Reverend Hale’s morals drive him seek him to seek and reveal the truth at first, but as he comes to new realizations he finds that it is better to lie and avoid the killing of innocent people. His morals are what led him to Salem, to help the town in their time of crisis. Since Reverend Hale is motivated by strong morals, his decision to challenge the legitimacy of the court results in him convincing the falsely accused to confess at the end of the play.
Reverend Hale starts out seeking the truth. While investigating the trials he informs the citizens that he will not make assumptions based on religion and he will look to all causes to find the most accurate reason for the anomalies. “We cannot look to superstition in this. ... 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.” (38) By Hale saying this he shows that his top priority is to find the truth. As time goes on Hale comes to realizations that change his
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The officials have been making irrational decisions because of all the hysteria in the town. When Hale gets fed up with the court officials he challenges its legitimacy. “I denounce these proceedings!” (120) He makes a powerful statement which shows that he does not agree or approve of what is going on within the court because of his strong ethics and morals.
When John Proctor, a townsman falsely accused of witchcraft, says that he would rather die than confess to something he has not done, Hale tries to convince him to confess. “Life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. ... it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.” (132) By saying this he shows that finding and revealing the truth isn’t as important to him as saving someone’s