# Mr. Cheesacre — Can You Forgive Her? character guide

> Mr. Cheesacre in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cheesacre, poor Cheesacre, the lamb Cheesacre

**First appearance:** 0007-viii-mr-cheesacre

## Snapshot

A substantial Norfolk farmer with Oileymead in his pocket and self-regard to match, he courts Mrs. Greenow with gifts and wounded dignity.

## Who they are

Cheesacre is a man of property who cannot fathom why property alone should not win a widow, and his courtship consists largely of enumerating his own solid virtues. When Mrs. Greenow's favor tilts toward his rival, he pivots with breathtaking speed to pursuing her niece Kate, revealing that his heart is really a ledger. His blustering pursuit of both women exposes the marriage market's crude arithmetic, and his feud with Bellfield supplies some of the novel's sharpest comedy.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow)

_romantic_

A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.

### [Captain Bellfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/captain_bellfield)

_rivalry_

The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.

### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow)

_romantic_

A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.

### [Captain Bellfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/captain_bellfield)

_rivalry_

The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.

### [Captain Bellfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/captain_bellfield)

_rivalry_

The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.

### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow)

_romantic_

A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.

## In the story

### [Mr. Cheesacre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/viii-mr-cheesacre)

Attempts to discredit Captain Bellfield by revealing his debts and vies for Mrs. Greenow's favor.

### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/ix-the-rivals)

A prosperous Norfolk farmer who proposes to Mrs. Greenow, boasting of his land and lack of debt; he is jealous of Bellfield's familiarity with the widow.

### [Tribute from Oileymead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xix-tribute-from-oileymead)

Sends regular tributes of food from Oileymead to Mrs. Greenow, courts her while pretending interest in Kate.

### [XX: Which Shall It Be?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xx-which-shall-it-be)

Proposes to Mrs. Greenow, offering his estate and a pony carriage, but is refused.

### [Mr. Cheesacre's Hospitality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxix-mr-cheesacre-s-hospitality)

The wealthy farmer, deeply anxious about Bellfield's influence and Mrs. Greenow's spending; he invites Bellfield to Oileymead to monitor him.

### [Mrs. Greenow's Little Dinner in the Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xl-mrs-greenow-s-little-dinner-in-the-close)

Jealous of Bellfield, attempts to propose to Mrs. Greenow but is rebuked for his language; later discovers Bellfield retrieved his luggage.

### [Mr. Cheesacre's Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlvii-mr-cheesacre-s-disappointment)

Heartbroken after Mrs. Greenow's rejection; refuses to consider Kate Vavasor and leaves for Oileymead.

### [LXV: The First Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxv-the-first-kiss)

Arrives at Vavasor Hall hoping to marry Mrs. Greenow, is rejected, and accuses Captain Bellfield of being wanted by the police.

### [Mr. Cheesacre's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxviii-mr-cheesacre-s-fate)

Target of Mrs. Greenow's matchmaking; feels neglected and offended by Alice's presence, but is gradually being manipulated toward Charlie.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mr_cheesacre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters