# Charles Musgrove — Persuasion character guide

> Charles Musgrove in Persuasion by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Charles, Little Charles, Musgrove, Charles Hayter, Hayter, cousin Charles

**First appearance:** 0004-v

## Who they are

Mary's good-humored husband, an eldest son who defends his cousin Charles Hayter and cheerfully imagines Captain Wentworth as a fortune-bearing brother-in-law.

## Relationships

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_friendship_

Friendly, respectful relationship as brother-in-law and sister-in-law, with Charles valuing Anne's sensible advice.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_family_

Married couple with a strained dynamic, as Charles is often exasperated by Mary's complaints and hypochondria.

### [Henrietta Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/henrietta_musgrove)

_family_

Siblings with a typical, easygoing brother-sister bond, though Charles is often dismissive of her romantic concerns.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_family_

Married couple with a strained dynamic, as Charles is often exasperated by Mary's complaints and hypochondria.

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_friendship_

Friendly, respectful relationship as brother-in-law and sister-in-law, with Charles valuing Anne's sensible advice.

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_friendship_

Friendly, respectful relationship as brother-in-law and sister-in-law, with Charles valuing Anne's sensible advice.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_family_

Married couple with a strained dynamic, as Charles is often exasperated by Mary's complaints and hypochondria.

### [Henrietta Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/henrietta_musgrove)

_family_

Siblings with a typical, easygoing brother-sister bond, though Charles is often dismissive of her romantic concerns.

## In the story

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/iv)

Proposed to Anne when she was twenty-two; she refused, and he later married her sister Mary.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/vi)

Charles is civil and agreeable, but lacks depth; he complains about Mary's interference with the children.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/vii)

Arranges to meet Captain Wentworth for shooting; shows inclination to introduce himself.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/ix)

Returns to find Henrietta's affections cooled due to Wentworth's presence.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/x)

Decides to call on his aunt at Winthrop, tries to persuade Mary to join, but ultimately goes with Henrietta.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xiii)

Brings news from Lyme, describes the Harvilles' kindness, and returns with the old nursery-maid to help nurse Louisa.

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xiv)

Charles reports on Captain Benwick's admiration for Anne and his own observations of Captain Wentworth's recovery.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xxii)

Insists on going to the play despite Mary's objections, dismissively referring to Mr. Elliot as 'the rising sun' and refusing to bow to him.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xxiii)

Accompanies Anne partway home and arranges for Captain Wentworth to escort her, showing his good nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/charles_musgrove
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters