In “Tragedy and the Tragic Flaw” Aristotle describes a tragic hero as a person with a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. In the novel “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, one important tragic hero is Reverend Hale. In the beginning of his arrival, Hale is what Aristotle describes the tragic hero to equate too, “happy, powerful, and privileged.” Unfortunately, as time passes, Hale comes to realize the inaccurate accusations against innocence citizens and by that time it is too late to correct it. He is “suffering immensely because of his own actions or mistakes.” Every tragic hero, according to Aristotle, must obtain these four characteristics: goodness, superiority, a tragic flaw, and an epiphany or realization that causes the understanding of why his actions led to his downfall.
The characteristic of “goodness” is definitely pronounced in Reverend Hale. He is a minister that was called to Salem to seek out the presence of Satin. Instantly he makes everyone feel at ease by complementing them and their good deeds. “Putnam! I had not expected such distinguished company, sir.”(Miller 38) Hale says to Putnam when first meeting him and he goes on to say, “It is strange how I know you, but I
…show more content…
He states to Parris, “They are weighted with authority.” (Miller 36) describing the large books he brought with him filled with knowledge about the apparent spirits. He goes on to talk about signs that the devil is with them. This was most likely what gave to girls the ideas to pretend that spirits were among them. One example of Hale letting out details of the devil’s possible existence is when he says to Betty, “Does someone afflict you child? ...Perhaps some bird invisible to others comes to you – perhaps a pig, a mouse, or any beast at all.” (Miller) Unfortunately, he gives out to much information of signs of the devil and the girls use this to their