Oftentimes people’s actions can result in unforeseen negative outcomes despite the intentions that motivated the action. Whether this is because of a lack of understanding or simply because of the random way that things play out, the one who took the initial action will still often be accused for the uncontrollable subsequent events. This was as true in 1692 as it is today. During the Salem witch trials, Arthur Miller’s character Reverend Hale from The Crucible experiences this very thing. Reverend Hale goes through a drastic change through events that he wasn’t accountable for and earns both appreciation and sympathy through his ultimate decisions. Throughout the duration of the play, Reverend Hale’s character undergoes a drastic transformation. …show more content…
When it comes down to it, sympathy is felt for him because he says redeeming things such as, “I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. I’ll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound!” (4.77). Hale is taking all of these consequences personally that once he realizes his errors he is overcome with an intense sense of guilt and remorse for the role he has played that one can't help but sympathize with him. Ultimately it all comes down to if you judge the morality and integrity of the person on the consequences of their actions or the intentions of them to be higher. Although his actions are forgivable, Hale has a hard time forgiving himself as seen by when he says, “There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!” (4.66). This metaphor is used to communicate that he holds himself to be responsible for all of the deaths that have taken place during the witch trials and struggles to forgive himself. As a result of this guilt, it leads him to make one last attempt to remedy the damage he had caused, ultimately earning him sympathy, respect, and