I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 4. When Danforth asks Hale why he has returned to the court, he makes this sarcastic reply to the supervising judge. Using verbal irony, the clergyman says that he is doing the Devil’s work asking people to lie and confess to witchcraft to save their lives. The blood on Hale’s head is a metaphor for his feelings of guilt over the court condemning and hanging innocent people with his help. Now more outspoken and less respectful to the court, Hale is not the same enthusiastic witch-hunter who arrived to Salem with complete confidence in the justice system.
He is now more concerned with preserving life than with collaborating with the court to kill "witches." We see the strength of Hale’s moral integrity here.
He is now more concerned with preserving life than with collaborating with the court to kill "witches." We see the strength of Hale’s moral integrity here.