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In The Crucible, why does Hale advise Proctor to hire a lawyer?
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Hale advises Proctor to hire a lawyer because Proctor's actions and statements often contradict societal and religious norms, which a biased court would not favor. Proctor's disdain for Reverend Parris and his unconventional practices, like not attending church regularly, make him vulnerable in court. Hale, troubled by his conscience and the court's bias, believes a lawyer could effectively present Proctor's case and help ensure fair proceedings.
John Proctor does not always do or say what society would recommend. He does not get on well with Reverend Parris, and therefore, only two of his three children are baptized and he has not attended church regularly. He has even plowed his fields on some Sundays.
Hale questions Proctor about these matters in Act 2. To Hale, Proctor says "I see no light of God in that man," and Hale replies, "that is not for you to decide." Proctor does and says what he believes, but this is not exactly what a Christian court wants to hear. Hale, about to depart, advises Proctor: "let the third child be quickly baptized, and go you without fail each Sunday in to Sabbath prayer; and keep a solemn, quiet way among you." However, Cheever then comes in with a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest—a warrant that Proctor rips up in a rage. Hale...
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knows that in a biased court, Proctor is unable to keep his temper and present arguments that the biased judges will accept.
Additionally, at the point in Act 3 when Hale begs of Danforth to "send him home and let him come again with a lawyer," Hale is troubled by his own conscience. Hale is directly involved in the court's judgment because he is the one signing the death warrants—seventy-two of them, to be exact. With honorable citizens being questioned and contradictory statements flying about the courtroom, Hale has some doubts and does not want to be involved if there is any doubt:
I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it [. . .] I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. I'll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound! I pray you, sir, this argument let lawyers present to you.
Hale asks for a lawyer as an attempt to stop the court proceedings, and also because he knows that Proctor does not "play the game," so to speak, as the court wants him to.