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Reverend Hale Changes In The Crucible

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In The Crucible, there are many complex characters who shift throughout the play. Reverend Hale was one of the most complex of these characters. Hale’s changes were a direct result of the trials. Because of this Hale’s changes can be traced through his actions and motivations. Throughout the play, Reverend Hale was changed by his faith, his knowledge of the truth, and by his guilt. From the beginning of the play, it was quite clear that Reverend Hale’s character was deeply rooted in his faith and understanding. Hale firmly believes that everything in life can be explained by books. This becomes evident when he is prompted about the weight of his books. He responds, “They are weighted with authority” (Miller, Act I). Hale believes that the truth …show more content…

For example, Hale went down to the jail in order to convince the accused to confess to witchcraft. To confess to witchcraft would be to lie, which was a damnable sin. Hale at this point believed that life was more important than dying for pride. This is extremely different from his faith in the first act, which was unwavering. He valued life over faith, something he never would have considered before. Hale also allowed his guilt to motivate his actions. He says, “Why it is all simple. I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians to belie themselves. (His sarcasm collapses.) There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!” (Miller, Act IV). His guilt consumed him and caused him to abandon his beliefs. Reverend Hale was a complex character whose changes could be observed through his actions and motivations. Hale shifted from being a devote Puritan to abandoning his faith entirely. He went from fully believing in the trials to damning them and becoming consumed by guilt because of them. Hale’s complexity adds to the play by showing how intense the trials were and how even the most devote were

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