The character that annoys me the most is Jane Fairfax. I know she's not supposed to be a villain, but I really don't like her. Which is interesting because my favorite supporting character is Jane Bennet, and Jane Fairfax is rather like Emma's version of Jane Bennet. The difference is that we get to know Jane B. and see that she is kind and good and loyal. Jane Fairfax seems aloof and it's like we know that she ought to be Emma's good friend, but she isn't. I know that's probably Emma's fault, but still, I feel like I know no actual good of Jane F. Meanwhile, much of the town fawns all over her, rather like Mrs. Bennet does about Lydia. Frank pretends he doesn't, but he does too.
I do agree that one of the worst is Mrs. Norris.
In the movie versions, P&P2's Mrs. Bennet is so annoying that I have to fast-forward the scenes where she comes on. There is no way that version of her could have captured Mr. B with her beauty and charm! On the other hand P&P1's Mrs. B. is absolutely delightful--she definitely shows that she was both beautiful and charming, and almost still is, it's just that's she's vulgar and not-so-bright. The actress did a brilliant job.
Among the men, John Thorpe and Wickham are the sleaziest. But villains are important to the stories, so I wouldn't really call them annoying.
BTW, I had no idea where "cabbages and kings" came from. I'm certainly a reader, although a lot of it is non-fiction, and Lewis Carroll isn't high on my preferred list. Anyway, it was interesting to know. Thanks.
