# Captain Osadchi — The Duel character guide

> Captain Osadchi in The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Osadchi, Osadchi—the

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A taciturn, brutal company commander whose sudden speeches glorify slaughter with a fervor that silences the mess.

## Who they are

Osadchi usually keeps to himself, but at the officers' picnic he erupts into a vision of war as blood, fire, and hanged men, toasting the 'joyful, bloody cruelty of old times.' His coldness toward Romashov is personal and unexplained, and his presence makes the regiment's violence feel less like ritual and more like appetite. He is the garrison's darkest mirror, showing what the code of honor looks like when the mask comes off.

## Relationships

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Osadchi is a harsh, domineering officer who despises Romashov's weakness and represents the brutal military system.

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Osadchi is a harsh, domineering officer who despises Romashov's weakness and represents the brutal military system.

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Osadchi is a harsh, domineering officer who despises Romashov's weakness and represents the brutal military system.

## In the story

### [Chapter VIII: The Officers' Mess Ball and the Duel Debate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/viii)

Osadchi dominates the duel debate with his powerful voice, arguing that duels must end in death to avoid farce. His presence unnerves Romashov, who senses something cruel and beastly in him.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/ix)

Seen in the dining-room during the gambling scene.

### [Chapter XI: The Name-Day Invitation and the Visit to Colonel Brehm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xi)

Considered by Romashov as a potential lender but rejected due to his brutal expression.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xii)

Present at the gathering; shouts the command to start the cavalcade.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Delivers a ferocious speech glorifying the bloody cruelty of medieval warfare, shocking the company.

### [Chapter XVIII: The Orgies and the Intervention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xviii)

Osadchi is the instigator and high-priest of the orgies following the suicide, organizing reckless gambling and drinking, and cynically insulting the memory of the deceased soldier.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xix)

Osadchi is a central figure in the drunken revelry, bellowing for songs and leading the blasphemous parody of the Mass. He also scolds Staff-Captain Lieschtschenko for singing poorly.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xx)

A member of the court and Romashov's enemy; questions Romashov about his whereabouts before the mess incident.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxi)

Cited by Nasanski as an example of a martinet who knocks out teeth and eyes of recruits with impunity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/captain_osadchi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters