Proctor's Inferno Analysis

What has brought upon this madness? It is as though the entire town of Salem has been swept up in a wild inferno of vengeance – an inferno surely herding us all into the wrathful grasp of Satan. Surely, for all the years of learning, the wisdom I have found in my books I should have doused this folly before it began! I see the brand of condemnation on my hands, as bright and stained as it were the ink that with those hands sold the souls of the good Christian men and women of Salem. I have not slept these long months – aye I cannot sleep – for Proctor’s ominous warning haunts my dreams. [he pauses, his face tormented] And I cannot dismiss his words, for surely it is true that we will all burn in hell for this affront to God [quieter, ashamed] We played into the hands of the devil – I am sure it is the devil that is running free in the town; he is running free in the vengeance of petty children. [his voice is louder now] Surely we shall all burn for this callous disregard for the very life that God made sacred. …show more content…
It would be a vengeful God that places the word of a false court over the lives of His children. [he begins to pace, eyes lightened slightly with flickers of the enthusiasm they once held] Even in the Holy Book He says “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” It is true a lie is a great sin, but… Oh I cannot entertain such thoughts, such thoughts are blasphemy! [he shakes his head, wrought with indecision] No [his voice is barely a whisper, but rises to a shout] No! We are all but blasphemers yet before God, and surely it is more of a sin to cast recklessly away a life God has so lovingly created, than to cave to insanity and lie. [he is contemplative now as he comes to a halt] Surely a life is worth more than a