Tarzan of the Apes · Character
William Cecil Clayton
The polished English cousin who inherits the Greystoke title and courts Jane, unaware that the rightful heir is a jungle-raised ape-man watching from the trees.
supporting
Also known as Mr. William Cecil Clayton, Cecil Clayton, Cecil, Mister Clayton
First appearance: xiii his own kind
As a supporting figure in Tarzan of the Apes, William Cecil Clayton is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Gets lost in the jungle while searching for Professor Porter, is stalked by Sheeta and Numa, is rescued by Tarzan, and is led back toward the beach.
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Clayton is everything Tarzan is not: educated, well-mannered, and comfortable in drawing rooms, yet he proves surprisingly brave when the party is stranded in Africa. He genuinely cares for Jane and believes himself the…
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Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Sailors, Mutineers, and Rivals
- Protagonist
- Castaways and Rescuers
- Ape Tribe and Family
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional peak of relief and reunion after the pro…
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William Cecil Clayton appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See William Cecil Clayton in xiii his own kind