Character & Action

Hale:

  • Authoritative
  • Respected
  • Wise
  • Arrogant
  • Cocky
  • Dominant

Hale is knowledgeable and wise man, he takes into consideration the situation of village is fully aware that much wrong is happening in the town of Salem. Hale is shocked to find out that Elizabeth proctor has been accused of witchcraft. During this period of the play we see a slight change in Hale as he is changing his mind and overview on the towns decisions .He questions his instincts and fails to stand up to in court as Abigail and the girls are over-rated and have extreme power at their hands .Hale is a sinister and a bit creepy of a character to show that he is an outsider and not from the village and shows the way of thinking as he is well educated witchcraft authority is weighed in the books he carries.

Themes & Context:

Religion: Hale is a good Christian, stands by his words acknowledges the importance of good and evil and is aware of the how different societies should work and god is the ultimate judge.

Power/Status: Hale feels highly respected as he has been called upon from another town to use his knowledge. However he is unable to stand up against court or make significant point as others may disagree.

Hysteria: A great issue is raised because John Proctor misses out on one of his commandments (adultery) a bit of foreshadowing. Hale uses this opportunity to question Johns faith in Christianity and patronises him through his power to be able to, by raising many other questions.

Witchcraft: Witchcraft has meant that Elizabeth is accused of it, Hale is nervous and hesitant because he can’t imagine Elizabeth of being of such nature. E.g. (Wets his lips)-he has to inform Elizabeth of the situation because in the town Witchcraft has overpowered loyalty.

Puritans: Hale who believes in his master knowledge of witchcraft takes advantage of johns and Elizabeth weaknesses and the coldness between them. Hale takes advantage of religion. He is a cocky and patronising character e.g. “let you repeat them” he asks john to repeat the commandments so he can pick out any mistakes. Whilst Hale was questioning the Proctors he got more comfortable and decided to stay longer in the Proctors house

Revenge: Hale later on begins to have doubts about the accusations just after coming from Rebecca Nurse’s house (a pious old humble women)Who was also accused ,he goes to the proctors to tell Elizabeth that her name had been mentioned by Abigail and that she will be taken for trials. Abigail does this to get her back on Elizabeth as she is madly in love with John and is trying to get in the way of Elizabeth’s and John relationship

Language/Structure & Effects:

Archaic Language is used throughout the novel as it portrays the way English was spoken in the 1600’s

Religious Words: Satan, Commandments, God, Lord, Holy, Christian, Theology

Metaphorical Language : (Hale)-“theology, sir, is a fortress: no crack in a fortress maybe accounted small”-(Hale emphasises on the importance of religion)

Dramatic Language: (as though a secret arrow had pained his heart)

Foreshadowing: (suspiciously)-why-why did you, keep this? (Truth about Abigail’s lie)

Commandments > misses out adultery…

Hale is portrayed by the author to be persuasive /overpowering and patronising because he has much authority. E.g. – “This is strange time mister, no man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village .there is too much evidence now to deny it. You will agree sir”

There is a change of characters actions for example John & Elizabeth “cold” relationship grows stronger and Hale attitude towards the decisions made by others in the village.