Why does Hale counsel Elizabeth to persuade John Proctor to lie?
pmiranda2857 Teacher High School – 10th Grade eNotes Editor By Act IV of the play, Reverend Hale has returned to Salem with one intention, to save as many people who are condemned to die, as possible. The only way that he can save these people, many of whom he feels responsible for helping to have condemned, is to convince them to confess to witchcraft. John Proctor, a man that Reverend Hale initially does not trust and actually finds to be lacking in his Puritan faith, comes to realize that he is an honest man, a sinner, but not guilty of witchcraft. He is being used by the court, which Hale recognizes as corrupt. Saving John Proctor’s life is very important to Reverend Hale, he feels compelled to beg Elizabeth to convince her husband to confess and save his life. Hale believes that Proctor should be willing to say anything to save his life. He must lie and admit to witchcraft in order to be saved from the hangman’s noose. Since John and Elizabeth have been reunited and are expecting
