# Uriah Heep — David Copperfield character guide > Uriah Heep in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Uriah, Heep, overlooking Uriah Heep, Ury **First appearance:** 0018-xv-i-make-another-beginning ## Snapshot A red-eyed, writhing clerk who cloaks his ambition in false humility while tightening his grip on Mr. Wickfield. ## Who they are Uriah works his way into the Wickfield household through professions of umbleness, exploiting the lawyer's weakness and guilt to gain power over his affairs. His clammy deference is a weapon, and his resentment of David's advantages simmers beneath every bow. He is the novel's great study in hypocrisy, threatening both Agnes's peace and David's future. ## Relationships ### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/david_copperfield) _rivalry_ David is repulsed by Uriah's oily hypocrisy and later exposes his villainy, making them bitter enemies. ### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield) _rivalry_ Agnes sees through Uriah's deceit and opposes his manipulation of her father, becoming his quiet adversary. ### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield) _psychological_ Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs. ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _professional_ Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him. ### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/david_copperfield) _rivalry_ David is repulsed by Uriah's oily hypocrisy and later exposes his villainy, making them bitter enemies. ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _professional_ Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him. ### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield) _psychological_ Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs. ### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield) _rivalry_ Agnes sees through Uriah's deceit and opposes his manipulation of her father, becoming his quiet adversary. ### [Agnes Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/agnes_wickfield) _rivalry_ Agnes sees through Uriah's deceit and opposes his manipulation of her father, becoming his quiet adversary. ### [Wilkins Micawber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/wilkins_micawber) _professional_ Uriah employs Micawber as a clerk, exploiting his financial desperation before Micawber turns against him. ### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield) _psychological_ Uriah Heep manipulates and preys upon Mr. Wickfield's weakness for drink and guilt, gaining control over his affairs. ### [David Copperfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/david_copperfield) _rivalry_ David is repulsed by Uriah's oily hypocrisy and later exposes his villainy, making them bitter enemies. ## In the story ### [XV: I Make Another Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xv-i-make-another-beginning) Uriah Heep is introduced as a cadaverous, red-haired youth working for Mr. Wickfield, with a unsettling demeanor. ### [XVI: I Am a New Boy in More Senses Than One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xvi-i-am-a-new-boy-in-more-senses-than-one) Uriah appears with his characteristic red head and lank hand, announcing Mr. Maldon's return; his watchful demeanor is noted. ### [Somebody Turns Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xvii-somebody-turns-up) Uriah is seen walking arm-in-arm with Mr. Micawber, who praises him as a potential attorney-general, causing David unease. ### [Good and Bad Angels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxv-good-and-bad-angels) Present at the dinner in a suit of black, displaying obsequious humility; later revealed to be forcing a partnership with Mr. Wickfield through subtle manipulation. ### [I Fall Into Captivity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxvi-i-fall-into-captivity) Observed hovering around Agnes at the coach office, heightening David's foreboding about his intentions. ### [Enthusiasm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxvi-enthusiasm) Mentioned as the employer who has engaged Mr. Micawber as his confidential clerk. ### [Wickfield and Heep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxix-wickfield-and-heep) Now a partner in Wickfield's firm; leers and writhes, maintaining a sinister watch over the household. ### [XLII: Mischief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlii-mischief) Brings his mother to lodge nearby; insinuates suspicions about Mrs. Strong and implicates David in the conversation. ### [I Assist at an Explosion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lii-i-assist-at-an-explosion) Confronted and exposed; drops his hypocritical servility to reveal malice, insolence, and desperation. ### [Mr. Micawber's Transactions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/liv-mr-micawber-s-transactions) Issues a new writ against Mr. Micawber and threatens Betsey Trotwood through knowledge of her husband. ### [LXI: I Am Shown Two Interesting Penitents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxi-i-am-shown-two-interesting-penitents) Imprisoned, he hypocritically professes repentance and humility in the model prison. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/uriah_heep - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters