From his bravery to his arrogance, there's a lot to love (and not a little to dislike) about Duke Simon in Bridgerton.
When Bridgerton hit Netflix, all fans could talk about was Simon Basset. There’s a lot to love about this handsome man, but he’s also an extremely dynamic character that is, of course, not without his flaws. This period drama has everything from romance to family drama to duels to balls, and Simon is at the center of it all.
For those that can’t get enough of the Duke of Hastings, it’s time to reflect on some of the best traits he brings to the table. However, all fans could admit there are some qualities that are far from redeeming.
Simon is a pretty reserved person, and that sometimes means he doesn’t really care about what he says when he does speak. He isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind, and sometimes it can be a bit blunt and harsh.
When Daphne asks questions or is trying to be fun, he can slap her across the face with his words. Fans will never forget when he told her they were never friends, either. His blunt and harsh nature is definitely not redeeming.
Fans can’t get enough of Daphne and Simon. He’s patient with her, and he has such a passion for her that it makes every fan ‘burn’. Aside from his lie about having children, he helps Daphne every step of the way along their journey.
Simon is all-in with his love for her, and anyone would be lucky to have a partner as committed and romantic as Simon. He would definitely sweep any fan off their feet.
There’s definitely an upside and a downside to being confident, and arrogance is definitely Simon’s downfall. He certainly thinks he’s above everyone in the town, and acts like it when he’s at the balls. (Of course, he literally is above most of them, at least in terms of titles and status!)
He doesn’t need to dance with anyone, in his opinion, and he thinks the social season is utter chaos and totally ridiculous. Simon thinks he’s as tough as they come, which gets him in trouble with Anthony and, well, everyone else.
As for the upside of his arrogance, Simon’s confidence is actually a pretty redeemable quality. He knows what he wants, and he isn’t going to pretend to be someone he’s not to appeal to anybody.
Simon is confident in his love for Daphne in front of the queen, and he also shows great pride and confidence when he duels Anthony, or even every time he converses with him. Simon’s confidence is admirable and certainly makes fans love him.
Simon’s moods change faster than the weather. He is a brooding and mysterious man, but it’s mainly because he’s not usually in a great mood. Daphne often pokes at him for his grumpy demeanor.
Plus, Simon is impatient and irritable. From wanting to leave every ball as soon as possible to not having the time of day to talk to anyone else, Simon can definitely be a bit moody - which fans don’t really like.
This character is clearly incredibly smart. He knows what people want and what they’re thinking, and is extremely aware of both himself and everyone around him. He’s super capable when it comes to being a Duke, too, from financials to resources.
Simon can attend the balls and know exactly what’s going to happen, and this is one thing that Daphne finds extremely hilarious and charming. Of course, fans definitely do, too.
Simon is definitely guilty of having a short fuse. He has a temper that can very much lead into aggression. It’s hard to ignore his tense conversations with Anthony or when he beat Nigel to a pulp.
His aggression usually has a good intention, but he is certainly unable to control his temper at the best of times. This is one quality that fans wish he could work one, and to be fair, he has.
There are definitely moments when Simon is pretty selfish, but generally speaking, he really only cares about the people around him - especially Daphne. He loves her deeply, but he still refuses to marry her for her own sake.
Daphne surely doesn’t take this as a compliment, but he really did have her best life in mind. His intentions are pure, and he would do anything for the people he cares about.
This trait is probably the biggest one that fans truly can’t stand. Simon is certainly mysterious, but it’s to an almost annoying degree. He’s impossible to read and even harder to get to open up.
When Daphne finally discovers the letters he sent to his father as a child, it becomes even more clear how much he doesn’t open up - even to his wife that he loves. Simon avoids feelings, especially when it comes to sharing them. His evasive behavior is definitely frustrating.
One of Simon’s most redeeming qualities is probably his courage. He is genuinely himself, and while he might be a bit quiet and reserved, he still knows when to take a chance.
He was brave with Daphne, and let his passion guide his actions. He was also brave in his duel with Anthony, and was not afraid to stand up for himself or for Daphne. This brave character is definitely admirable.
