# Mr. Knightley — Emma character guide > Mr. Knightley in Emma by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Knightley, George Knightley **First appearance:** 0001-emma ## Who they are A plainspoken gentleman farmer of seven or eight-and-thirty who has known Emma her whole life and is the only person in Highbury unafraid to tell her the truth. ## Relationships ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _romantic_ Emma and Mr. Knightley evolve from friendly rivals and moral guides to lovers, marrying at the novel's end. ### [Harriet Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/harriet_smith) _friendship_ Harriet admires Mr. Knightley from afar, but he sees her only as a kind acquaintance and later encourages her match with Robert Martin. ### [Mrs. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton) _rivalry_ Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters. ### [Mr. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_elton) _social_ Mr. Elton and Mr. Knightley are acquaintances with mutual respect, though Knightley disapproves of Elton's snobbery. ### [Frank Churchill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill) _rivalry_ Frank and Mr. Knightley are polite rivals for Emma's attention, with Knightley suspicious of Frank's character. ### [Mr. Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_woodhouse) _friendship_ Mr. Knightley is a close family friend and neighbor to Mr. Woodhouse, often visiting and indulging his quirks. ### [Robert Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/robert_martin) _friendship_ Mr. Knightley respects Robert Martin as a hardworking, honest farmer and encourages his suit for Harriet. ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _romantic_ Emma and Mr. Knightley evolve from friendly rivals and moral guides to lovers, marrying at the novel's end. ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _romantic_ Emma and Mr. Knightley evolve from friendly rivals and moral guides to lovers, marrying at the novel's end. ### [Harriet Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/harriet_smith) _friendship_ Harriet admires Mr. Knightley from afar, but he sees her only as a kind acquaintance and later encourages her match with Robert Martin. ### [Mrs. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton) _rivalry_ Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters. ### [Frank Churchill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill) _rivalry_ Frank and Mr. Knightley are polite rivals for Emma's attention, with Knightley suspicious of Frank's character. ## In the story ### [Emma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/emma) A sensible man of about thirty-seven, brother of Mr. John Knightley and a close friend of the Woodhouse family. He is the only one who criticizes Emma's faults. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/i) Criticizes Emma's interference in the Weston-Taylor match and her plans for Mr. Elton; the only one who tells Emma of her faults. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned in passing as having a commanding manner that Emma contrasts with Mr. Elton's gentleness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/v) Expresses strong disapproval of Emma's intimacy with Harriet Smith, arguing it will harm both. Criticizes Emma's lack of steady reading and her vanity, but shows genuine concern for her future. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/vi) Mr. Knightley offers a critical observation that Emma has made Harriet too tall in the portrait. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/viii) Argues with Emma about Harriet's prospects, criticizes her interference, and warns that Mr. Elton will not make an imprudent match. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/ix) Remains displeased with Emma's behavior and stays away from Hartfield longer than usual. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xii) Dines at Hartfield, reconciles with Emma, discusses farming and legal matters with his brother. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xvi) Visits Hartfield despite the snow; Emma recalls his earlier accurate warnings about Mr. Elton. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xviii) Criticizes Frank Churchill's failure to visit his father, arguing that a man of his age and means could come if he chose, and expresses a strong dislike for Frank's perceived character. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as having previously told Emma that her dislike of Jane stems from seeing in Jane the accomplished woman Emma wishes to be. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxi) Mr. Knightley expresses his approval of Emma's behavior toward Jane Fairfax during the evening party and engages in a subtle debate with Emma about Jane's character. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxv) Mr. Knightley privately criticizes Frank Churchill as a 'trifling, silly fellow,' showing his disapproval. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxvi) Mr. Knightley arrives at the party, and Emma approves of his gentlemanly conduct, though he teases her about her perceptions. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxviii) Passes by on horseback; inquires after Jane Fairfax's health but declines to enter, citing business at Kingston. ### [Chapter 23](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxx) Indifferent to the ball, preferring solitude; shows no triumph over Frank's departure, expressing sympathy for Emma's disappointment. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxii) Mentioned by Mrs. Elton as having visited the Westons; she refers to him familiarly as 'Knightley.' ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mr. Knightley denies any intention of marrying Jane Fairfax, praises her talents but notes her reserved temper, and discusses the matter with Emma and Mrs. Weston. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxiv) Criticizes Frank Churchill's handwriting as weak and womanish, and his earlier words influence Emma's conscience about Jane Fairfax. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxvi) Little disposed for conversation during the card party. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mr. Knightley stands among the non-dancers, looking grave; Emma observes his figure and wishes he would dance. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxix) Referenced as having come to a good understanding with Emma about the Eltons and having praised Harriet. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned in the context of the conversation about spruce-beer and the pencil end that Harriet treasured. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xli) Mr. Knightley grows increasingly suspicious of Frank Churchill's double dealings and observes interactions between Frank and Jane Fairfax. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlii) Shows Harriet around the gardens and discusses farming, demonstrating his kindness and propriety. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xliii) Takes charge of Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax during the picnic, and later confronts Emma about her cruel treatment of Miss Bates. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xliv) Mentioned as having declined Mrs. Elton's invitation to spend the evening with her, though Emma had hoped to see him. ### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlv) Visits Hartfield, announces sudden trip to London, shows a moment of tender intention toward Emma before leaving. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlvii) Mr. Knightley is the object of Harriet's affections; Emma recalls his improved opinion of Harriet and his attentive behavior, which she now interprets as potential romantic interest. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlviii) Mr. Knightley is the object of Emma's anxiety; she fears he may marry Harriet Smith and that she will lose his constant presence at Hartfield. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlix) Mr. Knightley returns from London, confesses his love for Emma, and proposes to her, having been motivated by jealousy of Frank Churchill. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/l) Proposes to Emma; visits Hartfield for breakfast and discusses their future, helping to reassure her. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/li) Reads Frank Churchill's letter critically, then proposes to Emma, offering to move to Hartfield to live with her and her father. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/liii) Shares John's letter with Emma, discusses the engagement, and notes the community's reactions. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/liv) Delivers the news of Harriet's engagement to Robert Martin, noting Emma's changed perspective. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/lv) Mr. Knightley is part of the plan for his marriage to Emma, and his presence reassures Mr. Woodhouse after the poultry theft. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters