Hale's Many Statements In The Play example essay topic

"I came to do the Devil's work" is the ironic and sad truth that Reverend John Hale realizes in Arthur Miller's dramatic play, The Crucible. One can see that Hale's personality changes enormously throughout the play. These changes are illustrated by Hale's many statements in the play. The statements in the beginning of the play establish Hale's firm beliefs and toward the end of the play his disgust with the outcome of the trials. Hale is a very intriguing person with many character traits. "They must be, the yare weighted with authority". (p. 36) This shows that he is sure of his actions and himself.

Another thing that he is sure of is witchcraft. This is shown when he states, "The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are as definite as stone". (p. 38) and, "Are you gathering souls for the Devil?" (p. 44). One of Hale's character flaws is that he judges by appearances. "You look as such a good soul should". (p. 37) and, "A claim so weighty cannot be argued by a farmer". (p. 99) He claims to be the right-hand man of the Lord, "Have no fear now; we shall find him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face".

When in reality, his actions and beliefs end with tragic results. Hale believes so strongly in his religion that he is willing to use unjust procedures to extract the information he wants. He does this when questioning Titubaand John Proctor. "When the Devil comes to you, does he come with another person? Perhaps another person in the village?" (p. 45) and "God put you in his hands to help cleanse this village". (p. 46) Hale uses these persuading techniques and the authority of the church to find and punish the "enemies" of the church.

In the second act, the audience can actually make a distinction between the morally weak Reverend Parris and Reverend Hale. When Hale goes to the Proctor's house and hears about the accusations, he states, "if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning". (p. 80) Yet, Hale is so religious that he has difficulty denying the charges. He even states, "until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in heaven". (p. 68) Hale has a mental conflict here: His personal feelings tell him that a person such as Rebecca couldn't be a witch but his training has taught him that Rebecca could be possessed by the Devil. At the same time, Hale is witness to Elizabeth Proctor's arrest for practicing witchcraft. He knows this also is not true but Hale is unable to protest against the authority of the court because he has been taught to respect the authority of those above him.

In the final acts, Hale definitely changes. He begins to see the honesty and integrity of John Proctor. When Proctor makes his accusation against Abigail, Hale sees that Proctor is doing it at the stake of his own reputation. When he says, I quit this court". (p. 120) Hale has shown by this statement that he no longer trusts the court system and that he sympathizes with those who are persecuted. Reverend Hale has even lost trust in his faith when he says, "Beware, Goody Proctor; cleave to no faith when faith brings blood". (p. 132) By now, Hale is hysterical and cries out, "I came to do the Devil's work... There is blood on my head!" (p. 131) The audience can now see that Hale has reversed his position entirely.

Throughout the play, Hale has walked on firm and sure ground and ends up ashamed of what he as done. The insanity and fear in Salem has changed him forever. Hec an no longer walk with his head up and keep his faith in his religion nor trust the courts. The acts in the play have worked together to show the changing of what once was a well-respected man.