Character Analysis Of Reverend Hale The Crucible

Have you ever been so involved in discovering the truth about something that you let public opinion cloud your judgement? One of the protagonists in The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, was brought down by listening to the people around him instead of looking at the facts right under his nose. Reverend Hale was brought to Salem to investigate witchcraft, and he is motivated to find justice. His flaws of being easily manipulated, lack of clarity with morals, and overconfidence have led him to his ultimate downfall of “killing” many accused people. Reverend Hale’s first flaw is his lack of clarity with morals. Throughout the play, he proves to be morally ambiguous. In Act one, Hale is convinced that witchcraft exists in Salem because of the suspicions of the townspeople. He arrives in Salem, loaded with heavy books, which he says are “...weighted with authority” (Miller, Act One). Hale believes that the devil is precise, and that this is not superstition. He also believes that he can make a diagnosis with facts, just as a doctor does. The townspeople believed the law is based upon …show more content…
One instance that shows Reverend Hale was easily manipulated was when he questioned Tituba in Act one. He tells her “...you are chosen to help us cleanse our village...” (Miller, Act One). Shortly after this, the children start confessing names of people with the Devil, and Hale believes them by asking for the marshal to get the handcuffs ready.
A third flaw of Hale’s is being overconfident. He believes that the world is only black or white, and that his expertise can tell the difference. Hale is thrilled that his reputation has preceded him, and he is being asked for advice. His books contain facts about the devil, and he says, “...we shall find if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face” (Miller, Act One). This means that he is very confident about proving the existence in