Reverend Hale's Weighted Authority - Mega Essays

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Topics in Paper

• Salem Witch Trials
• Witchcraft
• John Proctor
• Mary Warren
• Reverend Hale
• People Of The Salem Witch Trials
• Salem Massachusetts
• Samuel Parris
• Hale

@Example Essays

Reverend Hale's Weighted Authority Bibliography 4 Pages 911 Words

In the well-known play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller has his characters go through many tests and changes. One of the dramatically changed characters is Reverend John Hale of Beverly. Reverend Hale arrives in Salem to try to figure out what was going on with the sleeping girls and witchcraft. He planned to cleanse the town of the devil's work. Reverend Hale very much believed that there was witchcraft going on; he examined the accused himself. When the group of girls, believed to be saints, start accusing the least likely people of witchcraft, Hale starts to change and doubt the court. Reverend Hale stirs up the town on his arrival to Salem. Everyone is honored to be in his presence, and he knows it. He's a very self-confident man, and enjoys the respect that has been given. When Reverend Parris mentions that Hale's books are heavy, Hale then precedes to comment with, "They must be; they are weighted with authority" (34). Many people of Salem thought that inviting Reverend Hale was a mistake. Hale was set on finding the devil that lies within Salem though. When the Indian slave, Tituba, confesses to signing in the Devil's book, one of the things Hale says to her is, "Now Tituba, I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell, it is very hard to break with it. We are going to help you tear yourself free-" (42). The search for the devil is an ever greater mission now. In Act II, Hale goes to the Proctor's house one night to question John and his wife, Elizabeth. He tells them that Elizabeth's name was somewhat mentioned in the court by Abigail Williams. Hale questions them both thoroughly to see if they have been practicing witchcraft. Hale tells John Proctor that he's heard he doesn't believe in witches. John does not believe that the witches come upon them now and tells Hale, "I have no knowledge of it; the Bible speaks of witches, and I will not deny them." (66) Hale takes that statement into consideration and then asks Elizabeth ...

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APA MLA Chicago Reverend Hale's Weighted Authority. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 18:02, December 27, 2025, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/204314.html MegaEssays. "Reverend Hale's Weighted Authority." MegaEssays.com. MegaEssays.com, (December 31, 1969). Web. 27 Dec. 2025. MegaEssays, "Reverend Hale's Weighted Authority.," MegaEssays.com, https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/204314.html (accessed December 27, 2025)