Dimmesdale vs. Chillingworth

After reading up to the somewhat predictable end of The Scarlet Letter it is safe to say that it is easier to sympathize with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale rather than the evil Roger Chillingworth. Although Hester Prynne cheated on Chillingworth in New England while he was in Europe, Chillingworth's torturous punishment against Dimmesdale did not fit the crime. The marriage between Hester and the much older Chillingworth was not based on true love. It was one that was arranged, therefore the doctor could have easily moved on without adding to the misery of both the reverend and Hester Prynne. However, Chillingworth was only interested in causing more pain for the already ill Dimmesdale. Instead of helping the reverend while the two lived together, Chillingworth used the opportunity to confirm that Dimmesdale is, in fact, Pearl's father and Hester's lover and exact his revenge. Dimmesdale's agony led to his eventual death on the scaffold in the marketplace, leaving his audience in shock and Pearl fatherless. Dimmesdale did not deserve to die at such a young age nor did he deserve to be a victim of such wretchedness, therefore I feel more sympathetic towards him than the malevolent Roger Chillingworth.