Two memorable characters created by Nathaniel Hawthorne are:
1. Hester Prynne: Hester Prynne is the central character in Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter." She is a strong and resilient woman who is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her clothing as a symbol of her adultery. Hester's character represents defiance, strength, and the ability to endure societal judgment and punishment.
2. Arthur Dimmesdale: Arthur Dimmesdale is a Puritan minister in "The Scarlet Letter" and is secretly involved in an adulterous relationship with Hester Prynne. He struggles with his guilt and the internal conflict between his private sin and his public role as a moral leader. Dimmesdale's character embodies themes of guilt, sin, and the consequences of secrecy and hypocrisy.