# Sir Mulberry Hawk — Nicholas Nickleby character guide

> Sir Mulberry Hawk in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Mulberry, Hawk, Mulberry, the detested Sir Mulberry

**First appearance:** 0019-xvii

## Snapshot

A polished, predatory aristocrat who treats other people's dignity as a toy, and Kate Nickleby's beauty as a prize to be hunted down.

## Who they are

Sir Mulberry Hawk moves through fashionable London as a man of rank, wit, and no scruples, schooling the foolish Lord Verisopht in the arts of pursuit and self-indulgence. He is the cold eye and the cruel appetite behind the nobleman's clumsy advances, and he treats Kate's distress as sport rather than warning. His presence turns the city into a place of traps for the Nicklebys, giving the novel one of its sharpest portraits of aristocratic predation.

## Relationships

### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby)

_rivalry_

Nicholas fiercely opposes Sir Mulberry Hawk's predatory pursuit of his sister Kate.

### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby)

_social_

Ralph associates with Sir Mulberry Hawk as a wealthy acquaintance and fellow schemer.

### [Wackford Squeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/wackford_squeers)

_social_

They are connected through Ralph Nickleby's circle, sharing a mutual disdain for Nicholas.

### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby)

_rivalry_

Nicholas fiercely opposes Sir Mulberry Hawk's predatory pursuit of his sister Kate.

### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby)

_social_

Ralph associates with Sir Mulberry Hawk as a wealthy acquaintance and fellow schemer.

### [Wackford Squeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/wackford_squeers)

_social_

They are connected through Ralph Nickleby's circle, sharing a mutual disdain for Nicholas.

### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby)

_rivalry_

Nicholas fiercely opposes Sir Mulberry Hawk's predatory pursuit of his sister Kate.

### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby)

_social_

Ralph associates with Sir Mulberry Hawk as a wealthy acquaintance and fellow schemer.

## In the story

### [Descriptive of a Dinner at Mr. Ralph Nickleby's, and of the manner in which the company entertained themselves, before dinner, at dinner, and after dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xix)

One of Ralph's guests, behaves with coarse familiarity toward Kate, leading her downstairs and making lewd jokes.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxvi)

Accompanies Lord Frederick to Ralph's office, exchanges knowing glances with him over Mrs. Nickleby, and flatters her to gain information about Kate.

### [Mrs. Nickleby Becomes Acquainted with Messrs. Pyke and Pluck, Whose Affection and Interest Are Beyond All Bounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxvii)

Arranges for Kate and her mother to attend the theater; he harasses Kate and dismisses her protests, finding her anger attractive.

### [Miss Nickleby Appeals to Her Uncle for Protection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxviii)

Reflects on pursuing Kate, viewing her as a conquest to enhance his reputation among his profligate circle.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxii)

Leads the conversation mocking Kate Nickleby, is challenged by Nicholas, and strikes him with a whip before his carriage bolts.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Lying injured and bedridden, he rages against Nicholas Nickleby and is surprised by Lord Frederick's defense of the Nicklebys.

### [Mr. Ralph Nickleby cuts an old acquaintance. It would also appear from the contents hereof, that a joke, even between husband and wife, may be sometimes carried too far.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xliv)

Sir Mulberry has left for France on doctor's orders after a severe illness, avoiding any retaliation for his earlier conflict with Nicholas.

### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/l)

Engages in a tense confrontation with Lord Frederick, revealing his vengeful intentions and manipulative nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/sir_mulberry_hawk
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters