Mistress Hibbins, sister of the Governor and alleged witch is the only other person to know the truth. Through her contact with Hester, the witch who identifies as a fellow outcast with Hester's scarlet letter and endeavors to use the link to recruit her to Satan's coven.
The only people besides the minister himself and Hester Prynne who know the truth about his guilt are Roger Chillingworth, who is Hester's husband, and Dimmesdale's daughter, Pearl.
Roger Chillingworth is referred to as the leech in "The Scarlet Letter" because he attaches himself to Arthur Dimmesdale and feeds off his emotional and psychological suffering, much like a leech feeds off blood. Chillingworth's relentless pursuit of revenge and his torment of Dimmesdale drain the minister's vitality and contribute to his decline. Thus, the nickname emphasizes Chillingworth's parasitic and manipulative nature.
Dimmesdale
The cast of Self Confession - 2010 includes: Thom Huenger as himself
Hester Prynne's crime in "The Scarlet Letter" is committing adultery, as she has a child, Pearl, outside of her marriage to Roger Chillingworth. She is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest as a symbol of her sin.
In "The Scarlet Letter", Dimmesdale is initially enraged when he learns the true identity of Chillingworth from Hester. He blames her for keeping this information from him. However, after the embrace, he forgives her and blames himself for not seeing Chillingworth for who he actually was.
Chillingworth was called a leech in The Scarlet Letter because he metaphorically attached himself to Dimmesdale, draining him of spirit and vitality. This term reflects how Chillingworth's relentless pursuit of revenge consumed him, much like a leech feeding on blood.
Hester decides to speak to Chillingworth because she realizes that his revengeful nature is harming both her and Dimmesdale. She hopes to bring an end to their suffering by convincing Chillingworth to release Dimmesdale from his torment and to find peace for himself as well.
When Chillingworth says "No, not thine," he is rejecting the possibility that Dimmesdale's guilt and suffering are a result of external pressures or influences. Chillingworth believes that Dimmesdale's torment is self-inflicted and deeply rooted within himself. This dismisses any explanations that suggest someone else is responsible for Dimmesdale's internal struggles.
Chillingworth blames Dimmesdale for Hester's sin of adultery. He believes that Dimmesdale is the father of Hester's child and seeks revenge on him for his part in the affair.
Roger Chillingworth gains entrance to the prison by positioning himself as a doctor with expertise in natural remedies and healing. He convinces the prison warden that he can provide medical care for the imprisoned Hester Prynne.
Dimmesdale escapes Chillingworth by revealing his sin publicly during the Election Day procession, thus freeing himself from Chillingworth's hold over him. By confessing and acknowledging his guilt before the townspeople, Dimmesdale is able to gain his redemption and break free from Chillingworth's psychological torment.
Chillingworth attaches himself as a medical advisor to Reverend Dimmesdale in "The Scarlet Letter." He uses this position to manipulate and torment Dimmesdale, exploiting his vulnerability to seek revenge for perceived wrongs.