# William Boldwood — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide > William Boldwood in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Boldwood, Boldwood, Farmer Boldwood **First appearance:** 0009-viii-the-malthouse-the-chat-news ## Snapshot A wealthy, reserved farmer whose long bachelor calm shatters into consuming obsession once Bathsheba's careless valentine awakens him. ## Who they are Boldwood is the most substantial landowner in Weatherbury, a man so self-contained that his neighbors treat his feelings as a closed book, until a joke valentine from Bathsheba cracks him open. His love turns possessive and absolute, and he has no skill for courtship, only a battering-ram persistence that makes him both pitiable and dangerous. His fixation becomes the engine of the novel's darkest turns. ## Relationships ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _psychological_ William Boldwood becomes obsessively fixated on Bathsheba after she sends him a valentine as a joke, leading to his tragic downfall. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _psychological_ William Boldwood becomes obsessively fixated on Bathsheba after she sends him a valentine as a joke, leading to his tragic downfall. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _psychological_ William Boldwood becomes obsessively fixated on Bathsheba after she sends him a valentine as a joke, leading to his tragic downfall. ## In the story ### [IX: The Homestead; A Visitor; Half-Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/ix-the-homestead-a-visitor-half-confidences) Visits the farm to inquire about Fanny Robin; described as handsome, stern, and wealthy, but hopeless for women. ### [XII: Farmers; A Rule; An Exception](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xii-farmers-a-rule-an-exception) Introduced as the dignified, reserved farmer who takes no notice of Bathsheba, sparking her curiosity. ### [XIII: Sortes Sanctorum; The Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xiii-sortes-sanctorum-the-valentine) Mentioned as the object of Bathsheba's valentine; his aloofness in church piques her interest and leads to the impulsive gesture. ### [XIV: Effect of the Letter; Sunrise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xiv-effect-of-the-letter-sunrise) Boldwood is deeply affected by Bathsheba's valentine, obsessing over the letter and its implications. He experiences sleeplessness, distorted perceptions, and a growing infatuation, culminating in his decision to personally deliver a misdirected letter to Gabriel Oak. ### [XV: A Morning Meeting; The Letter Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xv-a-morning-meeting-the-letter-again) Returns Fanny's letter to Oak and later inquires about Bathsheba's valentine. ### [XVII: In the Market-Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xvii-in-the-market-place) Boldwood, for the first time, truly looks at Bathsheba and becomes infatuated, experiencing jealousy and the 'injured lover's hell.' ### [XVIII: Boldwood in Meditation; Regret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xviii-boldwood-in-meditation-regret) Boldwood is shown in deep meditation, his calm exterior masking intense inner turmoil. He is described as a man of strong, latent emotions, now stirred by Bathsheba's attention. ### [XIX: The Sheep-Washing; The Offer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xix-the-sheep-washing-the-offer) Makes a heartfelt marriage proposal to Bathsheba at the sheep-washing, revealing his deep infatuation and idealization of her. ### [The Great Barn and the Sheep-Shearers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxii-the-great-barn-and-the-sheep-shearers) Present at the shearing, escorts Bathsheba to see his Leicesters, deepening the workers' belief that marriage is imminent. ### [Eventide; A Second Declaration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxiii-eventide-a-second-declaration) Arrives late by arrangement, sits near Bathsheba, sings bass during her song, and later privately declares his love, receiving a conditional promise of marriage. ### [XXIX: Particulars of a Twilight Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxix-particulars-of-a-twilight-walk) Mentioned as the man Gabriel believes Bathsheba should marry; he is absent from home. ### [XXX: Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxx-hot-cheeks-and-tearful-eyes) Addressee of Bathsheba's rejection letter; not physically present in the chapter. ### [XXXI: Blame; Fury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxi-blame-fury) Devastated by Bathsheba's rejection, he pleads with her and reveals the depth of his obsession. ### [Night; Horses Tramping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxii-night-horses-tramping) Mentioned as being away from home; his horses Tidy and Moll are borrowed without his knowledge for the pursuit. ### [Home Again; A Trickster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxiv-home-again-a-trickster) Seeks forgiveness from Bathsheba, is refused, then negotiates with Troy to marry her. ### [At an Upper Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxv-at-an-upper-window) Boldwood rides past Gabriel and Coggan, his face pale and strained, showing signs of deep sorrow and despair after learning of Bathsheba's marriage. ### [XXXVIII: Rain; One Solitary Meets Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxviii-rain-one-solitary-meets-another) Meets Oak on the lane, confesses his neglect of the ricks and his profound grief over losing Bathsheba, comparing his suffering to the biblical story of Jonah. ### [XLI: Suspicion; Fanny Is Sent For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xli-suspicion-fanny-is-sent-for) Plans to bring Fanny's body to Weatherbury, but Bathsheba takes over the responsibility. ### [XLVIII: Doubts Arise; Doubts Linger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlviii-doubts-arise-doubts-linger) Boldwood catches Bathsheba when she faints upon hearing of Troy's drowning, briefly holding her and feeling a surge of emotion, then assists her with arrangements. ### [Oak’s Advancement; A Great Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlix-oak-s-advancement-a-great-hope) Nurtures a desperate hope that Bathsheba will marry him after six years; he questions Liddy about Bathsheba's feelings and feels ashamed of his underhanded tactics. ### [The Sheep Fair; Troy Touches His Wife’s Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/l-the-sheep-fair-troy-touches-his-wife-s-hand) Watches for an opportunity to speak to Bathsheba; offers her tea and bread-and-butter; offers to destroy the note. ### [Bathsheba Talks with Her Outrider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/li-bathsheba-talks-with-her-outrider) Escorts Bathsheba home and presses her for a promise of marriage in six years, driven by his enduring love and hope. ### [Converging Courses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lii-converging-courses) Boldwood reveals his obsession with Bathsheba, planning to increase Oak's share and secretly possessing a diamond ring for her. ### [LIII: Concurritur; Horae Momento](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liii-concurritur-horae-momento) In a state of intense emotion, he extracts a promise of marriage from Bathsheba and slips a ring on her finger, unaware of the rumors about Troy. ### [After the Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liv-after-the-shock) Walks to Casterbridge and surrenders himself at the gaol after shooting Troy. ### [LV: The March Following; “Bathsheba Boldwood”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lv-the-march-following-bathsheba-boldwood) Sentenced to death for killing Troy, but later reprieved to life imprisonment; his locked closet reveals obsessive gifts for Bathsheba. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/william_boldwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters