# Samoylenko — The Duel character guide > Samoylenko in The Duel by Anton Chekhov. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dr. Samoylenko **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A warm-hearted military doctor who tries to patch up everyone's quarrels and cannot sleep the night before a duel he never wanted. ## Who they are Samoylenko moves between Laevsky and Von Koren as friend, physician, and reluctant second, wounded by Laevsky's outburst yet still scheming to reconcile the two before pistols are raised. He believes duels are medieval barbarism and that Providence might turn this one into a friendship, a hope that reveals more about his generous nature than about the men he's defending. His sleeplessness and his fussing over the punishment for duelling make him the story's moral barometer—decent, flustered, and quietly heartbroken. ## Relationships ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _friendship_ Samoylenko is Laevsky's loyal, protective friend who often mediates and tries to help him out of trouble. ### [Von Koren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/von_koren) _friendship_ Samoylenko and Von Koren are friends despite frequent arguments, with Samoylenko often acting as a peacemaker between Von Koren and Laevsky. ### [Nadyezhda Fyodorovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/nadyezhda_fyodorovna) _friendship_ Samoylenko is kind and protective toward Nadyezhda, treating her with paternal concern. ### [Alexandr Daviditch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/alexandr_daviditch) _friendship_ Alexandr Daviditch and Samoylenko are close friends who enjoy each other's company and share social circles. ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _friendship_ Samoylenko is Laevsky's loyal, protective friend who often mediates and tries to help him out of trouble. ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _friendship_ Samoylenko is Laevsky's loyal, protective friend who often mediates and tries to help him out of trouble. ### [Nadyezhda Fyodorovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/nadyezhda_fyodorovna) _friendship_ Samoylenko is kind and protective toward Nadyezhda, treating her with paternal concern. ### [Alexandr Daviditch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/alexandr_daviditch) _friendship_ Alexandr Daviditch and Samoylenko are close friends who enjoy each other's company and share social circles. ### [Von Koren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/von_koren) _friendship_ Samoylenko and Von Koren are friends despite frequent arguments, with Samoylenko often acting as a peacemaker between Von Koren and Laevsky. ### [Von Koren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/von_koren) _friendship_ Samoylenko and Von Koren are friends despite frequent arguments, with Samoylenko often acting as a peacemaker between Von Koren and Laevsky. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/i) Listens to Laevsky's confessions, urges him to marry Nadyezhda Fyodorovna, and later walks proudly along the boulevard. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/ii) Samoylenko is mentioned as having prescribed quinine for Nadyezhda's fever and as someone Laevsky considers consulting about his escape plans. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/iii) Hosts the dinner, defends Laevsky with pity, and tries to change the subject when Von Koren attacks him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/iv) Defends Laevsky but is shocked by Von Koren's extreme proposals; later grows drowsy in the garden. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/vi) Organizes the picnic, shouts commands, and fusses over the fire and cooking. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/viii) Defends Nadyezhda as a 'splendid woman' and questions Von Koren's harsh views, asking if he could personally destroy Laevsky. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/ix) Awakened by Laevsky, he listens to his plea, agrees to borrow money, and shares wine while urging reconciliation with Von Koren. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/x) Examines Nadyezhda, prescribes medicine; confesses he can only raise 110 roubles for Laevsky, promising to try for more by Saturday. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xi) Visits Von Koren to borrow money for Laevsky, defends his friend, and eventually accepts the loan with conditions. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xii) Reluctantly confronts Laevsky about taking Nadyezhda, refuses to give money unless Laevsky includes her in his escape plan. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xiii) Attends to Laevsky during his hysterics, reassuring him that it happens. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xv) Hosts Laevsky and Von Koren, attempts to mediate the conflict, and is emotionally affected by the duel challenge. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xvi) Anxiously prepares for the duel, walks the boulevard hoping to meet Laevsky to apologize, and expresses regret over the quarrel. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xvii) Referenced as someone whose kindness cannot save Laevsky. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xviii) Recalled by the deacon as looking absurd yesterday, breaking the thread of his thoughts. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xxi) Accompanies Von Koren to the harbor, expresses concern about the stormy weather, and later speaks of Laevsky's hard work. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/samoylenko - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters