Even Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of all time, struggled to answer that age-old question: what's in a name? Are we defined by our first names, our nicknames, or by our personalities and our actions, including the mistakes we make? Nathaniel Hawthorne explores this idea with the characters in his novel The Scarlet Letter. Unlike modern-day Boston, Hawthorne depicts a time when there were no sins more deadly than the desire for revenge, corruption (especially in high society), and the extremely obvious act of adultery. Revenge is still important in today's society, but no one demonstrates such a need for revenge than Roger Chillingworth. A character who should be virtually sinless, Governor Bellingham's sister, Mistress Hibbins, represents corruption in the form of witchcraft in this Puritan town. There is perhaps no better representation of sin than Hester Prynne, who bears her sin publicly and constantly; Hester embodies sin, physically and mentally. From the beginning of the story, it was clear that everyone would be affected by Hester's unforgivable act, especially her betrayed husband; although he was not entirely innocent either. Nothing could match the mixed feelings Chillingworth feels toward his sinful wife, Hester; this idea is emphasized several times throughout the story. Even before suspecting Dimmsdale, during his first meeting with Hester, he expresses his opinion on the subject and it is clear that he is angry and vengeful about the illegitimate child. “'And now, Mistress Prynne... I will leave you alone; alone with your child and the Scarlet Letter. How are you, Hester? Does your sentence order you to wear the sign while you sleep? Aren't you afraid of nightmares and... middle of paper...... everyone, making this sin the ultimate act of betrayal of Puritan values. Embedded in the title itself, the entire book revolves around the Scarlet Letter, a universally known product on the nature of human sin; Hawthorne demonstrates many sins through the use of characters and their many flaws, which include vengeance, corruption, and the most obvious example of sin: adultery. Not only through the eyes of the narrator, but also through those of the characters, the countless examples of the pure nature of sin are found in the dialogue, events, and narration of Chillingworth, Hibbins, and Hester. Even knowing the character's beliefs and motivations, The Scarlet Letter's somewhat innocent characters are still defined by their worst mistakes; which again leaves the reader pondering the question: what's in a name? More specifically, the name of sin?