Mr. Knightley


Character Source Material: Jane Austen, Novels Written by


Mr. George Knightley, the elder brother of John Knightley and brother-in-law to Emma Woodhouse's sister Isabella, is a paragon of gentlemanly virtue in Jane Austen's "Emma." Born into the landed gentry and raised to be a responsible estate owner, Knightley embodies the ideals of propriety, reason, and moral uprightness in Regency-era England. His character is marked by a keen sense of justice, unwavering honesty, and a deep-seated concern for others' well-being, qualities that make him a respected figure in Highbury society. Knightley's relationship with Emma, whom he has known since her infancy, evolves from that of a mentor to a romantic interest, showcasing his patience and emotional depth. Despite his seriousness, Knightley possesses a dry wit and is not above gentle teasing, particularly when it comes to Emma's follies. His practical nature, combined with his emotional intelligence, allows him to navigate social intricacies with grace while maintaining his principles. Knightley's character serves as a moral compass throughout the novel, his actions and advice consistently demonstrating the values of kindness, social responsibility, and clear-sighted judgment.


5 Factor Personality Summary for Mr. Knightley

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 2.46 Low
Agreeableness 87.1 High
Extraversion 39.89 Average
Conscientiousness 95.26 High
Openness 56.52 Average
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Mr. Knightley

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

The novel doesn't provide strong evidence either for or against Mr. Knightley's imaginative capabilities. His focus tends to be on practical matters and social observations rather than imaginative pursuits.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately inaccurate 4

While Mr. Knightley is practical, he also shows an interest in discussing ideas and principles. His conversations with Emma often touch on abstract concepts of morality and social behavior.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Very inaccurate 5

Mr. Knightley demonstrates a keen intellect and ability to engage in complex discussions with Emma. His understanding of social dynamics and human nature suggests he has no difficulty with abstract concepts.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

While Mr. Knightley is intelligent and perceptive, the novel doesn't provide strong evidence of a particularly vivid imagination. His approach to life seems more grounded in reality and practical considerations.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Moderately accurate 2

Mr. Knightley appears to have a stable emotional state throughout most of the novel. However, he does experience moments of distress, particularly when he believes Emma might marry Frank Churchill.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Moderately accurate 2

While Mr. Knightley can be serious about important matters, he generally exhibits a calm and composed demeanor. His ease in social situations and his patient guidance of Emma suggest a generally relaxed temperament.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Very inaccurate 1

Mr. Knightley is known for his composure and rationality. Even when disagreeing with Emma or facing frustrating situations, he maintains his calm and expresses himself in a measured manner.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Very inaccurate 1

Mr. Knightley is characterized by his steady temperament and consistent behavior. Throughout the novel, he maintains a calm and rational demeanor, even in challenging situations.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Very inaccurate 5

Mr. Knightley is portrayed as competent and level-headed. His ability to manage his estate efficiently and provide sound advice to others indicates that he rarely, if ever, 'makes a mess of things.'

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Very inaccurate 5

Given Mr. Knightley's orderly nature and his well-managed estate, it's highly unlikely that he would be forgetful or careless with his possessions.

Conscientiousness Like order. Very accurate 5

Mr. Knightley values propriety and social order. His disapproval of Emma's meddling and his efforts to maintain proper social conduct demonstrate his preference for order and structure in society.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Moderately accurate 4

While not explicitly stated, Mr. Knightley's responsible nature and efficient management of his estate suggest he is diligent about his duties. His prompt visits to Hartfield and timely interventions in various situations indicate a proactive approach to tasks.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Very inaccurate 5

Mr. Knightley frequently involves himself in helping others with their problems. His efforts to guide Emma, assist the Bates family, and mediate conflicts show his active interest in others' issues.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Very inaccurate 5

Mr. Knightley shows genuine interest in the well-being and affairs of others throughout the novel. His concern for the Bates family and his active involvement in community matters demonstrate his interest in others.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Moderately accurate 4

Mr. Knightley demonstrates emotional intelligence, often understanding the underlying feelings of others. His ability to perceive Emma's true feelings, even when she herself is unaware of them, showcases this trait.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Very accurate 5

Mr. Knightley consistently shows empathy towards others. A prime example is his concern for Harriet Smith's feelings and his disapproval of Emma's meddling in Harriet's romantic affairs, recognizing the potential for hurt.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

While Mr. Knightley doesn't seek the spotlight, he also doesn't shy away from social interactions or expressing his views. He maintains a balanced presence, neither dominating nor avoiding social situations.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Moderately inaccurate 4

Mr. Knightley is portrayed as articulate and willing to engage in conversation, particularly with Emma. Their frequent discussions and debates demonstrate his readiness to express his thoughts and opinions.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately accurate 4

As a prominent member of Highbury society, Mr. Knightley is shown to interact with various people at social events. For instance, at the Crown Inn ball, he converses with different guests and even dances with Harriet Smith when she is snubbed by Mr. Elton.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately inaccurate 2

Mr. Knightley is described as sociable and well-respected, but not as someone who seeks to be the center of attention. In the novel, he often provides a calm, steady presence rather than being boisterous or overly animated at social gatherings.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".