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Essay On Chillingworth's Revenge

550 Words3 Pages

Revenge strips men of their morality by causing them to see another person as an object for their torment. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Roger Chillingworth’s vengeance consumes him and it becomes his life’s goal to torture his adversary. Chillingworth is the worst sinner because he seeks to end Dimmesdale, lies to maintain his sinful scheme, and never admits his wrongdoing. Chillingworth shows no restraint in persecuting Dimmesdale to achieve his ends. When he arrives in the town he finds that a man has committed adultery with his wife, which “[leads] him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy.” From that moment, Chillingworth swears to exact his retribution. He forms a plan which will only satisfy his selfish desire to destroy the man that wronged him. …show more content…

When Hester confronts the evil he has done, he asks, "what evil have I done the man?" Chillingworth sees Dimmesdale as the guilty man and believes he has been merciful, sparing Dimmesdale from death. Chillingworth becomes so consumed with vengeance that he is unable to see the evil of his actions. Chillingworth also exclaims, “that [Dimmesdale] now breathes and creeps about on earth is owing all to me!” Chillingworth is so deluded that he sincerely believes that he has saved Dimmesdale from death. In reality, he is the reason for Dimmesdale’s suffering. Chillingworth’s sin causes him to be so obstinate that he One may ask why Hester, Dimmesdale, or society are not worse sinners. When looking at each party’s sin it is easy to see who is the most corrupt. While Hester is unfaithful and Dimmesdale is culpable of living a lie, they both are able to accept their wrongdoing. The society is not guilty for their actions and beliefs as they are a product of their time. Chillingworth, however, is vindictive and unforgiving and seeks to ruin a man while the other three either make mistakes or live in

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