Reverend John Hale Character Analysis

American Horror Story: Salem There are people that will do whatever is expected of them no matter the consequences, and then there are those that will always stick to their ethical beliefs. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the Salem witch trials put morality to the test. Beginning from the falsehood of the trials in the first place to the internal struggles the characters face during the trials, all of the people involved have important decisions to make. Despite all of this, Reverend John Hale stays true to his beliefs. As he continues to stand up for what he believes is right, Reverend John Hale is not responsible for the mass hysteria that leads to the Salem witch trials. Reverend John Hale is an intellectual person who is not willing to condemn anyone without hard evidence. When John Proctor signs a deposition for Judge Danforth stating that the girls who started the witch trials are lying, Hale explains, “Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it” (3. 516-519). After realizing that Judge Danforth did not want to accept Proctor’s word, Hale throws his support behind Proctor by appealing to the morality of the issue. He …show more content…
When he first arrives to Salem, he states, “Have no fear now - we shall find him [the Devil] out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face!” (1. 796-798). Hale is responding to the accusations of witchcraft by the slave of the minister. He is reassuring the accuser, Goody Ann Putnam, that if the devil is truly in Salem, he will definitely get rid of him. However, he will only do so if there is no possibility of doubt of the devil’s presence. Earlier, before even questioning anybody, Hale tells the