With what does hale come prepared

To continue using this website please confirm that you accept our use of Cookies. What does John Hale do in the play? How is Reverend John Hale described and what does it mean? Hale comes to Salem as an expert in religious matters in answer to a request from Reverend Parris.

He exhorts Tituba and the girls to confess and to denounce others to save themselves. When the girls start naming people as witches, he is delighted with his success: 'Glory to God! It is broken, they are free! Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba so that Tituba could conjure Ruth's dead sisters in order to find out who murdered them. Goody Nurse leaves when Hale prepares to examine Betty for signs of the Devil because Hale says the process may cause the child pain.

Giles Corey tells Hale that his wife Martha has been secretly reading books and that these books prevent him from praying. Parris tells Hale about Abigail, Betty, and the others dancing in the woods. Hale questions Abigail, and she blames Tituba for everything. Abigail says that Tituba makes her drink blood, plagues her dreams, and tempts her to sin. Hale questions Tituba and tells her that she can redeem herself by admitting that she has been working with the Devil and by telling him the names of anyone else involved.

Abigail admits that she has given herself to the Devil by writing her name in his book. She renounces the Devil and says that she wants "the sweet love of Jesus. Act I ends with Abigail and Betty naming individuals that they have seen with the Devil. Scene 5 is pivotal in the play for two reasons.

First, this scene establishes the expectation of witchcraft in Salem. Hale warns everyone in the room that he will not examine Betty unless they acknowledge the fact that witchcraft may not be involved. Although everyone agrees, they overwhelmingly expect and hope that he will discover witchcraft.

The idea of discovering witchcraft in one's own backyard is not only exciting, but it allows individuals to find an explanation for things that they otherwise cannot explain. For example, Mrs. Putnam's blaming her children's deaths upon witchcraft is easier than admitting that she did not give birth to healthy children, or that she cannot carry children successfully. Explaining that Betty and Ruth's ailments result from witchcraft is also much easier than admitting that good Puritan girls were out dancing in the woods and attempting to cast spells and are now feigning illness to avoid punishment.

Even though Hale states a disclaimer at the beginning of Scene 5, nearly everyone expects him to find evidence of witchcraft; they will not be satisfied unless he does.

The Devil is precise. And it is no accident that we should be so bemused. No, no. Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of Hell upon her. It discomfits me! Last night—mark this—I tried and tried and could not say my prayers.

And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly—mark this—I could pray again!