Reference no: EM133319389

In the following essay in which act and line number were the quotations (highlighted in bold below) located in the crucible:

The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller, to depict the horrors of the Salem Witch trials while shedding light on the role of hysteria, and how it can often poison relationships and the community as a whole. Throughout the play, we come across several characters, major and minor, who had some role in the play. However, when considering a character who was in effect by mass hysteria, we must consider several factors while considering their importance and impact on the play. To begin with, The Crucible is about how a group of girls creates a sense of hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts by making the colonials believe that the devil has welcomed himself into the minds of the young children and housed himself in the puritan community, often looked upon as a perfect community. One of the girls, specifically Abigail Williams, was not only the leader of the girl's group but also drove the hysteria with a motive of marrying John Proctor. Throughout the play, it is the role of characters such as Mary Warren, Abigail Williams, John Proctor, Reverend Parris, Judge Danforth, and many others who directly or indirectly impacted and change the course of the plot and direction of the play. Therefore, I believe that Reverend John Hale is profoundly impacted by the mass hysteria of the witch trials, as his beliefs about the world and his own identity are tested and challenged as he experiences a moral crisis.

At the beginning of the play, Reverend John Hale is presented as an enthusiastic believer in the power and presence of witchcraft, as he is eager to assist the residents of Salem and help them rid their community of witches. This is evidenced in his dialogue when he says, "I have a lecture of some heat in it... I am no wizard that I can command the devil; but I have a power, you know, which I have learnt in my books". This evidence demonstrates that Reverend Hale has a strong belief in the power of witchcraft and is confident in his abilities to identify and eliminate the presence of witches in Salem.

As the play progresses and Reverend Hale begins to witness the fear and hysteria that has taken over the town, he starts to doubt his mission and his ability to help the people of Salem. As he says to Elizabeth Proctor, "I have wondered if my presence amongst you here has not, itself, been the devil's ministry. It may be that I have given them courage to breathe accusations that never came from God". This evidence shows that Reverend Hale is beginning to question the morality of the witch trials and his role in them. He is starting to realize that the fear and hysteria of the trials may not be doing the town any good and may, in fact, be doing more harm than good.

Later in the play, Reverend Hale's doubts about the witch trials become even more apparent when he speaks to Parris about his concerns. He says, "We never meant to doubt that she were a witch. I have doubts now, sir. I think she only thought to save her life". This evidence further demonstrates Reverend Hale's growing doubts about the morality and efficacy of the witch trials. He is now beginning to realize that the hysteria of the trials has led to false accusations and wrongful executions, and this has caused him to question the validity of the trials.

In the final act of the play, Reverend Hale has a moment of clarity where he realizes the extent of the damage that the witch trials have caused and decides to take a stand against them. He says to the court, "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!". This evidence shows that Reverend Hale has finally reached a breaking point where he cannot support the witch trials any longer. By quitting the court, he is taking a stand against the mass hysteria and the injustices it has caused. After Reverend Hale's moment of clarity, he finds himself in a state of moral crisis, as he realizes that his beliefs about the world and his own identity have been challenged and changed by the witch trials. This is evidenced in his dialogue when he says, "What shall I say? 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". This evidence shows that Reverend Hale is struggling with his own conscience and his faith in God. The witch trials have caused him to question his beliefs and his identity, and he is now faced with a moral crisis as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the injustices of the trials.

In conclusion, Reverend John Hale is profoundly impacted by the mass hysteria of the witch trials in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. At the beginning of the play, he is presented as an enthusiastic believer in the power and presence of witchcraft, but as the play progresses and he begins to witness the fear and hysteria that has taken over the town, his beliefs and identity are tested and challenged as he experiences a moral crisis. In the final act of the play, he finds himself in a state of moral crisis, as he realizes that his beliefs about the world and his own identity have been challenged and changed by the witch trials.