How Does Hale Use Power And Authority In The Crucible

“Moral Authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, and treating people with respect”-Stephen Covey. With power comes great responsibility, just as authority does. However, sometimes people abuse their power in certain situations. It is also common to see people with power step on the people below them. In The Crucible, many characters use their power and authority in Salem for personal gain and for wrongdoing. Throughout history authority figures give orders to people below them and those people have listened, which shows the kind of effect authority has over a population who cannot make a decision in times of stress. During the trials, the people of Salem are blinded from realism by Judge Danforth’s prestigious title and by his experience as a judge. “I hope that you will forgive me. I have been thirty-two year at the bar sir, and I should be confounded were I called upon to defend them” (514). Danforth talks about how long he has been a judge as a way to prove his judgements. Soon after, Danforth says that since a witch will not confess, it is up to the victim to expose them, and up to the judge to make a decision on whether is actually a witch or

Hale has extended knowledge on the subject of witchcraft, so the citizens of Salem look up to him to make a decision, and that power can easily end in someone being wrongfully accused. “This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge had been publicly called for” (475). Because Hale has a very specific job, the people who call on him do not challenge his decisions. Hale also has the ability to say and do as he pleases, and that alone holds a great deal of power. Because of Hale’s expertise, he can become a very dangerous man if he uses it for