# Napier Harpenden — The Green Hat character guide > Napier Harpenden in The Green Hat by Michael Arlen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Napier, Dark Napier, handsome Napier, dear Napier, Poor Napier **First appearance:** 0002-i-the-green-hat ## Who they are A handsome and sensitive man, entangled in a complex relationship with Iris. ## Relationships ### [Iris March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/iris_march) _romantic_ Iris and Napier share a deep, tumultuous romantic bond marked by passion and tragedy. ### [Venice Pollen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/venice_pollen) _romantic_ Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris. ### [Guy de Travest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/guy_de_travest) _rivalry_ Guy and Napier are bitter rivals, competing for Iris's love and attention. ### [Boy Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/boy_fenwick) _friendship_ Boy Fenwick and Napier were close friends before Boy's death, which haunts Napier. ### [Conrad Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/conrad_masters) _rivalry_ Conrad Masters and Napier are antagonistic rivals, each vying for influence over Iris. ### [Iris March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/iris_march) _romantic_ Iris and Napier share a deep, tumultuous romantic bond marked by passion and tragedy. ### [Iris March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/iris_march) _romantic_ Iris and Napier share a deep, tumultuous romantic bond marked by passion and tragedy. ### [Venice Pollen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/venice_pollen) _romantic_ Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris. ### [Venice Pollen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/venice_pollen) _romantic_ Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris. ### [Guy de Travest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/guy_de_travest) _rivalry_ Guy and Napier are bitter rivals, competing for Iris's love and attention. ### [Boy Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/boy_fenwick) _friendship_ Boy Fenwick and Napier were close friends before Boy's death, which haunts Napier. ### [Guy de Travest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/guy_de_travest) _rivalry_ Guy and Napier are bitter rivals, competing for Iris's love and attention. ## In the story ### [The Green Hat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/the-green-hat) Referenced as part of the social circle, with hints of his connection to Iris and the narrator. ### [The Green Hat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/i-the-green-hat) Briefly mentioned in the context of the narrator's social circle, but not directly present in the chapter. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, who is Gerald's friend and guides Iris to Gerald's room. He reflects on his own ordinariness compared to Gerald and Iris. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/i) Venice's fiancé, mentioned as the one she is waiting for. ### [VI: The Red Lights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/vi-the-red-lights) Napier is distraught and guilt-ridden, having secretly corresponded with Iris and now desperate to see her in the nursing home. He is described as a 'love-lost man' with 'burning, broken eyes,' and the narrator fears his behavior will betray his true feelings to Venice. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/iv) Napier arrives at the nursing home, visibly distressed, and burns a letter to protect his secret connection with Iris. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as having seen Iris; his departure for the South must be prevented. ### [VII: For Venice!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/vii-for-venice) Napier is enchanted by Venice and has renounced his love for Iris, causing him inner conflict. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/i) Napier is described as enchanted; he is planning to leave Paris but is urged to stay for Iris's sake. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ii) Struggling with his promise to Venice and his love for Iris; visits Iris in the nursing home despite his vow. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ii) Referenced as having left roses in Iris's room and having said goodbye; the narrator thinks Napier was wise to leave. ### [IX: Talking of Hats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ix-talking-of-hats) Napier is mentioned as Guy's friend, as dear as a younger brother, and as the name Iris once whispered. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/i) Guy de Travest's friend, as dear to him as a younger brother; mentioned as part of the party group. ### [X: The Fall of the Emerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/x-the-fall-of-the-emerald) Shows affection toward both Venice and Iris, caught between his wife and his past with Iris. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/i) Married to Venice but secretly planning to leave with Iris; he appears gay and natural but is love-lost. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ii) Napier is described with a love-lost, dreaming expression and is involved in the chaotic boat scene. ### [XI: St. George for England!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/xi-st-george-for-england) Referenced as the object of Iris's love and the cause of her conflict; Iris worries about his honor and her own actions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/ii) Iris's childhood love; she recalls their separation and her vow to never say 'I love you' to another. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the enchanted boy with whom Iris is eloping; not present in the scene. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters/napier_harpenden - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_green_hat_se/characters