# Heathcliff — Wuthering Heights character guide > Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Heathcliff, Poor Heathcliff, cruel Heathcliff, bonny lad Heathcliff, young Heathcliff, Master Heathcliff **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A foundling raised at Wuthering Heights whose fierce devotion and deeper grievance turn him into the instrument of everyone's ruin. ## Who they are Brought home from the streets by old Mr. Earnshaw, Heathcliff grows up half-sibling, half-outsider, adored by Catherine and despised by Hindley. His love for Catherine is absolute and possessive, and when she chooses Edgar Linton's gentility over his wildness, he vanishes and returns wealthy, cold, and patient in his cruelty. His contempt for weakness and his long memory drive the schemes that entangle both families across two generations. ## Relationships ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _romantic_ An intense, obsessive, and destructive soulmate bond that transcends social boundaries and fuels the novel's central tragedy. ### [Hareton Earnshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hareton_earnshaw) _rivalry_ A brutal master-servant dynamic where Heathcliff degrades and controls Hareton out of revenge against Hindley. ### [Hindley Earnshaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/hindley_earnshaw) _rivalry_ A bitter, lifelong rivalry rooted in childhood abuse and Hindley's degradation of Heathcliff, later reversed. ### [Nelly Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/nelly_dean) _professional_ A tense, wary relationship where Nelly serves as Heathcliff's reluctant confidante and moral counterpoint. ### [Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/joseph) _social_ A shared, grim religious fanaticism and mutual disdain for others creates an uneasy alliance at Wuthering Heights. ### [Linton Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/linton_heathcliff) _family_ A cold, manipulative father-son relationship where Heathcliff uses Linton as a tool for revenge. ### [Edgar Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/edgar_linton) _rivalry_ A bitter rivalry fueled by class conflict and Edgar's jealousy over Catherine's love for Heathcliff. ### [Isabella Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/isabella_linton) _psychological_ A predatory, abusive marriage where Heathcliff marries Isabella solely to torment Edgar and Catherine. ### [Zillah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/zillah) _professional_ A professional, distant relationship where Zillah serves as housekeeper at Wuthering Heights under Heathcliff's rule. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _romantic_ An intense, obsessive, and destructive soulmate bond that transcends social boundaries and fuels the novel's central tragedy. ### [Catherine Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/catherine_linton) _romantic_ An intense, obsessive, and destructive soulmate bond that transcends social boundaries and fuels the novel's central tragedy. ### [Linton Heathcliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/linton_heathcliff) _family_ A cold, manipulative father-son relationship where Heathcliff uses Linton as a tool for revenge. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/i) The landlord of Wuthering Heights, depicted as dark-skinned, reserved, and morose, with a gentlemanly bearing that contrasts with his rude, inhospitable behavior. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ii) Host, reveals the young woman is his daughter-in-law, shows hatred toward her, laughs at Lockwood's humiliation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/iii) Reacted with savage vehemence to Lockwood's mention of Catherine, then sobbed and begged her ghost to return. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/iv) Introduced as a sullen, patient child brought from Liverpool; endures abuse from Hindley but shows a calculating side. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/v) Lies with his head in Catherine's lap; mourns Mr. Earnshaw's death with her. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vi) Narrates the adventure at Thrushcross Grange, expressing contempt for the Lintons and fierce loyalty to Catherine. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/vii) Expresses jealousy of Edgar Linton's appearance and social standing; vows revenge on Hindley; is locked in the garret after throwing hot sauce at Edgar. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/viii) Has become sullen and degraded under Hindley's mistreatment; confronts Catherine about her preference for the Lintons and marks an almanac to track her time spent with him versus them. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/ix) Disappears after overhearing Catherine's declaration that marrying him would be degrading, and is not seen again for years. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/x) Visits Thrushcross Grange cautiously, is the object of Isabella's infatuation, and reconnects with Hindley at Wuthering Heights. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xi) Manipulates Isabella, confronts Catherine and Edgar, and threatens revenge. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xii) Persuades Isabella to run away with him, and is reported to have been walking with her in the plantation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xiv) Heathcliff interrogates Nelly about Catherine, declares his obsessive love for her, and expresses his hatred for Edgar. He also torments Isabella, admitting he never loved her and that she now hates him. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xv) Visits Catherine secretly, expresses his anguish and love, and reluctantly leaves when Edgar returns. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xvi) Grieves violently upon learning of Catherine's death, begs her ghost to haunt him, and secretly visits her corpse to replace a lock of her hair with his own. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xvii) Shows grief over Catherine's death, attacks Isabella with a knife, violently subdues Hindley, and later inquires about Isabella's child with a menacing intent. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xviii) Heathcliff is described as a cruel landlord who has deliberately kept Hareton uneducated and brutish. He is gloomy and avoids companionship. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xix) Indirectly present through Joseph's demand; he insists on reclaiming his son Linton, overriding Edgar's guardianship. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xx) Heathcliff receives his son with scorn, mocking his frailty and expressing his intention to use Linton to inherit the Grange. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxi) Reveals his pleasure in degrading Hareton, comparing his own upbringing and boasting of Hareton's fondness for him. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxii) Confronts Cathy on the road, demanding an explanation for her dropped correspondence with Linton and threatening to reveal her letters to her father. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiii) Mentioned as being absent on the moors; Linton reports his harsh words and threats regarding the Grange. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxiv) Avoids Catherine but is overheard abusing Linton; laughs when Catherine intervenes. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxv) Manipulates Linton's correspondence and forces him to appear eager, threatening his plans if Linton dies. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as a looming, feared presence; Linton is terrified of his anger. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxvii) Sadistic and manipulative, he traps Catherine at Wuthering Heights, using Linton as a pawn. He physically assaults Catherine when she tries to escape. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxviii) Manipulates events to secure property; strikes Catherine and crushes her mother's portrait. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxix) Forces Catherine to return to Wuthering Heights, reveals he opened Catherine Earnshaw's coffin, and expresses his obsessive desire to be buried beside her. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxx) Cold and controlling, he seizes Linton's property, refuses medical aid, and treats Catherine with cruel indifference. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxi) Restless and gaunt; he mutters about seeing Catherine in Hareton's face and seems troubled by the resemblance. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxii) Reported dead three months prior; his death is the catalyst for the changed atmosphere at Wuthering Heights. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxiii) Reveals his loss of desire for revenge and his torment over Catherine Earnshaw's memory; struggles with his feelings toward Hareton and young Catherine. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/chapters/xxxiv) Heathcliff is in a state of extreme agitation and strange joy, refusing food and sleep, muttering Catherine's name, and speaking of his death and burial. He appears to be haunted by a vision of Catherine. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters/heathcliff - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wuthering_heights_se/characters