In the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the character of Reverand Hale undergoes a transformation, one more remarkable than that of any other character in the play. In the first act of the play, Hale is portrayed as an eager-eyed intellectual, whose expertise on witchcraft will finally be put to use in the town of Salem. Once he recognizes the hysteria in Salem , the realization sets in that witchcraft is nothing more than means of revenge in the small town. As his belief in witchcraft falters, so does his faith in the law and by the end of the play, Hale is begging the accused to lie to the court to save their lives. In the play The Crucible, Reverand Hale goes through a drastic transformation, from a firm believer in the power of witchcraft and the efficiency of the law becoming a broken man, overwhelmed by guilt and loss of faith in the court.
             In Act I, Parris is anxiously awaiting Reverand Hale to discover the cause of his daughter Betty's illness. Hale is portrayed as an expert on the matters of witchcraft, a subject that would be rarely put to use during this or any time. He is considered by Parris and the rest of the community to be a knowledgeable and educated man on the topic of witchcraft, and Parris hopes that he can help to determine his daughter's ailment. "Tell him I have sent for Reverand Hale of Beverly, and Mr. Hale will surely confirm that. Let him look to medicine and put out all thought of unnatural causes here. There be none"(1093). Given Hale's reputation as the expert on witchcraft, Parris expects answers from Hale. He dreads even the mention of witchcraft because of his
             concern with his family name and his precarious position in the community. Upon Hale's arrival, his extensive knowledge about witchcraft can finally be put to use.
             He expects to find witches in the town of Salem, and in his first reactions upon mee
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