Final answer:
Reverend Hale comes to regret his involvement in the Salem witchcraft trials. The West Indian servant whose tales initiated the witchcraft scare was Tituba. The witchcraft hysteria in the Massachusetts Bay Colony embodied the deep-seated Puritan beliefs in the devil's influence on society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regrets from Salem Witchcraft Trials
The individual known to regret his involvement in the Salem witchcraft trials is Reverend Hale. While others like Judge Hathorne, Reverend Parris, and Deputy Governor Danforth played influential roles in the trials, it was Reverend Hale who later reflected on the events and his part in them with remorse. Unlike the others, Hale's conscience is troubled by the outcomes of the trials, and he ultimately denounces the witch hunts and tries unsuccessfully to reverse some of the damage done.
Initiator of the Salem Witchcraft Scare
The West Indian servant who was involved at the start of the Salem witchcraft scare was Tituba. After several girls in Salem Village began to show signs of odd behavior and fits, they admitted to engaging in occult activities under the guidance of Tituba. These events stirred up fears of witchcraft and contributed to the ensuing hysteria that swept through the region. Tituba's connection to these initial incidents marks her as a pivotal figure in the onset of the witch trials in Salem Village.
Massachusetts Bay and Witchcraft Hysteria
The witchcraft hysteria in Massachusetts Bay Colony culminated in 1693, ending the period of fear-driven persecution. Influential figures, such as Cotton Mather, promoted the belief in witchcraft, considering its presence a palpable threat to their society. The hysteria was a reflection of the deep-seated belief in the devil's influence on society, a cornerstone of Puritan ideology.