Compeyson

Compeyson is the main antagonist of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. An adept swindler, he hires Magwitch to help him in his crimes, and he and Magwitch become partners in the art of thieving. However, he takes advantage of Magwitch and pays him extremely poorly and so Magwitch hates what they do. Compeyson is the one responsible for Miss Havisham's broken heart, as he was in league with her half-brother Arthur Havisham to rob Miss Havisham of her fortune by pretending to be devoted to her. Miss Havisham eventually fell in love with him, but Compeyson abandoned her just before their wedding, running away with her fortune and leaving Miss Havisham broken-hearted for the rest of her life. Eventually, he and Magwitch are caught, but due to Compeyson's good education and clean record, he was punished much less severely than Magwitch, who had been caught several times before. From then on, he and Magwitch were sworn enemies. Several years later, he catches Magwitch in a boat on the River Thames and attempts to arrest him. He and Magwitch have a struggle, and they both fall into the Thames. While Magwitch manages to free himself from Compeyson's grip and swim to safety, Compeyson meets his ultimate demise and drowns.