DEVELOPMENT OF HALE’S CHARACTER MANDY, DANIEL, KIRSTEN & LORNA
INTRODUCTION TO HALE’S CHARACTER At the start of the play, Hale appears to be an authoritative person who is self-obsessed and enjoys being in charge. He believes he is equal or more powerful to the devil and has pride in having peoples’ trust in him of destroying the devil’s existence.
HOW HALE HAS DEVELOPED Towards act 4, Hale feels guilty and ashamed of the effect that his own actions has led to and is desperate to save the lives of those who he has condemned. Hale now pleads with Proctor, hoping that he will give a false confession, in order to save his and his wife’s life. However at the end of the play, Proctor chooses to sacrifice his own life rather then giving a lie to Danforth. Hale is unable to see the reason for this and is confused that Elizabeth does not convince her husband to stay alive suggesting he has a limited insight in human relationships and the humble relationships that people have with God.
“Be his helper. -What profits him to bleed. Shall the dust praise him “Be his helper!-What profits him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? Go to him, take his shame away!” Hale uses personification “worms declare his truth” to exaggerate how unreasonable and meaningless he sees in Proctor’s actions. He is aware of the consequences that if Proctor refuses to sign the false deposition then Proctor will be hanged. Hale does not understand why Proctor would rather choose to save his reputation than his own life. This gives the impression that he is guilty of allowing these false accusations to have been taken place. It is ironic how he knows it is a sin to give a lie yet he is a minister himself. He is confused and lost from his moral biblical ways.
Development of Hale’s Character Hale does not understand how important reputation is to the people of Salem. He has changed throughout the play from being an egoistic person who only wants power to a concerned, humbled character who is caring about other peoples’ lives however he fails to understand human relationships.