Why is Reverend Hale the most important, most relevant character in the Crucible?

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The Role of Reverend Hale
The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s play largely delves on how inconsistencies in extreme behavior can lead to dark desires and hidden agendas. Reverend Hale is one of the main characters in the play who is portrayed as an intellectual, naïve witch hunter who exhibits a dynamic character throughout the play. As an intellect, he believes in the knowledge in books. His main role as a witch hunter is to investigate the claims of witchcraft by eliciting confessions from the suspects. This paper, therefore, examines the role of Reverend Hale as the most relevant character in the play.
Reverend Hale is the only character who represents the dichotomy of witchcraft which is associated with malicious activities in Salem. At the beginning of the play, his arrival in Salem, he carries many books in his determination and confidence to fight the spirit of witchcraft. “They must be, they are weighted with authority” (Miller 36). Hale devotes himself to his faith and insists in unearthing the truth not knowing that the subject disputes the struggle of power in the community and the church. He confesses that the devil is very precise as his marks are definite as the stone (Miller 38). His primary desire is to help the afflicted through conversion and removing the “infected” inhabitants from Salem. Thus, he is the only hope for the city.
Throughout his investigations, Reverend Hale shows resilience and determination as compared to other characters.

In the court proceeding, he initially believes that women are not associated with witchcraft. He is ready to defend their innocence in a court of law as he believes that women are accused due to their lowest rung in the male dominated society hence having few options (Scheidt, Jennifer, & Denis 36). His due diligence in the investigation makes Proctor confess of his affair with Abigail, but the confession is as a result of witchcraft accusations. Despite his effort, the court proceeding collapses as the victims are not ready to propagate the lies. Hale was ready to defend his claims, but the accusers frustrated his efforts.
Hale recognizes the evil that witchcraft propagates. He, therefore, insists at the end of the play that it is important to fight for the highest good, even if it means that the suspects be subjected to the injustices (Klein 25). However, the suspect does not hold the same sentiments and therefore refuse to be subjects of the court injustices. While Hale cannot help the suspects, including Proctor, his wife and the other people that are arraigned in court, he plays an important course throughout the play. In fact, he is at the center of all activities and affects all the lives of the people of Salem.

Works Cited
Klein, Ramon. “Characterization of Morality and Values in Arthur Miller’s Play” The Crucible.” (2013).
Miller, Arthur. “The Crucible.” (2003).
Scheidt, Jennifer L., and Denis M. Calandra. CliffsNotes on “The Crucible.” 10 Nov 2016 https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature