that Martha is innocent. Hale thinks that using the authority given to him upon his arrival in Salem could help save the lives of some of the wrongly accused. Again and again, Hale brings up that the court must rely on hard evidence, not just claims, but his attempts to get them to listen are fruitless. Hale has finally had enough of people being put to death. He informs the court that he has “signed seventy-two death warrants…and [he] dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm if conscience may doubt it” (Miller 92). Hale has finally took a stand against the court and is now on the side of justice, rather than the side of power. He begs the court to “stop now before another is condemned” (Miller 105). Hale realizes that so many innocent lives have been taken due to a misunderstanding, and desperately tries to prevent even more from being taken. After both John Proctor, and Giles Corey are taken to jail, Reverend Hale is appalled by the actions taken by the court and says “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court” (Miller 111)! Knowing that he no longer stands a chance to change the mind of the court,