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Age and build

Tall and athletic build in adulthood

“He had grown a tall, athletic, well-formed man; beside whom my master seemed quite slender and youth-like” (Wuthering Heights, part 10)

Erect and handsome figure

“he has an erect and handsome figure; and rather morose” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Face and hair

Dark-skinned with gypsy aspect

“He is a dark-skinned gipsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Eyes full of black fire with depressed brows

“A half-civilised ferocity lurked yet in the depressed brows and eyes full of black fire” (Wuthering Heights, part 10)

Deep black eyes with fierce expression

“Those deep black eyes! That smile, and ghastly paleness” (Wuthering Heights, part 34)

Forehead described as manly then diabolical

“His forehead, that I once thought so manly, and that I now think so diabolical, was shaded with a heavy cloud” (Wuthering Heights, part 17)

Dress

Gentleman's dress despite rough origins

“in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Hair and clothes whitened with snow

“His hair and clothes were whitened with snow, and his sharp cannibal teeth, revealed by cold and wrath, gleamed through the dark” (Wuthering Heights, part 17)

Voice and speech

Savage and violent tone

“Get it ready, will you?” was the answer, uttered so savagely that I started. The tone in which the words were said revealed a genuine bad nature” (Wuthering Heights, part 2)

Stern voice from kitchen entrance

“I hope it will be a lesson to you to make no more rash journeys on these hills,” cried Heathcliff’s stern voice from the kitchen entrance” (Wuthering Heights, part 2)

Speaks rapidly with agitation

“he spoke rapidly, and turned his head continually aside, and had the same excited expression, even more exaggerated” (Wuthering Heights, part 34)

Signature words

Curses and oaths

“Damn you all! she wants none of your tears” (Wuthering Heights, part 16)

Repeated use of 'infernally'

“I know you have treated me infernally—infernally! Do you hear” (Wuthering Heights, part 11)

Brutal directness

“Keep your eft’s fingers off; and move, or I’ll kick you!” cried Heathcliff, brutally repulsing her” (Wuthering Heights, part 27)

Sneering laugh

“Heathcliff, who had raised his eyes at the former speech, gave a sneering laugh at the latter” (Wuthering Heights, part 11)

Fiendish laughter

“Heathcliff chuckled a fiendish laugh at the idea” (Wuthering Heights, part 21)

Gait and mannerisms

Upright military carriage

“His upright carriage suggested the idea of his having been in the army” (Wuthering Heights, part 10)

Restless pacing at night

“I distinguished Mr. Heathcliff’s step, restlessly measuring the floor” (Wuthering Heights, part 34)

Violent hand gestures

“Heathcliff lifted his hand, and the speaker sprang to a safer distance, obviously acquainted with its weight” (Wuthering Heights, part 3)

Seizes and drags people roughly

“Tut, tut!” said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly between his knees” (Wuthering Heights, part 20)

Strengths

Intelligent and decisive

“His countenance was much older in expression and decision of feature than Mr. Linton’s; it looked intelligent” (Wuthering Heights, part 10)

Dignified bearing

“his manner was even dignified: quite divested of roughness, though too stern for grace” (Wuthering Heights, part 10)

Shrewd business acumen

“he gave clear, minute directions concerning the matter discussed” (Wuthering Heights, part 34)

Flaws

Morose and reserved nature

“rather morose. Possibly, some people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred pride” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Violent and brutal temperament

“Heathcliff’s violent nature was not prepared to endure the appearance of impertinence” (Wuthering Heights, part 7)

Consumed by revenge

“I’m trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don’t care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last” (Wuthering Heights, part 7)

Cruel to those he dislikes

“a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates, if they give him the slightest opportunity” (Wuthering Heights, part 21)

Incapable of genuine affection

“Your bliss lies, like his, in inflicting misery. You prove it” (Wuthering Heights, part 11)

Traits

Aversion to displays of feeling

“his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling—to manifestations of mutual kindliness” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Capacity for both love and hate

“He’ll love and hate equally under cover, and esteem it a species of impertinence to be loved or hated again” (Wuthering Heights, part 1)

Lines in their own words

Threatening response to Nelly

“Get it ready, will you” (Wuthering Heights, part 2)

Bitter accusation to Catherine

“You have killed me—and thriven on it, I think. How strong you are” (Wuthering Heights, part 15)

Confession of revenge obsession

“I’m trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don’t care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last” (Wuthering Heights, part 7)

Dismissive command to young Linton

“None of that nonsense! We’re not going to hurt thee, Linton—isn’t that thy name” (Wuthering Heights, part 20)

Cryptic statement about his obsession

“I’ll stay. If he shot me so, I’d expire with a blessing on my lips” (Wuthering Heights, part 15)