Reverend John Hale is a scholar from Beverly and feels pride in the work he does. He comes to Salem on Reverend Parris' request to investigate the possibility that supernatural causes are causing Betty Parris' suspicious illness. Hale approaches the situation precisely and intellectually, believing that he can define the supernatural in definitive terms. Despite his early enthusiasm for discerning the presence of witchcraft in Salem, Hale soon grows disillusioned with the witchcraft accusations that are abundant and defends Proctor when he challenges Abigail. Hale defends Proctor to a great degree out of guilt, for he fears that he may have caused the execution of innocent persons. The character of John Hale transforms throughout the play, developing from a witch-hunter to a broken man who loses all of his beliefs in the judicial system.
John Hale, the intellectual, inexperienced witch-hunter, enters the play in Act I when Parris summons him to examine his daughter, Betty. In an extended commentary on Hale in Act I, Miller describes him as "a tight-skinned, eager-eyed intellectual. This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he has felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for- (Miller 32). Hale enters in a flurry of activity, carrying large books and projecting himself as a very knowledgeable man. At the start of the play, he is the force behind the witch trials, investigating the confessions and encouraging people to testify. .
In Act II, Rev. Hale starts showing sympathy towards the men and women who have been accused of witchery. He undergoes an internal crisis, feeling guilty that he might be responsible for all of the accusations. He seems to enjoy being called to Salem to fix things. It made him proud that his expertises are now finally in demand. However, he was surprised at hearing about Rebecca and Elizabeth's arrest, which reveals that Hale is no longer in control of the proceedings.