Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of those stories that nearly everyone has heard of. First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has been adapted for film, television, stage, manga, graphic novels, board games, card games, photographic retellings via guinea pig, and everything in between. It’s touted as the great love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, but the whole supporting cast of characters in this comedy of errors makes this story what it truly is.
From their first introduction, the Bennets—a gentleman, his anxious wife, and a loud, happy brood of daughters, all of whom have distinct temperaments and complications—are an engaging, dynamic assortment of personalities. They live in Longbourn, the family seat, several miles outside of the town of Meryton, where Mrs. Bennet’s family (and several friends of the Bennets) live. The novel begins when the Bennets discover they have a new neighbor at the nearby estate, Netherfield. The larger estate’s new resident is Mr. Bingley, a wealthy young gentleman, and he brings with him a few members of his family and his dear friend, Mr. Darcy. As more and more of our cast arrive in Hertfordshire, the plot continues to thicken.
So, who are the key players in Austen’s classic tale? Here is a rundown of the characters who play some role or another in the beloved comedy of errors. Please note: There will be significant spoilers for the plot of Pride and Prejudice ahead!
The Bennets
Mr. Bennet
He is the owner of Longbourn, a medium-sized family estate in Hertfordshire.
Mr. Bennet is the family patriarch, married to Mrs. Bennet (and her poor nerves).
He and his wife have five daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, none of whom can legally inherit property; therefore, his sole heir is a cousin, William Collins.
Mr. Bennet spends most of his time in his study in order to avoid the majority of the women in his family. He does, however, welcome the company of Elizabeth, whom he believes to be more clever than the others in most ways.
He desires peace and avoids conflict, occasionally leading to embarrassment and, in some cases, potential ruin.
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet is the family matriarch. She is primarily focused on getting all five of her daughters married and secure, since they can’t inherit.
Melodramatic and occasionally outrageous, she spends a lot of time gossiping with her sister, Mrs. Phillips, in Meryton or taking to her bed with "the vapours."
She is very encouraging of her outspoken youngest daughter, Lydia, which leads to trouble in several situations.
Jane Bennet
Jane is the eldest Bennet sister, relatively close in age to Elizabeth.
Considered the family beauty, she is the one upon which Mrs. Bennet places all of her ambition when it comes to marrying well.
She is generally kind and friendly, with a serene, shy demeanor.
At the Meryton assembly, Jane catches the eye of newcomer Charles Bingley, who has let the estate nearest to Longbourn.
After an evening dancing with Mr. Bingley at the Netherfield Ball, she spends time in London with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet’s brother and sister-in-law, in part to visit the Bingleys’ London home after they unexpectedly leave Hertfordshire.
She eventually forgives and accepts the proposal of Mr. Bingley when he returns to Netherfield the following autumn.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is the second-eldest Bennet sister, between Jane, the eldest, and Mary, the middle sister.
While likely closer in age and interests to Mary, she can more often be found spending time with Jane.
Upon meeting Mr. Bingley and his friends and family at a Meryton assembly, she overhears Mr. Darcy refer to her as “tolerable.”
She is considered a potential spouse to cousin William Collins, who will inherit Longbourn, but she turns down his proposal after the Netherfield Ball.
Elizabeth gains the favor of Mr. Wickham, an officer in the locally stationed militia, and she believes his story of wrongdoing by Mr. Darcy.
In the spring, she visits her best friend Charlotte Collins (neé Lucas) at Hunsford Parsonage in Kent, which serves Rosings Park, home of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, aunt of Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
She learns from Colonel Fitzwilliam that Mr. Darcy advised Mr. Bingley to leave Hertfordshire and cut ties with Jane Bennet.
Elizabeth is unknowingly admired by Mr. Darcy, who catastrophically proposes to her first at Hunsford, then later at Longbourn the following autumn.
She travels with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to Derbyshire, including to Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s country home, where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are reacquainted and Elizabeth meets and befriends Georgiana Darcy.
Later, after Lydia's marriage, she is confronted unexpectedly by Lady Catherine at Longbourn, regarding (then unfounded) news of a betrothal to Mr. Darcy, which gives her hope for the future.
She eventually marries Mr. Darcy, becoming Mrs. Darcy.
Mary Bennet
Mary is the middle Bennet sister, between Elizabeth and Kitty.
Solemn and opinionated, she spends a lot of time playing the family pianoforte and reading.
While present the entirety of the novel, Mary plays very little individual role in the progression of the story.
Catherine “Kitty” Bennet
Kitty is the fourth and second-youngest Bennet sister, between Mary and Lydia.
She is often found following the lead of Lydia, the youngest and most outspoken sister.
While present the entirety of the novel, Kitty plays very little individual role in the progression of the story.
Lydia Bennet
Lydia is the youngest Bennet sister, after Kitty.
Outspoken and considered “wild,” she often likes to walk into Meryton with her sisters to visit their Aunt Phillips or go to the shops.
She quickly befriends the officers of the newly arrived militia, including Colonel Forster (and his new young wife Harriet), Lt. Denny, and Lt. Chamberlayne, as well as George Wickham.
To the dismay of Elizabeth, Lydia joins her new friend Harriet Forster when the militia moves to Brighton, where she then runs off with George Wickham.
She eventually returns to Longbourn as Mrs. Wickham, accidentally revealing to Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was responsible for finding them in London and ensuring they marry.
The Bennet beaus (in order of proposals)
William Collins
Mr. Collins is a distant cousin to Mr. Bennet, set to inherit Longbourn due to an entail that passes property through the male line.
He is a member of the clergy, seated at Hunsford Parsonage in Kent.
He visits Longbourn to make himself known to the family and potentially marry one of the Bennet sisters.
He "sets his cap" for Elizabeth Bennet, but after being rejected, proposes instead to Charlotte Lucas, friend and neighbor to the Bennets.
He hosts Elizabeth at Hunsford with his wife, Charlotte, where he introduces her to his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
George Wickham
Mr. Wickham is a recently commissioned lieutenant in the local militia in Meryton.
He pays interest and court to multiple women in Meryton, including the newly wealthy Mary King, as well as both Elizabeth and Lydia Bennet.
Early in their acquaintance, he reveals that he grew up alongside Mr. Darcy as the son of the elder Mr. Darcy’s steward.
He deserts the militia in Brighton, with Lydia in tow, eventually marrying her at the insistence of Mr. Darcy.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Mr. Darcy is an orphaned young gentleman and the owner of Pemberley.
A good friend of Charles Bingley, he joins him and his family at Netherfield for an extended visit.
He is taciturn and quiet, except when in familiar company.
He can often be found in company with Caroline Bingley, Charles’s unmarried sister.
He acts as guardian to 16-year-old Georgiana Darcy, who George Wickham nearly swindled out of 30,000 pounds.
Mr. Darcy is the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and cousin to Anne de Bourgh, whom Lady Catherine hopes he’ll eventually marry in order to join their fortunes and to have access to Pemberley.
He arrives at Rosings with Colonel Fitzwilliam, who shares pertinent plot-forward information about Darcy with Elizabeth.
He tells Charles Bingley that Elizabeth Bennet is “tolerable” within obvious earshot, which leads to immediate dislike on her end. Yet, he quickly finds himself growing more and more interested in her every time they meet.
After a disastrous proposal at Hunsford, Mr. Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter explaining his role in breaking up Bingley and Jane, and reveals the truth about Wickham and Georgiana.
He meets Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner at Pemberley when they visit with Elizabeth, whom he then introduces to Georgiana.
After a great deal of drama, he eventually renews his betrothal suit to Elizabeth, who accepts and becomes Mrs. Darcy.
Charles Bingley
Mr. Bingley is the newest resident of Netherfield, a large estate abutting Longbourn, located outside of the town of Meryton.
His closest friend is Mr. Darcy, whom he invites to stay at Netherfield for an extended visit.
He is the brother of Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst and brother-in-law to Mr. Hurst.
A friendly and excitable gentleman, he is very eager to meet his neighbors.
He is invited to the Meryton assembly by Sir William Lucas, who then introduces him to the Bennet women, Mr. Bennet having met him earlier.
Immediately smitten with Jane Bennet, he pays a great deal of attention to her with intent.
After hosting Jane and Elizabeth at Netherfield, he is convinced by the younger Bennet sisters to host the Netherfield Ball for all of the Meryton neighbors.
After leaving Netherfield for an undisclosed reason—and eventually not returning—he later meets Elizabeth Bennet again at Pemberley.
He eventually returns to Longbourn to apologize and propose to Jane Bennet.
He marries Jane and eventually moves to Derbyshire to be closer to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
More friends and family
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Bennet’s sister and brother-in-law, live in Meryton and are visited by the Bennet ladies regularly.
Sir William Lucas and Lady Lucas are pompous members of the Meryton elite and parents to Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s closest friend.
Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth Bennet’s best friend, is more interested in security than love when it comes to marriage; she marries into the Bennet family via William Collins.
Edward Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet’s brother and sister-in-law, live in London and host the Bennet daughters when they want to visit. The Gardiners also take Elizabeth on the Derbyshire trip that brings her back into the orbit of Mr. Darcy.
Meet the in-laws:
Caroline Bingley, Charles Bingley’s younger, unmarried sister, who glibly dislikes the Bennets. She aims to marry Mr. Darcy and have Charles marry Georgiana).
Louisa and Mr. Hurst, Charles Bingley’s married sister and brother-in-law, who visit Netherfield as part of the initial party. Louisa and Caroline are snide gossipers, especially around the townspeople they consider beneath them.
Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy’s sister, who was once nearly ruined by George Wickham, and easily befriends Elizabeth Bennet at Pemberley.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, cousin to Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy and Anne de Bourgh, nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who visits Rosings with Darcy at the same time as Elizabeth.
Lady Catherine De Bourgh, the owner of Rosings Park, is aunt to the Darcys and Col. Fitzwilliam. She also travels to Longbourn unexpectedly to confront Elizabeth about marrying Darcy.
Anne de Bourgh is Lady Catherine’s daughter, whom she intends to marry off to Mr. Darcy.
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