A villain, according to Webster's Dictionary, is a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. While there are several people that could be considered villains in the Scarlet Letter, including the townspeople, Mistress Hibbons,and Dimmesdale the ultimate villain is Roger Chillingworth. Roger Chillingworth is the biggest antagonist in Scarlett Letter because he was truly full of hatred and out for revenge; cold hearted schemer and evil, he exhibited all the characteristics of a villain.
First Chillingworth, Hester's husband, was never a nice man. The story indicates that even before Hester committed adultery that Chillingworth was a selfish husband, difficult and demanding often ignoring Hester. This left Hester lonely, and ultimately paved the road for her to cheat when he disappeared. Additionally, his outer appearance mirrored his inner self. He was not a good looking man, in fact he almost looked deformed and old. Once he returned from his year in captivity and discovered Hester's sin he immediately returned to his previous harsh treatment of Hester and vowed for vengeance. These type of characteristics are typical of the protocol villain. Chillingworth only cared about himself and his …show more content…
These are all characteristics of a villain. Chillingworth set out to torture Dimmesdale and Hester, the minute he found out she had a baby. In fact, he became so obsessed with vengeance that he became a different character altogether. He became calculated, cunning and plan evil. He relished in the demise of others specifically the demise of Hester and Dimmesdale; he becomes so consumed that he almost becomes the pawn of the devil. Every move and decision Chillingworth makes, throughout the novel, is to ensure that Dimmesdale is tortured. This obsession and negativity ultimately lead to not only Dimmesdale's death but also Chillingworth's
First Chillingworth, Hester's husband, was never a nice man. The story indicates that even before Hester committed adultery that Chillingworth was a selfish husband, difficult and demanding often ignoring Hester. This left Hester lonely, and ultimately paved the road for her to cheat when he disappeared. Additionally, his outer appearance mirrored his inner self. He was not a good looking man, in fact he almost looked deformed and old. Once he returned from his year in captivity and discovered Hester's sin he immediately returned to his previous harsh treatment of Hester and vowed for vengeance. These type of characteristics are typical of the protocol villain. Chillingworth only cared about himself and his …show more content…
These are all characteristics of a villain. Chillingworth set out to torture Dimmesdale and Hester, the minute he found out she had a baby. In fact, he became so obsessed with vengeance that he became a different character altogether. He became calculated, cunning and plan evil. He relished in the demise of others specifically the demise of Hester and Dimmesdale; he becomes so consumed that he almost becomes the pawn of the devil. Every move and decision Chillingworth makes, throughout the novel, is to ensure that Dimmesdale is tortured. This obsession and negativity ultimately lead to not only Dimmesdale's death but also Chillingworth's