Roger Chillingworth:
- Embraces Revenge: Chillingworth's primary focus shifts to seeking revenge against Dimmesdale for the affair he had with Hester Prynne, ultimately leading to his downfall.
- Dark and Brooding: He becomes increasingly consumed by his desire for revenge, appearing as a dark and brooding figure in the novel.
- Clandestine Investigations: Chillingworth secretly studies medicine to better understand the physical and psychological effects of guilt on Dimmesdale.
- Manipulation: He skillfully manipulates Dimmesdale's guilt and fears, playing a role in the minister's internal struggles and eventual downfall.
- Revenge at the Cost of His Own Identity: Chillingworth's quest for revenge becomes all-consuming, sacrificing his own well-being and identity in the process.
Arthur Dimmesdale:
- Internal Conflict: Dimmesdale becomes a deeply tormented individual due to the weight of his guilt and shame.
- Concealment of Sin: He hides the truth about his adulterous relationship from the public but bears the burden of guilt internally, impacting his physical and mental health.
- Struggle with Identity: Dimmesdale grapples with a crisis of identity as he lives a life of pretense, torn between his religious vocation and his hidden actions.
- Physical Decline: The intense guilt and inner conflict take a severe toll on his health, leading to a noticeable physical decline.
- Desire for Confession: Despite his struggle, Dimmesdale yearns for the release that comes with confessing his sin publicly, but he lacks the courage to do so fully.
- Recognition of True Evil: Dimmesdale eventually comes to recognize Chillingworth as a personification of evil, leading to his final, public acknowledgment of his sin.