Abuse Of Power In Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible visualizes the abuse of power and greed in society in many ways. Miller forces the reader to understand the different motives that an individual can get from the overbearing presence that one gets with power. In this play many characters hold power, though some hold more than others. One character that holds an extensive amount of power is Reverend Hale. Reverend Hale has come to the town of Salem to find out the truth behind these praises of witchcraft in the town. His expertise and legitimacy in the knowledge of witchcraft are what will allow him to do so. Since Reverend Hale holds knowledge that many others do not have in this town this give him power. Not only this but his charismatic personality and semi standing …show more content…
Legitimate power is power that comes from the higher authority; this is power that is given because of one’s position. Reverend Hale is given legitimate power, as he is a priest in the play. During the time period that the play takes place religious figures held a lot of power in society. Reverend Hale’s legitimate power is seen when it is said “Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take so life without there be proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it.” Hale is seen as a figure of authority, no ordinary man could sign death warrants to seize those who are accused of witch craft. With Hales power he is not sure if by signing the death warrants he did the right thing or the wrong thing. Hales legitimate power gives him a place in the court and allows him to have an influence in what happens. Relating back to the thesis, this legitimate power makes Hale face a predicament of if he is truly making the right call with his power. He many lives in his hand and by signing and saying that this is truly witch craft he will be bringing the death of them. This is a completely unethical action, as putting so many lives into an individual’s hand, is completely absurd. Even though Hale holds a lot of legitimate power, this is not the only power he …show more content…
Referent power is power that is obtained through ones admirable traits and personality. Reverend Hale’s charisma allows him to grasp the attention of an individual and influence his opinion upon them. “ Have no fear now—we shall find this devil out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face!” Reverend Hale uses his referent power to calm down and assure the citizens of Salem that everything will be okay. His charisma allows him to galvanize and assuage the people, not only bringing comfort to them but letting them feel as though he is more trustworthy making them subordinate to his power. Hale holding so much power isn 't really that good of a thing. By having so much power Reverend Hale has greater chance to make a negative impact due to practically holding too much power. Even if something is now right with referent power Reverend Hale can persuade the people that the wrongdoing is justified. Things like the seventy-two death warrants that Reverend Hale had to sign for those prosecuted of witchcraft, even though that is an absolute absurd and unethical action to take with out formidable proof that such events occurred; and for Reverend Hale to sign the death warrants for such a thing is a complete misuse of his great power. Reverend Hale holds a lot of power in this story but his power isn 't always