# Captain Lebyadkin — Demons character guide

> Captain Lebyadkin in Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Lebyadkin, Lebyadkin, Ignat Lebyadkin, this Lebyadkin

**First appearance:** 0001-demons

## Snapshot

A drunken, boastful retired captain who clings to a shabby gentility and hints darkly at a secret involving Stavrogin that he is too afraid to tell.

## Who they are

Captain Lebyadkin is a disgraced former officer living in squalid circumstances with his sister Marya Timofeyevna, surviving on borrowed money and self-aggrandizing monologues. He claims to possess a secret about Stavrogin's past, a claim that makes him both a nuisance and a potential threat to the powerful men who would prefer him silent. His drunken bravado and pathetic dignity mask a genuine fear, and his presence in the novel keeps a buried history alive that others are desperate to forget.

## In the story

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-viii)

A dubious character who lives at Virginsky's expense after becoming the preferred partner of Virginsky's wife; later disappears from town.

### [III: The Sins of Others](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-sins-of-others)

Drunkenly encounters the narrator at the gate, boasting of his education and reciting a poem.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Mentioned as abusing his sister Marya Timofyevna with a whip and having mysterious funds.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Mentioned as having received money from Stavrogin and spreading rumors about a young lady stealing seven hundred roubles.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-viii)

Kirillov dismisses the morning's unpleasantness as nonsense because Lebyadkin was drunk.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

Drunk and recites verses to Lizaveta Nikolaevna, claims to be a knight and soul of honor.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Author of a drunken, threatening letter to Liza; lives near Shatov.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Mentioned as absent; his violence and neglect of his sister are noted, and he is expected to return.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Lebyadkin arrives drunk, bangs on the door, recites poetry, and hints at a secret about Marya Timofyevna before retreating.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Visits Varvara Petrovna's drawing-room, recites his poem 'The Cockroach,' and behaves erratically, hinting at secrets about his sister.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Confronted by Pyotr Verhovensky, admits to exploiting his sister and threatening Stavrogin, then collapses in submission before Stavrogin's arrival.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Mentioned as possibly spying on Shatov for the society.

### [II: Night (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-night-continued)

The nervous and obsequious host who recites his poem 'In Case She Were to Break Her Leg' and pleads for financial help.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Acts as a buffoon, recites his poem 'In Case She Were to Break Her Leg,' and pleads for money while confessing his revolutionary activities and fear of Pyotr Verhovensky.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Mentioned as having romanced about Marya Timofyevna dressing up; he holds her back as she shouts after Stavrogin.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Mentioned by Fedka as a drunkard who left his door open and talked about Stavrogin in taverns.

### [VIII: Ivan the Tsarevitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-ivan-the-tsarevitch)

Referenced as the author of the anonymous threatening letter; Verhovensky wants to bribe him to leave town.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Drunken captain who appears on stage in a dress-coat, later revealed as the poem's author.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/characters/lebyadkin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/characters