Act II

In Act II, Reverend Hale is still very confident and the town openly respects him as he settles into his role. He goes around town to talk to those accused of witchcraft, including the Proctors. John Proctor immediately sees what he’s doing and defends his wife. Hale probably begins to doubt Proctor when he cannot recite all ten commandments, but he gains his respect for him later and deems Proctor to be an honest man. Hale seems to be troubled by the number of people being dragged to prison by Cheever, and begins to doubt some of the accusations, especially those of Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor. Hale seems to be overwhelmed by the number of the accused and the ridiculous evidence that they are arrested on.