Ranking Jane Austen's Men: Who Will be #1? Mr Darcy, Mr Knightley, Captain Wentworth and More

Cyber Month Deal! Go to nordvpn.com/ellie to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this video. ✨ Coupon Code: ellie 📱 Ah, the many great guys of Jane Austen's novels. In this video, I rank men from Pride and Prejudice and other Austen novels from my least favorite to my most favorite. I include some minor characters, some major characters and some sketchy characters. Watch now to see who takes the number one spot, will it be Mr Knightley from Emma, Captain Wentworth from Persuasion or just classic Mr Darcy?
💕
INSTAGRAM @elliedashie ➝ / elliedashie
WEBSITE ➝ elliedashwood.com
FTC DISCLAIMER
This video is sponsored by NordVPN. Links may be affiliate links which means I'll receive a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my channel.
📽 OTHER VIDEOS TO WATCH
Is Death Comes to Pemberley Worth Reading? Miniseries and Book Review • Is Death Comes to Pemb...
Is Darcy Actually Rich? Regency Era Economics Examined • Is Darcy *Actually* Ri...
How to Size Up a Single Man of Large Fortune? • How to Size Up a Singl...
Am I Really Elinor Dashwood? Jane Austen Heroines Quiz: • Am I *really* Elinor D...
How to Attract Henry Tilney: Northanger Abbey Analysis • How to Attract Henry T...
Vea otros videos con subtítulos en español:
• Ellie Dashwood | Subti...
✨✨ Try Audible: amzn.to/45Uzoqb
❤️ Shop my Amazon favorites: amzn.to/45WBoOM
💕 INSTAGRAM @elliedashie bit.ly/2uKR4TM
🧐 LEARN MORE
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Novel go.magik.ly/ml/1u43m/
1940 Movie: amzn.to/43uQwBy
1995 Miniseries (Colin Firth Version): amzn.to/42zFoSm
2005 Movie (Kiera Knightly Version): amzn.to/3qCNVqE
Audiobook read by Rosamund Pike: amzn.to/3MTE1Iy
Emma
Novel: go.magik.ly/ml/1u441/
1996 Movie: amzn.to/43RxXal
2009 Miniseries: amzn.to/3qEJM5f
2020 Movie: amzn.to/45Yl9AM
Audiobook: amzn.to/42xBDNl
Sense and Sensibility
Novel: go.magik.ly/ml/1u43s/
Miniseries 2008: amzn.to/3oYpweI
Movie 1996: amzn.to/3J7gwe2
Northanger Abbey
Novel: go.magik.ly/ml/1u43z/
BBC Movie 2007: amzn.to/43tyFe4
Audiobook: amzn.to/3qrEuKo
Mansfield Park
novel: go.magik.ly/ml/1u446/
Billie Piper Version: amzn.to/467BbbQ
Persuasion
Novel: go.magik.ly/ml/1u43y/
Movie 1997: amzn.to/3J6UqZb
Movie 2008: amzn.to/3oX1XTs
🎨 FAVORITE CLASSIC ART COLLECTIONS
Rijks Museum: www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection
Musee du Paris: www.parismuseescollections.pa...
Yale Center for British Art: collections.britishart.yale.edu/
Massachusetts Digital Commonwealth: www.digitalcommonwealth.org/
💻 KZbin TOOLS I USE
✨ Camera, Audio, Lighting, Tech ➝ obsw.it/s/3vyp
Editing Software ➝ adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:110...
Website Hosting ➝ go.shopmy.us/p-1619829
KZbin SEO Tool (CODE: elliedashwood)➝ www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=e...
Stock Footage & Images ➝ 1.envato.market/Ea9D7n
Music ➝ www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
🕰 WATCHING GUIDE
00:00 Ranking Jane Austen's Men [Intro]
00:51 Captain Denny from Pride and Prejudice
02:14 Tom Bertram from Mansfield Park
04:59 My least favorite main hero
05:32 My other least favorite hero
06:21 Captain Benwick from Persuasion
07:40 Colonel Fitzwilliam from Pride and Prejudice
08:54 Robert Martin from Emma is so sweet
09:43 Colonel Brandon has a type, Sense and Sensibility
10:31 Captain Wentworth is an obstinate headstrong navy captain
11:30 Bingley is perfect for Jane
11:44 Number 3
13:51 Number 2
15:49 Number 1
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
#janeausten #janeaustenmen #prideandprejudice

[@EllieDashwood]

Cyber Month Deal! Go to nordvpn.com/ellie to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. ✨ Coupon Code: ellie

[@Oz4rmEg]

Mr Knightly is my favourite Jane Austen gentleman ❤️❤️❤️

[@katelynpanter1185]

I was wondering if you give an analysis of Henry Crawford’s character? Love your stuff!

[@lucianasoriagutierrez5593]

I am the only one who believes that Mr. Weston(from Emma) is an underrated sweet man who just wants to make everyone happy?He is the sweetest. Miss. Taylor got married with an amazing guy(and she totally deserved it)

[@EllieDashwood]

He is so sweet!!!

[@lindascott3973]

Totally agree! He's a wonderful example of an amiable gentleman who is always thinking of how to bring enjoyment and fun to his community.

[@debbiericker8223]

He also married a woman without fortune and who was on the cusp of being too old to bear him a son who would carry on his last name. He's a gem, for sure. He and Miss Taylor are a lovely, lucky couple.

[@lucianasoriagutierrez5593]

@@debbiericker8223 definitely!

[@lindascott3973]

@@debbiericker8223 yes! Isn't it interesting that his son is such a user while he is such a gem.

[@JacquelineViana]

Regarding Colonel Brandon, Dr. Cox observed that his backstory is pure gothic fanfiction, making him the perfect romantic hero for Marianne though she never realized it.

[@chukatze]

Dr. Cox is amazing, without her I wouldn't have gained that perspective. Before, I thought Brandon was so, so strange XDDD

[@dorothywillis1]

I have always thought that was a special joke Austen hid for readers who were especially clever elves!

[@DaisyNinjaGirl]

@@dorothywillis1 Dr Cox definitely makes me feel more clever by proxy. I like the way Dr Cox compares Eliza Brandon to Marianne - the first falls and her body physically cannot sustain living in sin, vs Marianne is confused, gets unwell _and then recovers_.

[@claireconolly8355]

True! I listen to Dr Cox, was so interesting

[@JacquelineViana]

@@DaisyNinjaGirl we all get smarter by proxy just by watching Ellie's and Dr Cox's videos 😍

[@FaerieDust]

I just really like how Darcy respects Elizabeth so much. He takes Elizabeth's criticism of his behaviour, reflects on it, realizes she's partially right - right in re: his behaviour to her, obviously completely misinformed re: the Wickham situation. And then he makes the active decision to 1) clear up the misinformation, and 2) improve his own behaviour. He shows a respect for Elizabeth - for Elizabeth's intellect - that I love. He even indirectly-but-obviously remarks on it at one point at Netherfield, when talking about "accomplished" women and how he thinks they should improve their mind by reading. He values intellect in a way I don't think we see much in other Austen heroes (though I'm definitely not as familiar with the rest of her work as I am with P&P, so I might be wrong). He respects her, he accepts her refusal (in stark contrast to Mr Collins, who very much didn't), he does this MASSIVE good thing for her (fixing the whole elopement mess) but he very specifically doesn't want her to know about it - I'm convinced it's because he doesn't want her to feel indebted to him, since he still want to marry her and doesn't want any feelings of gratitude or debt to sway her. He specifically wants to ask her again without her knowing, and I just love that kind of integrity. And I love that he fesses up to Bingley, because he knows he fucked up and he does all he can to fix that. I love that he treats Georgiana so well, and doesn't let the Wickham thing affect his relationship with her. He doesn't stop Elizabeth from periodically paying off Lydia and Wickham's debts, presumably purely because Lydia is Elizabeth's sister. It's just so, so good. He loves Elizabeth, but to me it's more important that he respects her so much. He changes, not _for_ her, but because he accepts her criticism as valid and that makes him want to be a better person - even though she's already turned him down. They're good for each other in a way I don't think all the other couples are.

[@marig9236]

i long for my own mr darcy. where is he ??

[@shayb8129]

I absolutely agree, I think so many people miss out on this but his respect for her and her opinions (especially at a time when women’s opinions weren’t particularly valued) is defo what makes him the best Austen hero.

[@KarenSDR]

I'm on team Knightly. He seems the most intelligent of all the guys, and he reminds me of my dad and my husband. I love how patient he is with Emma's father. And he's kind to Harriet. Sure he lectures Emma, but holy cow, she deserves it.

[@celeluwhen]

100%! Just imagine, in a parralel universe, M. Knightley marrying Jane Fairfax instead. He'd be the best husband! They would be perfect for each other!!!!

[@hoyenyen6022]

Mr. Knightley moves to Hartfield after their wedding, that is a great deal of sacrifice on his part.

[@lavitaebella27]

Agreed! I also married a Mr Knightley and only realized it while rewatching the Emma mini-series. He has surpassed Mr Darcy in my view, always stable and kind.

[@pigeondance687]

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley will forever be tied for me i think, i love how Darcy respects Lizzie, how he's able to grow and change, i also love how awkward he can be lol. and Knightley's relationship with Emma is just perfect, they really feel like best friends, which is what your partner is supposed to be. he also respects Emma, which is why he wants her to be her best self. he's also really intelligent and witty. they represent different sides of healthy masculinity, and i love them both

[@monicad99]

what a sacrifice, he moved from one mantion to another neighboiring one.@@hoyenyen6022

[@CapriUni]

Please note that this response in defense of Captain Wentworth is from someone who first read _Persuasion_ when she was at a socially comparable age to Anne Elliot, and so first "met" the fine Naval Captain when she was no longer interested in the heady whirlwinds of *first* love and romance. The short version: I don't think he *is* headstrong, at all. The long version: The whole novel is told through Anne's P.O.V., and if she were a character in a modern novel, her disposition would be described as "suffering from clinical depression" (thanks to the seven-almost-eight years of emotional gaslighting and abuse from her father and elder sister), so she's *interpreting* Captain Wentworth's actions through that lens, and she's *assuming* that he's still angry with her for taking Mrs. Smith's advice, and going back on her acceptance of his first marriage proposal, starting with (Mary's report) that he said Anne was much changed from the last time they saw each other; Anne concludes that he now thinks she's too old, but he might have meant that he remembered her being happy, and he's now surprised to see her so withdrawn. But he's always "just sort of happens" to be in the same room as Anne. And even though they don't speak directly very often (there *is* that scene when they first meet up in Bath, and start to get into a conversation -- when they're alone -- only to be interrupted by Mr. Elliot), Captain Wentworth is *still* looking out for Anne's needs (even though he's resigned to the possibility that *she* no longer loves *him*), as when she's trying to look after Young Charles and his broken arm, while trying to fend off toddler Walter, Captain Wentworth is the only one to step in and quietly lifts Walter off her neck, without making a fuss. And he's also the only one to notice how tired she is on the way home from the long family trek, and is the only one to speak up on her behalf. Conclusion: their love is still equally requited after all these years, but they are also equally mutually idiots about the whole thing.

[@AImitacaoDaRosa]

Very accurate!

[@isabellearaujo8991]

Agreed!!

[@ccburro1]

Yes, yes, and yes. Though he admitted in his letter that he had been “weak and resentful” regarding the whole thing. It’s too bad that the two of them couldn’t/didn’t openly discuss the problem AT the time. Then perhaps write each other and then we he got his fortune, reapply for her hand in marriage.

[@ya_fbr]

this is a very interesting and unique way of interpreting persuasion! it is not the most common one, which is especially evident by film adaptations (the 1995 movie in particular shows wentworth as *very* angry and headstrong). but i like this way of looking at it, it makes wentworth even more swoon-worthy than he already is.

[@matthewzito6130]

I'm not sure if Wentworth is certain that Anne ever loved him (at least at the beginning of the story). Meanwhile, the fact that he seems cold and distant may be as much about him guarding himself from further heartbreak than it is about him being angry, stubborn or proud.

[@noellova]

I agree with everything else but I do think Captain Wentworth learned his lesson and deserves more credit. Yes he was petty towards Anne and kind of led Louisa on in the process, but he does some self-reflection between Lyme and Bath and realises how dumb he's been. As he says at the end: "Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant." But Persuasion is my favourite book so I may be biased :'D

[@emmarichardson965]

Yes!! Persuasion is my favorite too, because I love the maturity of Anne and Wentworth's story. They loved, lost, and now they are older and they still love.

[@Hana9916]

I can totally dig the fact that he's petty at the beginning since he had his heart broken. But even though he's desperately trying to hate her, he's powerless against Anne actually being a good person. Jane is the best at depicting relatable flaws (like, to paraohrase Darcy 'I don't have the talent of conversing easily with strangers')

[@redalcock4704]

My favourite book too. Captain Wentworth and Anne are perfect because they have been through so much including heartache. They appreciate each other so much more because of the mistake that Anne made in refusing him the first time. Bittersweet at times, the conclusion is so much more satisfying because of the emotional pain that they have both been through.

[@andreathompson7896]

I think Wentworth is probably one of the most relatable characters because we can all understand how awkward he must feel being back around his ex, that he still has feelings for. No one can really judge him harshly if he doesn't handle it well. I love your point about everything through Anne's eyes.

[@ahouseoffigs]

I personally love Henry Tilney the best, his personality and the way he interacts with Catherine when they first met is adorable. I think he comes off like he doesn't respect her as an equal because she is more naive than he actually realizes, a lot of the dialogue implies he believes she is more socially aware than she really is. It's a misunderstanding, just like he believes she is an heiress based on what his father is told. There's a lot of layers! But the friendship between him and his sister is very endearing, and I think it's evidence he does respect women and Cathy, he just doesn't understand she's as inexperienced and artless as she truly is. I hope that makes sense!

[@mittenista]

Yes! He's like a male version of Lizzy Bennet, but a little more mature. And I think that's only because he's a little older than her. I think he'd be the best husband, intelligent, educated, fun, caring, respectful, doesn't look down on women and "women's things" like novels and muslin. I bet their marriage was tons of fun. My ideal man would be two parts Tilney, one part Darcy, and just a teeeeny splash of Wickam.

[@archervine8064]

I think I have to agree, at least for myself. Mr Darcy is great, but so much of the reason he works as a love interest is that Elizabeth is bringing in the fun and spontaneity. My own tendency is to be more serious and even a bit uptight; we would be too much alike .

[@sheleavitt06]

And let’s not forget that he goes directly against his father’s orders and marries the woman he loves. Like wow that is awesome considering that he will be cut off from any inheritance and only have his parish to live on; I’m just saying that takes way more courage than Darcy who is his own master having one disapproving aunt about his choice in a bride it’s just not even a close comparison. (I was going to say that Tilney was the only one of Jane Austen’s heroes who went against a parent’s wishes and was cut off but then I remember Senes and Sensibility exists…so yeah)

[@chukatze]

Totally makes sense, I read their relationship exactly the same way. He's also actually kind of weird (and a grammar nazi, if his entirely too annoyed tangent on the word "nice" is an indicator) and he knows, I think he even describes himself as such at one point. His jokes don't have a designated target, sometimes he makes a little fun of his sister, sometimes of Catherine, of himself, the world, artists, people who use "nice" wrong, nobody is safe. I've always thought that it was a big factor in him falling SO HARD for Cathy - he could be himself around her and she actually *liked* what she saw, instead of being put off by his dry comments and odd tangents. Secondly, I have a sneaking suspicion that he's just not sure how to impress Catherine, so he starts teasing her. As one does, when one wants the attention of a pretty girl and has no better idea on how to get it. I've always read him as someone that was a little lonely, covering up a good amount of awkwardness, and dealing with a difficult family life mostly through sarcasm and resignation. He seemed like he had some very solid walls up, which Cathy in all her glory just waltzed right through without noticing. Besides, telling your super rich abusive dad where he can shove his inheritance because he was disrespectful to the girl you love is rather telling, I think.

[@archervine8064]

@@sheleavitt06 random thought, but if we think of some sort of meta Austenverse without Jane Bennet, what would you say to Fanny Price and Charles Bingley as a match? I could see them getting along well. He is more sociable than Edmund Bertram and more moral than Henry Crawford, which I think would do her good, and on his side she’s about as sweet as Jane but perhaps even firmer in her principles which would counterbalance his seeming tendency to be a people pleaser.

[@kirstenirwin9084]

Colonel Fitzwilliam really is a good guy. Just because he can't marry Lizzie, that doesn't stop him from being friends with her and being respectful and not at all snobby. Mr. Gardnier is also underrated. He and his wife have one of the most balanced and respectful marriages and it's easy to see why Lizzie and Darcy get along with them so well. I want a spinoff about the Gardnier children and how they use their parents' loving marriage as a guiding point.

[@jmarie9997]

I agree with most of this... but I just don't like Colonel Fitzwilliam. I can't tell you why.

[@lbebko9154]

Darcy definitely undergoes the most personal growth of any Austen hero and what I like so much about him is that he changes into this better version of himself even though he thinks he doesn’t have any chance with Elizabeth. I love that it’s not a story of a woman changing a man, it’s a man changing himself because he has come to recognize his own flaws. He’s the best Austen hero because he puts in the work. And Denny might be a cad but he’s a real dish in those (1995) regimentals…

[@shinetilly]

I’m a Tilney fan 😊 I never read him as disrespectful. Teasing but not disrespectful. Maybe I’m reading what I like into it though because I’ve always related most with Catherine.

[@EllieDashwood]

I’ve always loved his and Catherine’s teasing relationship! It’s not entirely that but rather the entire power structure and interaction of their relationship? I’m horrible at explaining it. Lol. I feel like the respect thing is super subtle and something I didn’t really notice or think about until I was older re-reading the book.

[@servantrose]

i completely agree Sarah, I didn't see it. he's actually my favorite jane austen guy, 2nd is knightley...(laughs inside) then darcy

[@gaveyoucookie9845]

@@servantrose Same here. He was so funny and kind from the beginning on and he could have been mad about the whole thing with John, Isabella and James but he believed Cathrine. And when she gets the letter from her brother he comforts her after he noticed immediatly that something is wrong. I would totally fall for him.

[@cmm5542]

Yes, I quite agree with you, Sarah! He is my favourite Austen hero after Mr Knightley (excuse me a moment while I swoon . . .) Okay, I'm back. I consider myself a fairly strong, independent woman, if old-fashioned, but I like autocratic men who are even stronger 😁. That's what wins my respect: I don't like doormats. But I still admire Darcy for being willing to change for Elizabeth; it's a nice balance of strong and considerate.

[@AndthenonedayIbecameanEXO-L]

Tilney is totally underrated as the whole book. He loves to tease Catherine, but never really mocks her and always makes sure she is aware as to not make jokes on her expense in front of others and such

[@martaj7614]

So I'm not romantically interested in men, but I think Mr Darcy is objectively the best because he is the only character who demonstrates a total understanding of consent. It is something he learns thoughout the book, and it holds up even today. In his first proposal he says "you must allow me to tell you" - taking away Elizabeth's agency to say no, which is why he deserves to get shut down as brutally as he is. In his second proposal, he amended (or explained) everything she criticised him for and so starts off with "one word from you will silence me on the subject forever" - showing that he can now take a "no" and back off. I think his character arch is a great thing for people to read in order to learn how to behave in a relationship!

[@EllieDashwood]

Wow, that’s a super interesting comparison of those two scenes! He definitely grew up in between!

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

I agree entirely. His first proposal displays his arrogance from the very start. The fact that he prefaces his second with "You can tell me to shut up right now if you like." shows just how much he's grown as a person.

[@shirleycolopy4322]

Wow!!! Great observation!!! Mr Darcy will always win hands down to me. 💞

[@Nepustus]

I've always liked Colonel Fitzwilliam, he seemed like a nice, interesting and reliable guy in the 2005 film and even more so after I read the book. I really liked the relationship between him and Elizabeth too

[@mizofan]

Is the 1995 TV series not better? Or just that you prefer the 2005 Fitzwilliam?

[@minervarose7664]

From the secondary characters, i really like Colonel Fitzwilliam.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Robert Martin in modern times was portrayed brilliantly in ‘Clueless’.

[@Mutable1]

Yes! I could have gone to school with the Clueless RM. That whole movie was my gateway drug as a kid to Jane Austen. As soon as I found out Clueless was a remake I had to read/know the original. Now here I am fangurling a KZbin fan!

[@bee-here]

I've always loved Henry Tilney the most. The sense of humor wins me over.

[@xletragedyx]

Agree! He is so sweet and patient, too. And so considerate of his sister. I put him first, and Wentworth and Knightley last.

[@rachellesch8681]

I relate to Catherine Morland the most out of any Jane Austen heroine and as someone who struggles with social awkwardness and anxiety, I found it really sweet how Mr. Tilney went out of his way to make Catherine feel included and comfortable at the dance where they meet. This is why I lean towards Mr. Tilney being my favorite Jane Austen guy.

[@cmm5542]

I just read Northanger Abbey again over Christmas. I love Henry Tilney - he reminds me so much of my brother. They have the same sense of humour and social confidence, and are both fond of their sisters! (Although you wouldn't necessarily pick it up from just listening to them TALK . . . they both do love to tease. 😁). But I think Mr Knightley might still outrank him for me just a very little bit.

[@mikespangler98]

On Edmund Bertram, Mrs Norris's plan worked. Fanny was thoroughly in the the sister zone for 503 out of 505 pages. And Edmund was not the sharpest tool in the shed. In fact, none of the Bertrams were particularly bright.

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂

[@JacquelineViana]

Considering Fanny's situation in life, he's the best possible outcome for her. However, had she had more apportunity to go out there, see the world, interact with more people, she would definitely do better. We always tend to see her situation through modern lenses but yes, had she lived in 2021 in which she would have definitely ended up in a way better situation.

[@PBVStudios]

@@JacquelineViana I do not quite agree, Edmund was exactly what Fanny wanted. They had everything in common, both virtuous, honorable, and right-minded. Mary mixed more with the world and she never found anyone better than Edmund.

[@glendodds3824]

@@PBVStudios The fact that Edmund was religious and wanted to be a good clergyman partly counts against him in the eyes of some Austen fans.

[@PBVStudios]

@@glendodds3824 yeah I guess so🥲 but actually every Jane Austen hero is religious, isn’t it so?

[@kiranbasra4118]

I'm kind of into Colonel Fitzwilliam. He's the dependable bouncy golden retriever of Austen.

[@andraste6746]

Great description!

[@Kelly-zv6ui]

I’d rank Wentworth above Bingley because he makes the choice to reach out on his own, not because his friend told him too. Also, his declaration is so romantic. Even when he was hurt, he still tried to take care of Anne, like on the walk. He also doesn’t reach out to Anne till he got out of the mess he made with Louisa

[@AndthenonedayIbecameanEXO-L]

That's not appreciated enough in his character. He realised he foolishly got tangled up with Louisa, but was prepared to honour everyone's expectations to marry her if it wasn't for her falling in love with the other guy. And while he already admitted to himself he is not over Anne, he didn't do anything and waited until he was sure the matter between him and Louisa was fully over, and risked she might fall in love with other, cause I bet the rumours of Mr. Elliot got to him as well, and only then arrived in Bath in hopes to win Anne over.

[@charlottevanlangevelde1114]

No way! Mr. Knightley should definitely rank at least second or even first! He is very helpful and respectful of Emma. Yes, he scolds her, but he does it out of love.. Especially after she Emma teasing miss Bates, he scolds her not because he wants to lecture her, but because it hurts him to see her behaving this way..

[@cmm5542]

He's first for me, then Tilney, then Darcy. I honestly don't care about any of the others - but I haven't read Persuasion yet so hold the phone on that one 😁. (I think Edmund Bertram, Bingley, and Robert Martin are absolute sweethearts, but that's not my type. I'd want them as brothers or sons, not sweethearts.)

[@kawaibakaneko]

What I love about Knightley it's the scolding, he don't try to endear himself to Emma, he want her to be best person she can be.

[@Mary-cz5nl]

He is also willing to take care of Emma's father

[@Chelseyandfam]

I’m going to have to put Mr Knightly at #1. You make a good point that he does lecture Emma a bit much, however I never viewed it from a parent/child light. I felt that he lecture her because he wanted to see her reach her full potential as a lady and that to me was endearing. Also, I love how gentlemanly he is, it warms my heart ❤️. Lastly, I’m probably biased because I loved the 2009 bbc adaptation of Emma and it just so happens my own husband strongly resembles Jonny Lee Miller 😆

[@EllieDashwood]

I love the 2009 version of Emma!!!!!! Your husband’s look alike plays a great Mr Knightley. 👍🏻😃😂

[@racheldavin7763]

I would have to put Mr. Knightley at #1 as well. Not only does he treat Miss Bates kindly, he (rightfully, in my book) rips Emma a new one for being not just catty, but downright cruel to her. On the one hand, he recognizes the "responsibility" (for lack of a better word) the rich in this society have to their poorer neighbors. On the other hand, he speaks of Mr. Martin as if he were an equal (which he really was), even so far as calling him a friend. And as a side note, y'all can keep Johnny Lee Miller, I'll take the 1996/Jeremy Northam version. 😋

[@Plutoisthe9thplanet]

That’s my favorite version too I think both of them make the great couple and honestly the music is enduring :) love the dance scene esp

[@sassycatz4470]

@@racheldavin7763 I loved the Jeremy Northam version. He's definitely my favorite Knightley as well.

[@Cybele09]

I loved him until he made that one comment about him loving Emma since she 'was 14'. Like, if you're a 30 year old man (which he was when Emma was 14), you have no business looking at a child like that. Probably just my too modern sensibilities but if I could delete one line from any book to make it better it would be that. Would literally triple my love for Emma and their relationship..

[@sArnoldsdotter]

A few days late to the party, as I had to do a re-read of Northanger Abbey to see if I remembered my favourite Mr Tilney so wrongly. Nope, he's still my favourite. I can't see him being disrespectful to Catherine anywhere. A bit teasing, yes, but he's the same to Eleanor, whom he evidently both loves and respects. Some people just have a teasing manner, and as long as it's not cruel, that's fine. He *did* give Catherine a bit of a talking-to after the whole suspecting his dad to be a murderer thing, but he wasn't mean about it at the time, and he was very attentive to her after, not because he wanted to get back in her good book, but because "Catherine had never wanted comfort more, and he looked as if he was aware of it". She needed comfort because she was so ashamed of herself, and mortified that he knew how silly she had been, and he wanted to make her happy again. He's not faultless, but all in all, I think he'd make an excellent and loving husband.

[@xletragedyx]

He reminds me of my own husband. Just gentle and caring, but with a great sense of humor. He's got a strong sense of morality and duty, and though I am older, he's got such a good head on his shoulders that I consult him for everything I hesitate to decide. He's also an excellent brother, which highly recommended him! He and his sister are really good friends, and she and I really like each other as well. If I ever told him he was disrespecting me, it would hurt him deeply. Henry Tilney could teach a lot about being a good husband!

[@cmm5542]

I agree. I just read the book again after seeing this video last year; and was reminded just why I love Tilney so much - the best of them all besides Mr Knightley, for me. Henry is exactly like my brother - honestly, modernize the language a little and some of the lines I could swear in court they stole from each other! I guess having that opportunity to be teased by someone you know loves and respects you, helps towards identifying in others/in book characters whether teasing comes from attraction or if it's being mean. It might be harder for girls without brothers/sisters/friends who teased them in fun to feel comfortable with a boyfriend who does without a learning curve first on how it works, I suppose; but Catherine has brothers too, though Austen is clear none of the Morlands have Henry's style of wit! I think that's part of what intrigued her about him. Another thing about Henry I had forgotten is that he's a clergyman. He has to be able to see people as they are without becoming cynical or bitter towards them in order to do his job well (not that there weren't clergymen who did that job very poorly - yes, we're looking at you, Mr Elton and Mr Collins), and I think that gives even more depth to his reproach of Catherine about her suspicions of his father. He doesn't just want to defend his father or 'put Catherine right'; he comes across as genuinely concerned that Catherine could get herself spiritually and emotionally hurt by taking up these kinds of ideas - and I also think he felt a bit guilty himself. I read another comment saying that Henry often talks to Catherine as if he were mistakenly assuming she were MORE intelligent and less naive than she actually is, which is actually quite complimentary and I think a good take on their burgeoning relationship. He was probably quite shocked to learn Catherine actually was taking her Gothic novels as true to life, and he would have remembered joking with her earlier by pretending Northanger would be like her novels on their way there. I wonder if he thought she had been negatively influenced by his teasing, and that could be part of why he is so serious in his response afterward, because he doesn't want to mislead Catherine again by making a joke of her suspicions instead. And as you say, he went out of his way to be kind to her afterward to make sure Catherine didn't start thinking of herself as wrong or stupid for making that mistake. He never brings it up again - even though it would be excellent teasing fodder (my brother would never have let me forget it tbh - though I suppose if I cried over it like Catherine did he MIGHT be more sensitive . . .) Catherine can be certain Henry will NEVER tell his father about her suspicions and risk him using that against her. And of course Catherine is proved later to be right in suspecting the General's character, though in a totally different regard, and Henry is very humble about this. He tries to defend both his father and brother at times, because he's clearly devoted to his family (something he and Catherine share), but he accepts when Catherine correctly condemns their behaviour and doesn't try to make her like his relatives no matter how they behave. Anyway, I just love him. 🙂

[@amandas3977]

I definitely agree with #1. Mr. Darcy is the obvious choice, but with very good reason. I also have a story about an English teacher commenting on my love life with the bonus fact that we were reading Pride and Prejudice in class at the time. My teacher overheard my friends and me talking about my crush on a guy in my English Lit class. He compared our situation (loosely) to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's, but then hinted that the guy was just arrogant, and did not have all the other good qualities that Mr. Darcy has. It would be like if Mr. Darcy really was the way Elizabeth thought he was at the beginning of the story. Basically, my English Lit teacher thought I could do better and told me so.

[@EllieDashwood]

That is so funny! That was such a deeper, literary meddling. 😂

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

Wish I'd had your English Lit teacher in high school. Mine was the kind of idiot who honestly thought Romeo and Juliet was a sweet love story.

[@amandas3977]

@@Katherine_The_Okay Oh no! That is a bad lesson! I definitely feel fortunate to have had my teacher when I did. I have him to thank for my introduction to Jane Austen and my love of classic literature. (He was a big Janeite himself!) He was a very beloved teacher in our town because he genuinely cared so much about his students (beyond meddling in our love lives). Teachers can make such a huge difference in the lives of their students!

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

@@amandas3977 Yeah, this guy was about as dense as a slab of concrete. I had a very amazing history teacher who more than made up for it, though, so it balanced out in the end (even if it did take me until college to really start getting into classic literature -- it's amazing how not being forced to read a book makes it so much more enjoyable lol). A good teacher makes *all* the difference. I was so proud when my oldest girl went into teaching. The world needs more caring, passionate teachers in it.

[@ldfahrni]

Let me just put in a word for the Navy. Captain Wentworth keeps the candle burning for a lot longer than even Mr. Darcy and he's off keeping England safe for years. Darcy is the only one of those rich guys who shows a level concern for his people that makes him worthy of the lady he gets. I'd put my fellow sailor at #2, but maybe it's just a bit of shipmates (at least in spirit) having each other's backs through every kind of experience

[@johnbutler4631]

I love your analysis, and I like that you put Robert Martin in there. Poor guy. I bet after this he's giving relationship advice to other guy: "If she recommends that you read Romance of the Forest, don't ever, if you value life, tell her you forgot. Trust me; it will not turn out well. Who knew that book was so important that she rejected my proposal and hardly spoke to me for months?"

[@kawaibakaneko]

😂😂 Robert Martin: "Listen boys, Books are serious buisness, if you have to read Twilight, read Twilight ok?" I agree he is such a sweet guy and a good man, Harriet is frankly not good enough. I love his friendship with Mr Knightley, it's kinda funny he looks up to Mr Kingley and asks him for advice. Exactly like Harriet and Emma, Emma gives shitty advice

[@SevHighwind86]

I adore Edward Ferras the most due to him being in almost the same situation as Frank Churchill but handles himself in such a gentleman like manner! He kept his promise to Lucy. Even when himand Elinor connected he never acted on his feelings because of his promise.

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Yes! Fully agree!

[@MichieHoward]

Damn right!

[@liptonsodacan6303]

Yes, he is often judged very harshly. In that time period he simply couldn’t act any differently. I think the beauty of that storyline is how he felt like he made a mistake with his previous engagement while he was young and cannot help but fall in love with Elinor now that he is older and more mature. He was honour bound and could not break the previous engagement. He did try to hold back towards Elinor and at a certain point wanted to explain his situation to her. But his actions are that perfect struggle between honest feelings and the social conventions at that time. It is the perfect pining situation.

[@SevHighwind86]

@@liptonsodacan6303 Exactly! It was a very mature pining love story that made neither party the villain! You completely understand where Edward is coming from with his situation.

[@ESPNight004]

I believe your concerns over Captain Wentworth's temper are answered at the end of the book. It says that he was trying his best to get along with Lady Russell, that Anne could see that eventually they would become friends. Also, he is helping Mrs. Smith with her legal/money issues - which surely came about because Anne told him that it was the right thing to do and he took her word for it. He admits, after the incident with Louisa, that Anne had the coolest head of them all in the emergency (including him). All of that, and some of the wording in his letter, speaks to how much he is determined to get the better of his reactive nature. He sees Anne as better than himself and is willing to be led by her - that's what I get from him by the end of the book. Now, Darcy is certainly a wonderfully changed man by the end of the book and enough to make a girl swoon, but I don't see in him as much progress on his temper. It is plainly stated that he had not yet "learned to be teased" and he still had some pride to get over (as did Elizabeth. Them both seeing the flaws and perfections in each other and their determination to improve together is part of why they make such a great, solid couple). Do I believe Darcy would continue to improve and become an amazing and loving husband and father - absolutely! I just feel - going by the wording in the books - that Captain Wentworth has less to work on than Darcy does by the time they both propose to their respective love interests. That is why my top is Captain Wenworth and my #2 is Mr. Darcy.

[@annejeppesen160]

I disagree with Wentworth having to be led by Anne to know the right thing to do. To me he presents as generally good principled (I don't think Anne could have loved him if he wasn't). He was petty against Anne and thoughtless with Louisa, both effects of youthful heartbreak that festered. He would have married Louisa, had she not fallen in love with Benwick, and would have made her a good husband feeling he was honour bound to do so. He would have been miserable and thoroughly punished for his behaviour though. As for Mrs Smith I don't think he needed Anne's guidance to help her. Nor does he need her to acknowledge Lady Russell's merits. Mrs Smith was in obvious need of help and was the first person to visit Anne and Wentworth in their married life. I believe they would become friends, not to mention she put the final nail in Mr Elliott's coffin. Lady Russell had one redeeming quality: her love for Anne, I believe Wentworth in time would let that help him forgive her. Particularly regarding his own realisation that he could have ended his and Anne's separation with a letter. Thus my defense of Captain Wentworth, though I ought to declare my obvious biases, I melt every single time I read his letter to Anne, no matter how many times I read it 😅

[@ESPNight004]

@@annejeppesen160 Oh, I by no means meant to imply that Wentworth needed Anne to tell him what the right thing to do was at all! I was only stating that Anne had shown him where he might have been too hasty to resort to anger and resentment, which he himself said he had been. He is certainly highly principled. I was merely making the point that Anne would be a good, calming influence on the times when his temper might have gotten the better of him. So, he wouldn't ever act like the petulant child this video feared he might. If he wasn't inherently honorable, he wouldn't be my #1.

[@redalcock4704]

Totally agree!

[@cmm5542]

Very nice, deep evaluation! Confession: I have never read Persuasion (please don't kick me out of this thread . . .) so I will have to do so before I can add anything meaningful to this discussion, but I know good solid reasoning when I hear it (read it . . . whatever 😅).

[@SharmClucas]

I had a similar experience with a guy friend in high school. I had even bluntly told him to his face that we would never be a thing. After multiple bad attempts to sneak into a relationship through our friendship anyway, he eventually moved on and got a girlfriend and people STILL were acting like we were a couple. We were great as friends, I would have murdered him and his pretentious self if we were actually dating. To this day I still have major problems with any plot that has someone in the wrong for keeping their friend in the friendzone, or people not taking no for an answer and that being considered anything but stalkerish, or an outsider forcing a relationship as a good thing. A relationship is two people, they both get a say on if it works or not, one person should never override the other, no matter how "perfect" they are for each other. Everyone deserves some basic respect!

[@jmarie9997]

THANK you.

[@llamasugar5478]

Yes! My brother and his first wife were TERRIBLE together, just absolutely no good for each other. They were always friends, though, attending the other’s weddings, celebrating holidays and birthdays between families, etc.

[@jennywhitewaves8886]

I'm a Col. Fitzwilliam fan. Straight forward, Elizabeth knows where she stands, good friend to Darcy, kind to horrid aunt and wimpy cousin. Second son to an Earl, no money but good contacts.

[@cmm5542]

My sister and I are with you on this. We should form a club! 😆

[@sarahleale9006]

My number 1 pick would be Captain Wentworth because although he does ignore Anne a bit due to him still being hurt, he does still care and look out for her and it shows that despite circumstances love can still remain and keep going.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Colonel Fitzwilliam is quite underrated. He seemed fun. I think.

[@andromeda331]

Great list! I would probably put Bingley higher. I know he gets talked out of persuing Jane. But I love how enthusiastic he is at all of the events. He's the only one who looks forward to and has a good time at the first ball. Mr. Darcy and his sisters don't even bother to try. He has fun. He falls for Jane and doesn't care about her family relations. He is nice to everyone.

[@ipsitaonearth5132]

Ikr. I can't help but feel like people want him to have a stronger personality just because he's a man. Let's just appreciate how sweet he is and that Jane loves him. It's even stated that he basically told Lydia's husband not to visit his home again so it's not like they'll constantly be taken advantage of.

[@iamweaver2]

I'd swap Henry Tilney and Captain Wentworth - Anne is a ROCK. Wentworth clearly recognizes it, and defers to her judgement on several occasions. They have a true, companionable relationship, unlike Tilney and Catherine. When I look at Persuasion, I think of the relationship of Sophie and Admiral Croft as being an exaggerated version of Anne and Wentworth. That , and Wentworth ready to enter into matrimony with Luisa as a manner of honor, despite his recognition if its inadvisability, not only shows his character, but is exactly the two-by-four upside his head he needed to learn his lesson.

[@adwnpinoy]

Wentworth repents of his pride that kept him and Anne apart for an extra 6 years. I think he might still be headstrong but I think he esteems Anne enough to take her counsel, e.g., becoming friends with Lady Russell and looks out for Mrs. Smith.

[@liseiria4935]

You forgot that Tom Bertram ends up having a redemption at the end of the book following his fall from a horse and his illness.

[@debbiericker8223]

Frank Churchill was another of Jane Austen's male characters who got WAY better than he deserved in the end.

[@ameliecarre4783]

I feel for Frank. He's the sort of person who, because he's very privileged, everyone assumes he has it 100% easy. But he was separated from his family at a young age for the sake of "having a better life" which included an overbearing adopted mother whose affections and money were always very conditional. I understand how he'd rely on convoluted schemes and secrets until he's totally sure to be on solid ground.

[@annejeppesen160]

@@ameliecarre4783 I agree, but he really was a cad to [his fiancée, can't remember her name 🙈]. He behaved really badly and hurt her feelings more than once. He couldn't admit to their engagement, but he could have treated her better.

[@ameliecarre4783]

@@annejeppesen160 Her name is Jane Fairfax and yes, he should have treated her better.

[@edennis8578]

@@annejeppesen160 I agree, and I would say that "hurting her feelings" is an understatement. He drove her to despair. He broke her heart before he made things right.

[@andraste6746]

@@ameliecarre4783 all you need to know about Frank Churchill is that for years he couldn’t manage to visit his father but as soon as Jane Fairfax was there and it suited him, he managed to visit Highbury straight away.

[@erinnyren5564]

I completely agree with your assessment!! Mr. Darcy goes so far out of his way to help Elizabeth’s family and undo any harm he did, how can he not be number one??

[@EllieDashwood]

He really does!

[@redalcock4704]

I think that Captain Wentworth should have been higher . I think his anger is so understandable and Anne does not show him her regret over her previous decision , in fact he only finds it out by overhearing her conversation. Once he knows this he declares his love is unchanged in the most beautiful letter. He is constancy personified. And he understands and appreciates Anne when so many around her never do. Apart from to that, great list. Loved your discussion of some of the lesser male characters and totally agreed with your opinion of Edward Ferrars!

[@maryhamric]

Knightley. Knightley. Knightley. 💕💕 He stands up for the poor, he is generous, he respects the lower classes and admires their integrity, he isn't afraid to tell Emma what's up. He has deep integrity. Austen said Knightley was her favorite as well. I agree Robert Martin gets overlooked. What a sweet guy. Darcy is a bit snobbish and restrained. His help of Elizabeth's family, while seemingly generous, was also at the same time, self serving.

[@MsSonicjonathan]

Wentworth forever 😍. He came back for her even though she turned him down. That takes such courage.

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

Robert Martin is such an underrated sweetheart. I'd marry him. Catherine Morland definitely deserves more respect than Henry Tilney gives her, and Mr Knightly is proof that you can lecture a person and attempt to alter their worse tendencies in a respectful and loving manner. (I personally wonder how much of that difference is down to how much Austen herself matured and learned about the world in the 12 years between writing the two.) But, our biggest takeaway must *always* be that a Jane Austen character named Ed is always going to be a self-absorbed... Is there a word for a himbo without any likable qualities? Because I think such a descriptor would sum up both Edmund and Edward very well.

[@KateLJ1799]

Edward Denham from Sanditon fits right in with the "Ed" stereotype haha

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

@@KateLJ1799 And, as much as I hate to raise the comparison between the two authors, Edward Cullen also sucks... And Ed Elric had an awful temper and... yeah. It's literally every fictional Ed!

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Edmund and Edward are not himbos! 😡

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

@@lovetolovefairytales I agree entirely. They're definitely not himbos because himbos are inherently sweet and loveable (heeeey, Mr. Bingley). I meant that Edward and Edmund are what you'd get if you took a standard-issue himbo and stripped away literally everything that made them remotely likable (kindness, empathy, selflessness) and just left the big dumb oblivious bits. There needs to be a word for THAT character archetype and that word would apply to them perfectly.

[@lovetolovefairytales]

@@Katherine_The_Okay disagree. I think Edmund is a great guy, especially.

[@lovetolovefairytales]

I think Henry does respect Catherine, though; he's just a teaser. Look how he treats his sister. He's just a silly guy. In a good way.

[@llamasugar5478]

Mr. Tilney endeared himself to my 19-year-old self when he finds out about Catherine being turned out of the Abbey and rushes off after her.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I love how ‘run over’ was described so beautifully and so literally 😂

[@aprilgrant1957]

Col. Brandon. A true gentleman. He even gave Willoughby his due by letting Eleanor know that he feels W truly did love Marianne.

[@annatwitto6778]

Thank you for including Robert Martin in this list. I adore his character so much I actually wrote an Emma spinoff novel from his POV. He reminds me of Gabriel Oak at Far From The Madding Crowd.

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Can you link to this novel?

[@tahlitadeist8353]

I think Colonel Brandon should be ranked higher. He behaves very unselfishly. When he fetches Marainne's mother when she us sick, he does it to help her, not to try to win her. He is always a friend to the family and helps them in any way he can. @Ellie - You should read The Jane Austen guide to dating by Lauren Henderson. This was my dating bible when I was a young girl!

[@alberto2287]

Denny gets in but not Mr Colins!?! But MR Colins is a very respectable man, not only does he enjoy the favour and protection of Lady Catherine de Bourgh but he will soon have an estate worth £2000 a year

[@PokhrajRoy.]

My qualification for a boyfriend: “I feel like he has good taste, obviously, he likes Elizabeth Bennet and Elizabeth is great.” Pray this works for me lmao

[@carsonclyde7789]

I finished reading them all this past year (finally had the time lol) and these are my findings: the three favorite heroes of mine were Knightley, Darcy, and Colonel Brandon. Knightley is third not because he sucks (he doesn’t) but because the other are just truly the best. There are plenty of comments on how great, selfless, and mature Darcy became in P&P so I don’t need to go into that. But I do think Colonel Brandon isn’t given enough credit. He was kind, considerate of Marianne, and extremely humble. I love the 1996 movie portrayal of him by Alan Rickman. One of my favorite movies.

[@elizabethshultz8035]

1. Colonel Brandon 2. Captain Wentworth 3. Captain Benwick 4. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy 5. Edmund Bertram 6. Edward Farris 7. Colonel Fitzwilliam 8. Mr. Bingley 9. Mr. Knightley 10. Robert Martin 11. Denny 12. Tom Bertram 13. Mr. Tilney

[@crystalspencer6396]

Mr. Knightley is definitely my #1. Everything you said about his attentions to those around him, morals, kindness, being responsible, etc. but his admonishing Emma to me is showing great care in the person she is becoming. To be married to a man willing to call me out on bad behaviors, actions, thoughts, etc. would be most annoying but most welcome to me. 😊

[@DaisyNinjaGirl]

Have you thought about doing a Best Heroine list? And to mix it up, not which is the best to _read about_ but which is the best one to be friends with. My personal opinion: Lizzie Bennet is a great book heroine, but I'd find her very tiring to have in my social group...

[@emmarichardson965]

I confess, I like fanfictions where Jane doesn't end up with Bingley, because she realizes how easily led he is and that she doesn't want that. Of course, I also love fanfictions where Bingley grows a strong spine on his own. Basically, I just wish Jane to have someone strong natured who will balance her sweet nature.

[@jmarie9997]

IMHO, Jane and Bingley are too Nice to be Good People.

[@rosea2350]

Colonel Brandon is my favorite. He was so sweet and caring towards Marianne and her family, even when she spurned him. And Alan Rickman, enough said.

[@JR-sx3gl]

The Edward / Edmund situation is something that I relate very much. I have watched the adaptations many more times than I read the books, so correct me if I'm wrong. Edward couldn't be sure of what Eleanor feels because she hides her emotions towards him (it's been my problem all my life as well and missed many opportunities because of it). Edmund is just a typical young man. I've seen it all the time within my friends' group, my brother's friends and pretty much all males of my generation in my family. You see two people who would be great together, but the guy doesn't go for who's good match for him but who's hottest and will want him. In real life in many cases those guys end up divorced, used, unhappy and hopefully learn the lesson. At least their book counterpart had the realisation before and could build a happy life. It stems from his humble nature and good heart perhaps. Therefore I can't judge him too harshly just for responding how any other young man would.

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Yes, this is exactly what I think! Moreover, have you ever read The Beresfords? It's a Christian fiction book that takes place in the 80s and the lead guy Jonathan is obviously based on Austen's Edmund Bertram and his first wife Caroline is clearly Mary Crawford. He ends up divorced but luckily he remarries, to a girl (the book's first person narrator) who actually loves him and has the same life goals, and is finally happy. He becomes a preacher just like Edmund, too.

[@kawaibakaneko]

Edward Ferrars has the charisma of a wet towel and the same strenght of character, I never understood what so charming about him.

[@123tova987]

Ellie you have added so much to my appreciation of Jane Austen's works! Love listening to your ideas & the sweet & perky way you communicate! Thank you so much! BTW, I think I would choose Mr. Weston too. His only angst seems related to his son, otherwise he is so pleasant & even keeled.

[@EllieDashwood]

He really was!!!

[@jldisme]

I love Robert Martin. Out of all the men in Austen books, he's the only one I'd marry. He has a great family. Some of Mr. Darcey's family is too snooty for me.

[@tessat338]

Actually, Edmond Bertram is even worse, in that he DOES see the problems with Mary Crawford but tries to ignore them and pretend that they don't exist!

[@EllieDashwood]

He is amazing at ignoring and explaining away everything. 😂😂😂

[@dorothywillis1]

Frankly, I can't stand him!

[@diannerenn4726]

I'm going to join those who comment that the list should give a higher rank to Captain Wentworth. Everyone loves Darcy, and your commentary rightly identifies his growth and development through the text. But I would argue that the same is true for Wentworth. Most of the other men do not change much in Austen's narratives, but these two do. I'd also argue that Wentworth appears in a more mature work of Austen's wherein love is deep and enduring despite the "happy ending" for younger heroines in other books. The class sensibilities of Austen's time kept Anne and Wentworth apart, but they are able to communicate honestly at long last and fulfill a more mature relationship.

[@tatiananagumo1962]

My #1 is Edmund Bertram - i think this character is potrayed with such a depth and insite by J.A. He has urdent faith and he genuenly cares for other people and chooses ptofession which he is passionate about. I love his practical kindness, without saying much he just goes and dose kind and toughtfull things. He also loves reading and is able to pass this passion to Fanny. I also like it that he is humble and open about his own doubts and failures and can joke about them. He loved and respectfully treats his parents and aunts while they are SO far from perfect. He nurses his sick brother, ready to sacrifice what he thinks his personal happines to assist his family..The list goes on and on. About his being blind for most of the book - i do not see it as failing, many people are blind when they are in love. As to choosing Mary when Fanny is around - i think it is natural, as Edmund sees Fanny as a little sister, whom he sees every day. I am not sure he is aware that she is a grown woman.. While Marry is a beutifull, very attractive, fasionable and also smart, interesting woman - ready beauty, rightly packaged so to say. I think it is natural that he falls for Marry...

[@adrivoid5376]

Captain Wentworth for sure for me. Just that whole letter and I found his background and falling back in love with Anne after years apart so romantic

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Most of the male protagonists of Jane Austen’s novel are quite dashing.

[@HealthyChristianHome]

“Mr. Darcy’s house doesn’t hurt his position on this list either” 😂 such an Elizabeth Bennett comment to make!! Lol

[@annejeppesen160]

I agree with your assessment of Tom Bertram during the book. However he redeems himself on the last few pages, becoming "everything a son ought to be." There is quite a lot of redemption going on on those last pages 😂

[@lovetolovefairytales]

Yeah, people overlook the fact that after his illness, he probably would be quite the catch. Rich, good relationship with his brother and father, great with horses, titled, probably handsome to boot, big house, fun sense of humour, nice sister (Julia), mean psycho aunt doesn't live with him, so the only person his potential spouse would have to put up with long term after his daddy croaked would be his mother...and she's rather nice in her way... I'm not seeing any downside. Heck even before his illness, the man probably could have walked into any establishment, introduced himself by saying "Hi, I'm Tom, I'm unemployed and a plantation owner and a gambler and I live with my parents," and still got himself a wife if he wanted...

[@TotalMonsense]

Me, an Edmund Bertram apologist: **sees the video and about to comment in defense of Rev. Mr. Bertram** Me: **sees the rabid comments** Me: **silently creeps back to my Rev. Mr. Bertram shrine**

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂 He has some good qualities!

[@PBVStudios]

Edmund is awesome🙂 I think a lot of people compare Pride & Prejudice to Mansfield Park and think they’re going to end the same way; so they feel disappointed. Well, at least that’s how I felt😃 I read P&P first, Mansfield Park later on, and it took me reading M P three times to really understand it . But now I love both Fanny and Edmund with all my heart.

[@glendodds3824]

@@PBVStudios Edmund is a much better person than some people realise.

[@sinivarmirako9161]

I don't think he's a bad character. He just does what so many others have when they fall in love. Ignore problems/red flags in favor of believing the best about the person he liked. Even Fanny herself does that when it comes to Edmund. She thinks he's everything that's perfect just because he was kind to her growing up. She had no clue that common decency and kindness should have been the norm in how she was treated, but that's not how it was at Mansfield, so when Edmund did those things it was amazing to her, and he indeed was exceptionally kind to her. So he isn't bad. He's just a bit naive.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The reason I’m slightly iffy about Colonel Brandon is that yes, he seems like an anchor but idk if I’m a fan of ‘You remind me of my dead lover’ based love story. Maybe I’m overanalysing it.

[@Elf0304]

And the age gap

[@Elf0304]

Although I'm more okay with that for Emma and Knightley. Maybe because we see Emmas perspective and we don't see Mariannes, at least not when she marries him.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@Elf0304 The age gap is uncomfortable but not in the context of when it was written.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@Elf0304 Marianne was semi-coerced into marriage.

[@Elf0304]

@@PokhrajRoy. Yes, I think that's how I see it, but I'm not sure it's what Austen intended, as I said, maybe if we'd had more Mariannes perspective rather than just a mention that they got married it would come across better.

[@kansmill]

I think Cl. Brandon is a contrast of male sensibilities, being the principled version of them vs Willoughby being the unprincipled version. Also, he was young when Eliza was young so it wasn’t an old guy-young girl dynamic.

[@nancygoodwin6989]

Col. Brandon. Less obvious than knightly or darcy, but deeply in love. Never comes off as pretentious.

[@mayrnibird9224]

brandin was more than 2x marianne's age. he stalked marianne. willoughby was principled. he loved marianne but was unable to marry her due to how society worked at the time.

[@kansmill]

@@mayrnibird9224 Willoughby was a rake. He got a girl pregnant and abandoned her because he wanted a fortune that another woman could give him via marriage. Society didn't require him to use and abandon women (and young women at that...). Cl Brandon was quite diffident and waited until her feelings came around. The "worst" he did was fall in love with her because she reminded him of his beloved Eliza (that he grew up with ie was close in age to).

[@einezcrespo2107]

@@mayrnibird9224 I don't think getting a young girl pregnant and abandoning her is actually principled. That was the reason Willoughby lost his inheritance after his aunt demanded he marry Eliza and he refused. Worse Willoughby dumped Marianne for the richer Miss Grey. While Willoughby loved Marianne he didn't love her enough to marry her because she wasn't rich.

[@cmm5542]

@@einezcrespo2107 Completely agree with you here!

[@teridaly1771]

Thanks for this video! My personal favorite is Henry Tilney as #1. I'm not a Darcy girl and he would be further down my list. Colonel Brandon is my number 2 and Knightly number 3.

[@obsessivefangirl5055]

Being acquainted only with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightly at the moment, I would say Knightly easily outranks Darcy. Darcy even in the beginning says that Elizabeth wasn't handsome enough to tempt him. No gentleman, no matter how uninterested would speak so about a lady in that manner. I mean compare that to Mr. Kinghtly offering to dance with Harriet after she was publicly humiliated, while Mr. Elton's response was something quite similar to "she's not handsome enough to tempt me", yep Mr. elton, the bad guy here. Later on, when halfway through the book he confesses his feelings for Elizabeth, he says something along the lines of despite you being poor and from a lower class than I am, I managed to fall in love with you. This to me sounds like he's doing her a favour. Darcy genuinely looks down on literally everyone, including Elizabeth's entire family and her entire town. Knightly genuinely likes Elizabeth's entire family. And again, all in all, how much time do Darcy and Elizabeth genuinely spend together before getting married? (Once you minus the months they were apart ofc). Compared to that, Emma knows everything there is to know about Knightly by the time they get married. Just overall I always got the impression that if he was able to choose, Darcy would choose not to be in love with Elizabeth, and he certainly tries. He says something like "my feelings can't be repressed". And again, we can assume he feels this way because he feels like she doesn't deserve him, not the other way around. Knightly is just such an anti classist, kind, humble gentleman, who I feel truly respects each and every woman. He is the perfect example of a partner who makes you the best version of yourself and genuinely brings out the good in you. But again I have to say both Darcy and Knightly were the kind of men who would have genuinely wanted Elizabeth and Emma respectively to be happy even if they had ended up with someone else, and would have taken rejection (2nd time around for Darcy that is) very respectfully no matter how much it hurt. Edit: I forgot to mention just how good Knightly is with kids. This was back in the day and even today considered a very feminine traits, but to see it embodied in a regency era man is just..endearing to me for some reason. I mean you could totally tell in Knightly's interactions with John and Isabella's kids that he was gonna make a great dad.

[@jola-xl9xi]

I think for me it's George Knightley, but props to Mr. Darcy for his personal growth too!

[@mena94x3]

0:19 . . . Tilney? (I’m utterly biased by JJ Feild’s portrayal . . . I freaking love him)

[@christinalaska]

All I would say about Tilney is that we saw how much he respected his sister, and I believe in time he would see her as a partner. He sees how her family of 10 children operated and knew- I guess!- that Cathy would eventually be as solid as her mom. He loves her innocence and naive behavior… and as such felt he, along with Eleanor had to guide her. Thus? the fact he took the opportunity to protect and guide her in her first season without truly taking advantage of her (yah I know… clergyman) shows he respects her. Perhaps not as an equal because few men saw women as equals (look at his a@@ of a dad) but as a woman.

[@brittaistheworst7523]

I mean, "I am half agony, half hope"?? Is there any doubt? IS THERE?

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂

[@debbiericker8223]

I get goosebumps!

[@annejeppesen160]

I melt every single time I read that, no matter how many times I've read it 😅

[@Andrea_of_AtLastCrochet]

Yep. All us ladies deserve respect😎. Thanks for adding more of the men from the stories. My order would be different but that's alright😊. Like real people they have short comings that have us questioning their behavior. Favorite male lead? Mine is still Captain Wentworth. Yeah, I'm a sucker for love letters that raise my blood pressure😉. Least favorite of the men? Mr. Denny. What an enabler!😲 If he hadn't been in the militia Wickham wouldn't have had the chance to be the bad guy of the Bennett girls. I hope you have an awesome day😃!

[@PBVStudios]

Loved your pick for worst!😂😂😂

[@kimberleyjanemcnab5343]

Mr Darcy has a lot to thank Colin Firth for, that is for sure... you are not rich enough, your relations are crass and against all my better judgement I still want to marry you. Oh and btw Colin Firth takes his jacket off and jumps into a pond leaving little to the imagination when portraying me!

[@sheleavitt06]

Yes oh my gosh yes! Honestly I think it’s biased a lot of Austin fans because let’s be real for a second…if you met someone like him in real life I bet you would probably not like him enough to give him a first date. His personality is terrible and while he tries to improve it would you really give him the chance too turn a new leaf? Be honest now…I’m looking at you Miss Ellie Dashwood. No stop thinking about how “rich” he is I said think about his personality would you really like being around him. Your thinking of Colin Firth swimming again. I said focus dam it!😤

[@jerigaile]

Ellie, I adore you, but………Mr. Knightly is number 1!!!! Lol. 😍 Our heroine wouldn’t have changed if not for him. He is a true partner and isn’t afraid of a strong woman. And, he’s romantic and funny. Mr. Darcy would be ranked no. 2. I love your channel!!!

[@obsessivefangirl5055]

I agree! Knightly >>>> Darcy

[@MichaelaDrechselova]

Honestly, I think Mr Tilney is the best man of them all. I'm not sure about his relationship with Cathrine, but he's not just shockingly well adjusted for the family he grew up in. He's well adjusted in general. Yes, his family in father and brother is somewhat unfortunate. But other than that, he's the best "starting point" of them all. Mr. Darcy was very self-centred and I would not have patience for him, Mr Knightly's recollections of Emma in her cradle while proposing to her was extremely creepy, Edmund is judgy and strangely unaware of his privilege, and when it comes to the S&S boys, I'd rather marry Willoughby. 😄 What more, Mr. Tilney has a secure position as a clergy which allows him stable income without the added necessity of socializing all the time of the likes of Darcy . And just in case Mr Tilney has a change of heart with the church of England… I'm pretty sure his sister would take care of him and me… I mean, his wife. 😄

[@edennis8578]

The fact that you would even consider marrying Willoughby shocks me. He seduced a teenage girl, got her pregnant, then dumped her and left her to starve in an age when there was no social safety net. Sweet Mary and Joseph.

[@MichaelaDrechselova]

@@edennis8578 Oh, I completely forgot about the seduction of a young girl and swiftly abandoning her... Can you tell I'm not particularly fond of S&S? 😂 I think I was blinded by the combination of not having read S&S for years and the fact that Willoughby was the most interesting character in the book. By that I mean he's a good character, not a good person. The conversation between him and Elinor brought quite a bit of depth to him.

[@xletragedyx]

Agree 100%. Tilney fangirls unite! Yes, the being in love with Emma since she was 13 (and he was in his 20s) is weird. The lecturing would get super annoying. Clueless did this much better than Emma, making that relationship seem natural (but then again the gap was only 2-3 years), but I feel like getting constantly lectured like that would make me want to do the opposite! And it doesn't exactly inspire romantic feelings.

[@Eleanoraaaaa]

Oh my goodness an Ellie notification as soon as I wake up?? Yes ma’m thank you! 😍 I hope you had a beautiful thanksgiving beautiful soul💗

[@songsayswhat]

I pretty much agree with your list other than I would put Wentworth above Bingley. Wentworth spends a lot of Persuasion resentful and gaurded about Anne. Bingly allows his sisters and friend to talk him out of his feelings for Jane. He's the male version of younger Anne. Too easily influenced for me. Then again, perhaps Jane can use that to her advantage down the line!

[@funkyfemsel2112]

I'm LOVING this new relaxed video style :)

[@Liorah22]

MR tilneys is my favorite hero. He does what none of the other ones had to do which is to go against his authoritative father and marry the woman he loves. Also, regarding the respect issue, Henry likes to tease Catherine and this is something a lot of couples do. Lizzie and Darcy are more serious and mature characters. Cat is just 18 and Henry understands that. That's is why maybe Lizzie and Darcy relationship could seem more "equal". Anyway, I am glad you love Mr Tilney. I think he is quite overlooked sometimes. Love your channel

[@matthewzito6130]

I feel like Colonel Brandon should be rated a little higher. Underneath his cautious, reserved exterior he's just as much of a romantic as Marianne. That's one reason he likes her so much, and perhaps why they eventually work as a couple. ... Also, I think their similarities would be more obvious had the reader/audience met Brandon as a young man.

[@Felixia33]

I loved your sketchy guy mustache 😂!!!

[@nolagirl7082]

Loving your eyeshadow!🌻

[@KellyOuburg]

I stumbled across your video last night and had to click. I'm a big Jane Austen fan and NEEDED to see what you had to say. Needless to say, you have a new subscriber. Looking through your other videos, you are a gal after my own heart. I love historical books and can't wait to watch all your videos.

[@kelseystanley4019]

Love your videos Ellie! I'm slowly making my way thru Jane Austens books and having such a great time!! Are you planning on doing a ranking of the women characters? I think that would be fun too!

[@kesewaadufiedonyina6289]

Edmund and Edward do get on my nerves. But at the same time i must put in a word for them. Fanny Price was brought to Mansfield park as the poor relation and was effectively sister-zoned, which in my opinion partly accounts for Edmund's inability to see her as a potential lover for himself. That notwithstanding, he was her only friend and confidant in that house. He wasn't perfect, but he deeply cared for her and her needs (my favorite quote being "Fanny must have a horse!") and was repentant whenever he realized his neglect of her during his infatuation with Mary Crawford. Edward genuinely loved Elinor's company, (understandably because he lived among people who were so unlike himself) and never meant to deceive her. He should have been more careful, instead of indulging in his wishful thinking that she cared for him only as a friend. However, the intent to deceive is absent and that at least clears him of malice. He has a truly sensitive heart and was very affectionate. Also, he selflessly sacrificed his happiness for Lucy Steele though it brought him no reward and much pain. That is some test of character. I understand that they're not the best of Jane Austen's heros, but i wouldn't rank them so low, poor fellows 🥺

[@LAUREL5784]

You are SOO cute, Ellie Dashwood! I love watching your videos so much. The only thing that could make them better is if I could sit down and discuss these important Jane Austen details with you in person! I keep meaning to ask you if you have list of go-to movies... other than our JA faves, that you can recommend. Thank you for putting your whole heart and soul into the production of your productions!

[@ArtisticGym]

Props for Editing Ellie's sweater matching the decor of the bedroom 👌

[@muddylotus1]

I don't know if not respecting your partner as an equal, e.g. as human being, makes you a nice guy at all. I'd take Wentworth's headstrong nature any day over being regarded like a lesser person.

[@EllieDashwood]

Wentworth has some awesome qualities!

[@daffodilunderhill7066]

Both Anne and Capt. Wentworth have been suffering for 8 years. It makes sense that it takes awhile for them to reconcile.

[@DustBunnyHerder]

Henry Tilney - he has a sense of humour and understands fabrics

[@juliehops3164]

Flawless ranking 🙌! I love that all the male characters have such a mix of good and bad qualities. And they're all so different! There's one in there for everyone to admire. I think Tom Bertrum ranked right where he needed to (second to last) for his undesirable lifestyle, but I love that he reforms later on. Also some of his scenes were HILARIOUS in Mansfield Park. It would be so dismal without him😂

[@Rebecca_English]

Colonel Brandon has always been my favorite. He's always kind to everyone - even the dastardly Willoughby, whom he has good reason to despise. He's steady and patient. He's completely above all the politicking and character assassination that some of the other characters enjoy. I actually think that he and Marianne are a good match - her liveliness and his steadiness balance each other out.

[@ChanDeereGreen]

I am in 100% agreement with this - Col Brandon forever! I don't have any real objections to the 'strong honorable man with a propensity to love/protect naive vulnerable young woman' thing. He needed a Marianne to soften his harsh life, and she needed an anchor to cling to.

[@elaineyoung9672]

And played by Alan Rickman he was irresistible!

[@SevHighwind86]

@@elaineyoung9672 Omg Yes!! I love Alan Rickman as Col Brandon!! He played that so well.

[@dorothywillis1]

I had not thought about it for years, but when I was in high school there was a guy who had a crush on me that I couldn't get rid of. He was a year or two older than I, but he didn't give up. I can remember my mother saying, "But he's a nice boy!" "If you go out with him it's not like you're going to marry him!" Eventually, when he had graduated, it tapered off. But when I was almost through college and engaged to someone else, he stopped by my father's office "Just to say hello." My father said it was clear he was checking if he might have a chance. Strange, isn't it?

[@lovetolovefairytales]

He kinda sounds like Henry Crawford 😂.

[@dorothywillis1]

@@lovetolovefairytales LOL

[@TVandManga]

Great video, with many good points made!

[@demihungerford1461]

I agree entirely with your ranking! Great video.

[@donaldabint725]

A point re Mr Darcy: Elizabeth says "no" the first time based on false information etc. So Mr Darcy gives her the information she needs and attempts to correct his behaviour. Fine and good. BUT the biggy for me is that when he proposes for the second time he acknowledges that she has said "no" Mr Collins also acknowledges that she turns him down, but Mr Darcy does not do it like Mr Collins.) and basically tells her that he has taken everything on board and tried to change, but if she says "no" this time, then he will absolutely respect that and never mention it again. He's making sure that she knows that he will be respecting her boundaries. He is a big, power, rich guy, he could drop a few hints to Bingley to tell Lizzy's sisters or parents that he is considering proposing, that could get some serious pressure building. But he doesn't. He respects her but also her boundaries and her decisions.

[@Pixel-Lucas]

But does Mr. Darcy understand muslin???

[@PBVStudios]

😂