# The Soldier — Russian Folktales character guide

> The Soldier in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0025-the-soldier-and-death

## Snapshot

A scruffy, unshaven soldier who bargains with devils, serves fifteen years without grooming, and walks away with a tsarévna and a new body.

## Who they are

The soldier is the underdog who wins by refusing to flinch: his portrait is monstrous, his manners worse, and the tsar's elder daughters would rather wed the Devil than him. Bound to a little devil for fifteen years, he never once shaves, cuts his hair, or wipes his nose, and his captor is punished for failing to corrupt him. His triumph is the tale's engine, proving that stubbornness, not polish, is what defeats hell.

## Relationships

### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich)

_friendship_

The Soldier is a loyal companion and helper to Iván, often providing practical advice and aid.

### [The Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_devil)

_rivalry_

The Devil and the Soldier are locked in a cunning battle of wits, with the Soldier often outsmarting him.

### [The Tsar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_tsar)

_professional_

The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions.

### [The Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_devil)

_rivalry_

The Devil and the Soldier are locked in a cunning battle of wits, with the Soldier often outsmarting him.

### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich)

_friendship_

The Soldier is a loyal companion and helper to Iván, often providing practical advice and aid.

### [Iván Tsarévich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/ivan_tsarevich)

_friendship_

The Soldier is a loyal companion and helper to Iván, often providing practical advice and aid.

### [The Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_devil)

_rivalry_

The Devil and the Soldier are locked in a cunning battle of wits, with the Soldier often outsmarting him.

### [The Tsar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_tsar)

_professional_

The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions.

### [The Tsar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_tsar)

_professional_

The Soldier serves the Tsar, often carrying out orders or being sent on dangerous missions.

## In the story

### [A Tale of the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/a-tale-of-the-dead)

A discharged state servant who bravely confronts the undead sorcerer, revives the bridal couple, and destroys the wizard.

### [The Soldier and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-death)

A discharged soldier who outwits devils, traps Death, and becomes an enchanter.

### [The Soldier and the Tsar in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-soldier-and-the-tsar-in-the-forest)

A runaway soldier who deserts after being punished by his general brother. He shows bravery and resourcefulness in the forest, protecting the Tsar and killing the robbers.

### [The Realm of Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-realm-of-stone)

A long-serving soldier who deserts after being mistreated, then becomes a sentry in the king's garden. He bravely follows the giant bird into the underworld and breaks the stone curse by reading a book through three nights of torment.

### [Never-Wash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/never-wash)

A retired soldier who makes a pact with a devil, serving fifteen years without washing or grooming, and eventually marries the youngest tsarévna.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/the_soldier
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters