So, in a recent British poll on the most romantic literary character of all time (men, that is; they dealt with women in an earlier poll), top honors went to Rochester, the brooding hunk at the heart of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Though I’m a huge fan of Jane Eyre — I reread my well-thumbed copy at least once a year — I’m not enamored of Rochester, who, let’s face it, wasn’t very nice to poor Jane. (For those who you who haven’t read the book, or who read it so long ago it’s a distant blur, let’s just say Rochester was alternately cold, imperious, and withholding, and he proposed to Jane — and was going through with the wedding — without disclosing that he was already married to a madwoman he kept imprisoned in the attic). But am I possibility in the minority here? British best-selling novelist Penny Vincenzi wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “From that very first meeting [age 13, when she read the book for the first time], when Rochester’s horse slipped on the ice, and he was unseated, and I was confronted by his dark, unsmiling presence, his ‘stern features, and heavy brow… his considerable breadth of chest,’ I was completely in his thrall.”
So here’s the British poll in full:
1. Edward Rochester of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre
2. Richard Sharpe of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series.
3. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
4. Heathcliff of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights
5. Rhett Butler of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind
6. Mark Darcy, of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’ Diary
7. Captain Corelli of Louis de Berniere’s Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
8. Henry DeTamble of Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife
9. Gabriel Oak of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd
10. Rupert Campbell Black of Jilly Cooper’s The Rutshire Chronicles
Several thoughts here. Maybe it’s because I’m a Southern, but Rhett Butler — the dashing Charleston-born blockade runner who lusted after Scarlett O’Hara — is tops with me. (I took umbrage at Vincenzi when she said Butler lacked Rochester’s “complexity.” Excuse me — lacked complexity?) And what’s with No. 2, Richard Sharpe? Didn’t every single woman he romanced die in childbirth? (It’s been awhile since I read the books, so I could be wrong.) And who in their right mind could truly love the unutterable snob Fitzwilliam Darcy? (Oh. Wait. This is a British survey.)
I’m still mulling over my final list, but I think both Max de Winter from Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Benedick from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing belong on it. Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series. George Emerson from E.M. Forster’s A Room With A View.
When I canvassed my friends, I got some surprising answers. “Definitely, it’s Garp,” said one. “I go for the tortured, suicidal, depressed Westchester types. Or maybe I just sorta get him confused with John Irving.” “Are you kidding? It’s Father Ralph de Bricassart,” said another, mentioning the swoon-worthy priest of Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds. My colleagues had a lot to say on the subject too. Marc Bernardin nominated ”Gollum. His love for the Ring, for his Precious, knows no bounds, sends him on a quest across his known world, brings him into conflict with those who would do him great harm, and finally seals his fate.” Jeff Labrecque said, “He’s not dashing, but I always had a soft spot for Sydney Carton [from Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities].” Alynda Wheat was partial to Richard Carstone from Bleak House (“a man who’ll marry you when you’ve been altered by illness — lovely”), to all the Austen men, and to William Dobbin from Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. A fellow staffer who wished to remain anonymous mentioned both Logan Bruno from The Babysitters Club books and Rob Gordon from Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity.
Who’s on your list?
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how long til someone says the dude from twilight?
Looks like 8 minutes.
LOL!
hahahahaahahah
Where is Levin from Anna Karenina?
I second that. Konstantin Lewin is one the most selfless characters in literature and is actual the main character in Anna Karenina.
What a fun thing to think about! Agreed that Darcy is an unredeemed snob and I don’t like them at all in real life but there is something about the fictitious Darcy that makes him, well, hot. When he professes his love again to Elizabeth Bennet during that country stroll at the end of the novel–well, I could read that scene again and again. Wait, I guess I have!
I’ll be the first but certainly not the last to add Charlaine Harris’s Bill Compton and Eric Northman to the list.
they put bloody Rochester at the top of the list and put Mr, Darcy at number four? and i’m sorry, but i hate hate hate HATED Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff, not so much my fav. He marries her sister-in-law. how is THAT romantic?
and also, mark darcy likes bridget jones “JUST AS SHE IS.” how does that alone not make him number one?????? HE DOESN’T WANT HER TO CHANGE!!!!!!!! helloooooo. doesn’t that even appease the feminists in the group???
Mr. Darcy is tops on my list! First impressions aren’t always true.
I would also have chosen Fitzwilliam Darcy. Yes he is handsome and a brooding sort, but that is not what makes him irresistible. Austen knew what she was doing when writing the character of Mr. Darcy. She wrote a real man with flaws. Instead of the man of our fantasies or dreams, Mr. Darcy is the man we can hope to meet one day.
Heck yeah! The only reason I even clicked on this list was to see where Darcy landed on it…And was shocked to see him as low as the blasphemous #4!!
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Ditto
edward cullen!!! he is so hot and sexy! im wish i find my edward soon…..
he is a pedophile. you are aware of that dont you?
Except that he doesn’t have sex with Bella until she is legally an adult.
LOL I’m not a Twilight fan, but according to your flawed logic, then so is every vampire in history, including Angel and Spike, for all you Buffy fans.
Nearly every leading man on this list has issues. Rochester- insufferable jerk. Rhett Buttler- much the same. Heathcliff (do we really have enough time for this one?) As far as the pedophilia goes, a number of romantic leading men have fallen for much, much younger ladies. Just because he isn’t part of a classic piece of literature doesn’t make him any less romantic. Cullen’s got my vote.
I’m for Rhett Butler too. Although I can see the appeal of precious Mr Darcy. Rhett Butler has the bad-boy quality though
John Thornton from North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell…
I totally second John Thornton
Okay, I’ll third John Thornton. All the brooding of Rochester but with a much better heart and kinder spirit underneath. I couldn’t believe John Thornton wasn’t included on this list. I thought “North and South” was supposed to be a very well-loved and much-appreciated book in the UK!
I absolutely agree 100%. I love, love, love John Thornton. Especially Richard Armitage in the BBC Adaptation.
Absolutely! He is so great
Add me to the John Thornton admirers!
I agree with you, Gaskell’s John Thornton is in my top list.
When I discovered John Thornton he made deciding between the others unnecessary, he is on his own.
I have to admit, my personal choice is Mr. Darcy, but what about Wesley from The Princess Bride? He did overcome death to be with Buttercup.
i totally agree with that one, but mr. rochester is forever number one on my list. He did things wrong but in the end the pain and redemption of it made him into an even more amazing person.
Yes!!! The Dread Pirate Wesley is probably my #1 romantic hero. Smart, witty, and totally in love w/Buttercup.
Ooooo definitely Wesley!
Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon…He is amazingly sexy and he can wield a sword!
Seconded wholeheartedly!
AMAZING! Jamie Fraser is absolutely my #1…well done Kate!
And he’s probably the most complex, due to the fact that we see him grow and change over the series and his life (while still always in love with his Sassenach of course!). The fact that it also focuses on day to day life makes it even more romantic.
Jamie Fraser is the MAN!!! That was my first thought when I clicked on this topic. I’m just now finishing up A Breath of Snow and Ashes.
Totally agree with Jamie Fraser! I thought of him first, too, when I read this topic. One of the best characters in literature, romantic or otherwise!
I agree Jamie Fraser is the sexiest man in literature because of his passion for Claire and hwo we see it grown and change over time.
YES! I agree. That character makes me swoon.
1. Aragorn – Lord of the Rings
2. Edward Rochester – Jane Eyre
3. Fitzwilliam Darcy – Pride and Prejudice
4. Rhodry Maelwaed – Deverry series by Katharine Kerr
5. Severus Snape – Harry Potter series
snape is romantic?
Sure, he did it all for the unrequited love of Lily.
Exactly.
Yes, Snape is actually a romantic hero.
Auriana, I agree with you on Severus Snape. Flawed he maybe, but courageous, daring, and strongest person in new age books.
totally agreeing with aragorn right there…
only when he is colonel brandon
second that one!!
OMG! Aragorn! Of course! How could I forget him!
Great list, I cant believe Aragorn wasnt mentioned until your reply. Snape was really interesting choice, not something I would have immediately thought of, but definitely true.
The only one I would add would be Wesley.
Uh, Florentino Ariza from “Love in the Time of Cholera.” DUH!
Agreed.
Florentino Ariza is obsessive to the point of insanity, not romantic.
A lot of his affairs ruin (and even lead to the violent end of) his lovers’ lives. Besides, with over 620 sexual conquests, I’m shocked he doesn’t have syphillis. Not appealing!
Florentino drives America to suicide. Not my idea of a romantic hero.
Darcy is amazing…even though i personaly always liked Bingley better than Darcy (he is much nicer) but Darcy should still top the list! never read Jane Eyre, never want to. The person who should be mentioned is Captain Wentworth because Persuasion is awsome! also love how Bridget Jones gets mentioned! don’t know how Heathcliff makes the list because all he does is try and get revenge on people-he’s not likeable at all! glad twilight isn’t mentioned on here! (i am a girl who just finished high school, but still think Jane Austen is better than the horribly written Twilight books!)
I have to agree about Captain Wentworth. When I read the title of the post, my thoughts immediately went to him. That letter he writes Anne at the end of the book is completely swoon-worthy!
yup – agree with Captain Wentworth. *swoon*
I agree! Captain Wentworth needs to be on this list! I always have a tough time choosing between him and Mr. Darcy when I read Austen.
Wentworth is far better than Darcy. The whole discussion on who loves the longest is the greatest bit of literature I have read in a long time…and I’m an English major.
Bingley is definitely more appealing than Darcy at a first look. I only put Darcy above Bingley because you see more of Darcy and his own struggles. I am so glad that you mentioned Captain Wentworth! I was about to comment about him being mentioned when I saw your post. And I agree COMPLETELY about Twilight- those 15 year-old girls need to learn what real literature is!!!
I’m a fifteen year old teenager and i 100% guarantee that i hate twilight and read tons of literature
Jane Austen is definitely an amazing writer, and Mr.Darcy is flawed yet still a good man.
Not all of us are twi-hards.
Why is Heathcliff on the list? He’s soo abhorrent! None of the characters in Wuthering Heights are good except for Hareton…honestly, none of them have any redeeming qualities.
I never understood Heathcliff’s status as a romantic hero either. He’s horrible and violent.
I’d have to add Florentino Ariza from Love in the Time of Cholera.
Florentino is kinda creepy.
I’ll have to give my vote to both Fitzwilliam Darcy and Heathcliff
I’m with Jeff Labrecque. Sydney Carton died in Charles Darnay’s place so the woman he loved could be with the man she loved. Nothing more romantic than that.
Agreed, especially since he also gain redemption from his own wasted life.
Rhett Butler is my tops, and I think my first literary crush, I read GWTW in the 6th grade and have gone back and read all the Rhett Butler parts over and over again. Oh and good call on Max de Winter, he was so intriguing. I will be thinking about my list all day!
Vronsky over Edward Cullen any day!
@pop… only 8 minutes since your post…the dreaded EC was mentioned!
I second the mention of Wentworth from Persuasion. That letter is the only time I’ve cried during a book. So beautiful and romantic. Forget broody bad boys. I’ll take an unending love any day that overcomes time and heartbreak. Mature love.
He’s my favorite as well. Ciaran Hind’s portrayal of him…there’s just no words. Beyond swoon.
Persuasion is my favorite Austen book, and so underrated! Captain Wentworth holds on to his love for eight years, through war and across oceans. He stands strong despite familial opposition and possible rivals for her affection… THAT is romantic!
Totally agree. Always been my favourite! He was so true to Anne…
I think I’ll have new answers popping into my head all day, but right now I have to say Gilbert Blythe and George Emerson, Florentino Ariza, and Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility. Maybe Laurie from Little Women. And the Little Prince.
Yes! Laurie. Also (can’t remember his name) but the hero in Atlas Shrugged. Agree with Heathcliff being on the list as well as the no. 1 pick. Also Jamie Fraser.
Yes! Totally agree with Colonel Brandon. Really I go for just about any of the main men in Jane Austen’s books, but there’s just something about the Colonel that gets me every time I read the book.
I love Colonel Brandon! And thank you for pointing out Laurie! I just re-read Little Women and when he confesses his love, I cried because it was just so beautiful!
yes–george emerson from a room with a view! definitely.
What about Noah from the Notebook by Nicholas Sparks? Now that was Romance! A lot of Nicholas Sparks Male characters are very romantic, I also Like John from Dear John.
oh yes!
Oooooh! Noah! I also loved Landon from “A Walk to Remember”
I was so happy to see Henry DeTamble. He is number one on my list. Fitzwilliam Darcy would definitely be on my list as well. He is snobby but at the same time, there is always something about him that gets me (and many others too). It is nice to see people mentioned Rob Gordon and Sydney Carton (My man!). In Sydney’s case, who doesn’t love a guy whose love is completely unrequited yet he STILL gives up his life for it?I would also like to add Harry Potter. I know that he isn’t terribly romantic with the ladies but his bravery, courage, loyalty and heart make me swoon. I have a thing for self-sacrificing heroes clearly..
I agree, Harry Potter is pretty brave, courageous, and loyal. But what about Ron Weasley? He’s pretty romantic too… Oh, and Neville…
J.K. Rowling packed some pretty amazing heroes into those books.
I agree! Ron should be included too. Ron is another favorite of mine because I always fall for the goofy/hilarious side kick type. Sirius Black was equally amazing. siiiigh oh the men of Harry Potter.
I am in eternal love with Ron Weasley. Also Mr. Darcy. And, admittedly, Edward Cullen. I have diverse tastes.
Now ladies.. Don’t forget Mr.Remus Lupin!!
He’s also a self-sacrificing werewolf who believed that no one could love him.. That is until Tonks.
I’m sorry but Lupin and Tonks are my absolute FAVORITE harry Potter couple ever!
And don’t’ forget the humorous Fred and George!
Yes.. the men of Harry Potter INDEED.
They’re amazing.
And POWN the twilight men anyday.
Win<3 Remus has my vote, by a landslide.
Don’t forget Sirius Black! Wow I would date almost any of the HP men…
Agreed
I’m getting that HP itch again… Im gonna have to reread the series. Its been about 6months, I think its thats time again.
haha, Gilbert Blythe! I so swooned over him when I was eleven. And yes, Mr. Darcy… mmmm, Mr. Darcy.
Gilbert was amazing, because as much as Anne is awesome, she’s also super annoying and self-involved, and he just ignored all her drama.
Definitely Captain Wentworth from Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She broke his heart and he still loved her. And that letter he wrote her!! AMAZING!!
Rochester? Heathcliff? Rhett Butler? All treat people around them horribly.
Agreed. I think there’s room on the list for some men who are a little nicer.
I agree with you except for Rhett Butler. I wouldn’t say he treated people around him horribly. He was always waiting on Scarlett–waiting for her to not be married, waiting for her to figure out that she really loved him. He walked out in the end becasue he was tired of waiting. I’d say Rhett is the ultimate romantic literary figure. He loved Scarlett despite all her numerous flaws.
No, I love Rhett, put him in my list, but besides helping her to escape Atlanta, he was always kind of mean to Scarlett! How could he expect her to love him with that kind of behaviour?? I always thought that if only he had told her the true reason for marrying her, everything could have been different…
Rhett? A romantic hero??? he LEFT Scarlett!!!! I dont think he deserves an award.
Rhett is romantic, plus I think Scarlett’s kind of at fault, since she “loved” Ashley Wilkes throughout the entire book, until the end when she “found out” she loved Rhett; she used her chances up to many times. Rhett is a romantic hero in my eyes, putting up with her loving someone else for numbers of years, and he still kept loving her knowing that!
John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskel’s North and South. Wow. I hate to say it but he totally kicks Darcy’s butt. I would also put Darcy on the list…just a little lower.
Rochester all. the. way.
“Make my happiness, I’ll make yours.”
George Emerson! A Room With a View is the ultimate romantic novel, and he is without a doubt one of the best written male characters of all time.
Oh, and what about Wesley from Goldsmith’s The Princess Bride? The entire book just radiates romanticism. I mean the man dies for Buttercup…and then comes back to life to rescue her! That’s the epitome of romance.