Chillingworth doesn't want his true identity to be known so that he can sneak around and figure out who Pearl's father is without suspicion. If the town knew who he was, he wouldn't be able to do so.
Roger Chillingworth believes that revealing his identity as Hester's husband would expose his true intentions for seeking revenge on Dimmesdale and ultimately lead to his own downfall. He fears that his malevolent purpose would be known, leading to his own shame and possibly even physical harm or punishment.
No, Roger Chillingworth is not Hester Prynne's husband. Hester Prynne's husband is Roger's assumed identity, as his real name is revealed later in the novel as Roger Prynne.
Roger Chillingworth asks Hester to keep the secret that he is her husband and that he is seeking revenge on the man who had an affair with her.
well b/c she cheated on her man and committed adultery with someone else.
Chillingworth exacts a promise from Hester not to reveal his true identity as her estranged husband and to keep his true intentions towards Dimmesdale a secret.
Chillingworth asks Hester to keep his identity as her husband a secret because he wants to carry out his revenge on Dimmesdale without interference. By staying anonymous, he can manipulate Dimmesdale and observe him closely to exact his revenge. Additionally, revealing his identity could also expose his true intentions and jeopardize his plans.
The stranger in the crowd, later revealed to be Roger Chillingworth, vows revenge on the father of Hester Prynne's child, whom he believes to be responsible for Hester's shame. He makes it his mission to uncover the identity of the father and seek retribution.
Hester waited for two long years for her husband, Roger Chillingworth, to join her in Boston. Her patient anticipation for his arrival ultimately led to the revelation of Chillingworth's true identity and his descent into vengeance.
1. not to tell anyone his identity (her husband) 2. she won't say who the father is
Dimmesdale is shocked and horrified when Hester reveals Chillingworth's true identity as her estranged husband who has been posing as a physician. He feels guilty and conflicted because he had unknowingly allowed Chillingworth to care for him while concealing his true motives.
Hester can't tell that Chillingworth is her husband because he assumed a different identity to secretly seek revenge on her for her affair with Dimmesdale. The passage of time, along with the physical and emotional distance that have grown between them, also contribute to her inability to recognize him.
Hester's revelation about Chillingworth's true identity as her estranged husband has a profound impact on Dimmesdale. It deepens his guilt and accelerates his deteriorating physical and mental state as he grapples with the knowledge that Chillingworth has been purposely tormenting him under the guise of friendship. This revelation further complicates Dimmesdale's internal turmoil and contributes to his eventual downfall.
Roger Chillingworth is physician & Hester Prynne's husband.