Roger Chillingworth's Change In Scarlet Letter

“The Scarlet Letter” has many complex characters and one of the most complex is Roger Chillingworth. In order to understand the dramatic change in Chillingworth from being a simple man to a tragic figure that would sell his soul to the devil for revenge, the events in his life must be explained. Chillingworth was a married man who became a prisoner in a native tribe. When he was released, he discovered his wife, Hester Prynne, had committed adultery with an unknown man. The idea of getting his revenge on Hester’s lover stayed with him for the rest of his life. The changes that occurred in in Roger Chillingworth that turned him to the tragic figure of “The Scarlet Letter” were the result of his own decisions, and to an extent, the decisions of others. …show more content…
The answer isn't simply black or white. It could be because Chillingworth was absolutely in love with Hester, and the thought of her committing adultery made him mad with rage. It could also be that his time in captivity hardened his heart and made him a very hateful person. Another possible reason, is that he has always been a hateful person, and the news of Hester’s sin was the final straw. One or all or none of these answers could be correct. The only thing that is certain is that Chillingworth was willing to sell his soul to the devil to get revenge, And that is further than most men in his situation would go. The changes that Chillingworth undergoes are not only emotional but also his physical appearance. He goes from being an average man to almost demonic looking. His face and