Quote 1
"I seek no revenge on you," replied Heathcliff, less vehemently. "That's not the plan. The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turn against him; they crush those beneath them." (11.51)
Though Catherine perhaps deserves punishment for turning against him, Heathcliff would do no such thing. What's notable here is that Heathcliff recognizes a pecking order: people pick on those beneath them.
Quote 2
He had the hypocrisy to represent a mourner: and previous to following with Hareton, he lifted the unfortunate child on to the table and muttered, with peculiar gusto, "Now, my bonny lad, you are mine! And we'll see if one tree won't grow as crooked as another, with the same wind to twist it!" (17.119)
With Hindley dead, Hareton is left to suffer under Heathcliff. Like others who fall victim to Heathcliff's abuse, Hareton is a proxy for his father. That Hareton breaks the cycle is a reflection of his love for Catherine and his own strength of character.
Quote 3
"Come in! come in!" he sobbed. "Cathy, do come. Oh, do—once more! Oh! My heart's darling, hear me this time—Catherine, at last!" (3.83)
Just a glimpse of Catherine would assuage the long-suffering Heathcliff, who believes in communication beyond the grave. He is far from afraid of ghosts and has clearly spent a lot of time trying to get Catherine to haunt him.
Quote 4
"Oh! you said you cared nothing for my sufferings! And I pray one prayer—I repeat it till my tongue stiffens—Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living; you said I killed you—haunt me, then! The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always—take any form—drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" (16.25)
To Heathcliff, a life without love is not worth living. In this brief speech, he reveals his anger toward Catherine, which is rare. Usually his rage is directed at any one but Catherine.
Quote 5
"They won't do that," he replied: "if they did, you must have me removed secretly; and if you neglect it you shall prove, practically, that the dead are not annihilated!" (34.81)
If Heathcliff is not buried next to Catherine, he will plague those who refuse his request. Here it is Heathcliff and not Catherine who will be a ghost. And he knows that pretty much everyone else is afraid of ghosts.
Quote 6
"What is it to you?" he growled. "I have a right to kiss her, if she chooses, and you have no right to object. I am not your husband: you needn't be jealous of me!" (11.45)
Just because Heathcliff's not her husband doesn't mean Catherine won't act jealous and possessive of him. In this moment, it's hard not to be on Heathcliff's side.
Quote 7
"I want you to be aware that I know you have treated me infernally—infernally! Do you hear? And if you flatter yourself that I don't perceive it, you are a fool; and if you think I can be consoled by sweet words, you are an idiot." (11.49)
Though he knows he has been cruelly treated, Heathcliff cannot help but love Catherine. As readers we have waited for the moment that Heathcliff gets in Catherine's face about her behavior.
Quote 8
"She abandoned [her home] under a delusion," he answered, "picturing in me a hero of romance, and expecting unlimited indulgences from my chivalrous devotion." (14.35)
Like many others in the story, Isabella is influenced by all the novels she reads. She has certainly changed her opinion of Heathcliff from when they were children.
Quote 9
"You teach me now how cruel you've been—cruel and false. Why did you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself. Yes, you may kiss me, and cry; and wring out my kisses and tears: they'll blight you—they'll damn you. You loved me—then what right had you to leave me? What right—answer me—for the poor fancy you felt for Linton? Because misery and degradation, and death, and nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have parted us, you, of your own will, did it. I have not broken your heart—you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be when you—oh, God! would you like to live with your soul in the grave?" (15.37)
In other words, you have no one to blame but yourself. But Catherine never really sees it that way. And though she continues to love Heathcliff, running away with him is never an option—nor does he ask her to. Why?
Quote 10
"Oh!" he sobbed, "I cannot bear it! Catherine, Catherine, I'm a traitor, too, and I dare not tell you! But leave me, and I shall be killed! Dear Catherine, my life is in your hands: and you have said you loved me, and if you did, it wouldn't harm you. You'll not go, then? kind, sweet, good Catherine! And perhaps you will consent—and he'll let me die with you!" (27.16)
Linton Heathcliff can no longer hide his profound fear of his own father. The worst part is that he wants Catherine to sacrifice herself for him because he is too much of a wuss.