Wickham/Willoughby

Major Spoilers for Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility

Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility are probably Jane Austen's most famous work, especially P&P. They both center around a couple of lovable sisters who have nothing but their charm to make their way in this world. They both have a villain in the form of a handsome young man. At first glance George Wickham and John Willoughby are the same. Charming and handsome and greedy. They make the heroine fall for him, while having a terrible secret. But, there are some major differences between these two men that I'd like to discuss. First of all, yes, Wickham is as terrible as he seems but the same cannot be said about Willoughby. It is clear quite early in the novel that Wickham is not to be trusted, as he leaves poor Lizzy in a heartbeat for the chance of having some of Mary King's large fortune. His true nature is then revealed when we hear about the Miss Darcy/Wickham story and finally we as readers are certain of his true colors after the Lydia-incident. One could say Wickham acts only to further his own interests and pleasures. He comes off cold and calculating and it seems he cares for none of the ladies he actually seeks the attention of. Georgiana Darcy because of her wealth, Lizzy and Lydia probably because of simple base pleasures, since it seems he had no intention of marrying Lydia. But he has no emotional connections to any of them it would seem. He also shows no remorse or guilt and show no sign of embarrassment when visiting Longbourn as a brother and son-in-law.
However, I feel that not the same could be said of Willoughby. Yes, he truly treats Marianne ill and leaving Brandon's ward with a child was not the best move on his side. But we see a passionate side of him, a side we do not see of Wickham. Despite his terrible decisions in life he does love Marianne, she is his true love and he gives it up for worldly possessions and riches. A choice he will live to regret as he marries a woman he despises. If anything, Willoughby should be pitied instead of disliked.