The Salem witch trials of 1692 was a travesty. Innocent people were accused and executed for crimes they did not commit. A select few people catalyzed the ludicrous trials while others condemned it. Hale is unique in that he has characteristics that can be attributed to both. In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," Hale begins as a witchcraft aficionado, with full belief in the court, and unwavering adherence to its strict laws; however, he soon realizes the fallacy of the courts accusations and makes a dramatic, advantageous shift away from the theocratic laws and develops his own more secular beliefs.
Miller introduces Hale as a firm believer of the existence of witchcraft and a strict disciple of the Puritan way of life. As a result, Hale contributes to the rise of the Salem Witch Trials. For instance, when he first arrives in Salem, and enters Parriss house to diagnose Abigail, he carried many heavy books that were weighted with authority (Miller 34). Thus, Hale comes prepared to back up his claims of witchcraft with facts from his books and deny any emotional or sensible prognosis. He puts more credence in his law books than in his own judgement. After describing the power of his tomes, Hale boasts, 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 (37). In other words, Hale has full faith that obvious, indisputable facts would be enough to find the devil in Salem. Also, he presumes his ability as a reverend will easily expel all the witches. This naivety causes him to help catalyze the hysteria in Salem.
Reverend Hale gradually begins to object to the court as it shifts away from the use of facts that becomes more and more ludicrous. After the first day of trials, Hale traveled from house to house of the accused, trying to justify why they were charged. He doesn't discover much to defend his guilty conscience. Hale describes why he is traveling from house with Proctor: In my ignorance I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court.
