The Idiot · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
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Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin
major
Also known as Prince Lef Nicolaievitch Muishkin, Prince Muishkin, Lef Nicolaievitch, Muishkin, the Prince Muishkin, poor Muishkin, Mr. Muishkin
Myshkin arrives in Petersburg with a bundle and no connections, the last of a poor noble line, and is immediately mistaken for a fool by clerks and millionaires alike. His epilepsy and his years abroad have left him oddly innocent of Russian society's cruelties, yet he reads people with unnerving accuracy and refuses to condemn even those who deserve it. His arrival sets the whole plot in motion: everyone wants to use him, marry him, or test him, and no one can decide whether he is a saint or simply an idiot.
Aglaya Ivanovna Epanchin
major
Also known as Aglaya, Aglaya Ivanovna, Aglaya Epanchin, Alas Aglaya
Aglaya is the family's brilliant, capricious favorite, raised among wealth and suitors she despises, and given to cutting off her own hair just to spite her mother. She is drawn to Myshkin precisely because he is unlike the calculating men around her, yet she cannot resist mocking him and testing his sincerity. Her restless intelligence and pride make her the story's most unpredictable force, and her interest in the prince turns a social comedy into something far more dangerous.
Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova
major
Also known as Nastasia Philipovna, Nastasia Philipovna Barashkoff, Nastasia, Barashkoff, the pitiless Nastasia, Philipovna
Nastasya Filippovna was ruined young by Totsky and has spent years being passed around as a beautiful object, which has made her both magnetic and merciless. She holds men in contempt even as she craves proof that one of them might love her without a price, and her birthday party becomes the stage where she throws her fate in everyone's face. Her refusal to be simply rescued or simply bought drives the novel's central triangle and its darkest consequences.
Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin
major
Also known as Rogojin, Parfen Rogojin, Parfen, Mrs. Rogojin, the Parfen Rogojin, this Rogojin, old Mrs. Rogojin, Parfen Semionovitch, Parfen Semeonovitch
Rogozhin meets Myshkin on the train and tells him, without shame, that he ran from his father and nearly died of fever, and that he would have been murdered if he'd stayed. Newly rich and utterly without polish, he pursues Nastasya with a passion that is part worship and part violence, bidding for her in public and brooding over her in private. His raw, unmediated intensity stands as the dark mirror to Myshkin's gentleness, and their strange bond becomes one of the book's most unsettling threads.
Gavrila Ardalionovich Ivolgin
major
Also known as Gania, Both Gania, the delighted Gania, The bewildered Gania, that Gania, Seeing Gania, Gavrila Ardalionovitch, Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolgin, Gavrila, Gania—confused
Ganya is the general's secretary and the son of a blustering, half-mad father, and he has calculated his way toward marrying into the Epanchin family. Offered a payout to marry Nastasya instead, he wavers between greed and wounded pride, and his rage at being treated as a bought husband erupts in ugly scenes at home. His indecision and self-contempt make him a perfect specimen of the novel's theme: what a man will do when he believes he deserves better than he is offered.
Ivan Fyodorovich Epanchin
supporting
Also known as Ivan Fedorovitch Epanchin, Ivan Fedorovitch, General Epanchin, the general, the respectable and highly respected General Epanchin, II General Epanchin, Poor General Epanchin
Ivan Fyodorovich rose from the ranks to wealth and respectability, and he maintains his position by never seeming to push for anything, though he plays high-stakes cards and keeps his own counsel. He is genuinely fond of his wife and daughters, but his weakness for pretty women and his habit of managing everyone behind the scenes keep landing him in awkward obligations. As the patriarch who first brings Myshkin into Petersburg society, he embodies the respectable, compromised world the prince will quietly expose.
Lizaveta Prokofyevna Epanchina
supporting
Also known as Lizabetha Prokofievna, Lizabetha Prokofievna, Lizabetha, poor Lizabetha, Poor Lizabetha Prokofievna, Mrs. General Epanchin, Mrs. Epanchin, Mrs. General, Madame Epanchin, Elizabetha Prokofievna, Lizabetha Prokofievna—with
Lizaveta Prokofyevna moves through Petersburg society esteemed for her Muishkin blood and her husband's rank, but she has stopped believing in that esteem and reads mockery into every glance. Convinced her three girls are turning into eccentric Nihilists and refusing suitors only to spite her, she torments herself with the question of why they won't marry. Her restless, self-defeating love makes her the household's emotional weather, and her reactions to Myshkin will shape how the novel's central circle receives him.
Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev
supporting
Also known as Lebedeff, Mr. Lebedeff, Lukian Timofeyovitch, Lukian, Collegiate Secretary Lebedeff
Lebedev hovers at the edges of the novel's drawing rooms, a minor official whose real trade is information and access, offering rooms, rumors, and unsolicited commentary to anyone who will listen. He is at once servile and scheming, capable of genuine sentimentality and of pocketing whatever advantage the moment allows. As Myshkin's host in Pavlovsk and a fixture in the Ivolgin orbit, he embodies the petty opportunism against which the prince's guilelessness is measured.
Hippolyte Terentyev
supporting
Also known as Hippolyte, Hippolyte Terentieff, Mr. Hippolyte, this young Hippolyte, V Hippolyte, Here Hippolyte, And Hippolyte, Terentieff, Alexandrovna—helps Hippolyte
Hippolyte arrives among Myshkin's circle as a proud, terminally ill teenager, armed with radical ideas and a manuscript confession he is determined to read aloud. His bitterness at his own fading body collides with a desperate hunger for love and attention, making his long outbursts both unbearable and pitiable. He forces the novel's comfortable characters to confront death, sincerity, and the question of what a life is worth when it is nearly over.
Nikolai Ardalionovich Ivolgin
supporting
Also known as Colia, Ivolgin, XII Colia, Colia Ivolgin, Dear Colia, Poor Colia, Nicolai Ardalionovitch
Kolya shares a cramped back room with his failing father, General Ivolgin, and moves through the household as its youngest, most clear-eyed observer. He is earnest, meddlesome in the way of clever boys, and loyal to a fault, running errands and carrying messages between characters who would rather not speak to each other. His open affection for Myshkin gives the prince one of his few uncomplicated friendships, and his presence sharpens the contrast between the novel's adult schemes and its youngest witness.
Evgeny Pavlovich Radomsky
supporting
Also known as Evgenie Pavlovitch, Evgenie Pavlovitch Radomski, Evgenie, Radomski, the worthy Evgenie
Evgeny Pavlovich belongs to the same Petersburg world as the Epanchins, moving through it with the assurance of a man who has never had to scramble for position. He is drawn to Aglaya, yet his wit carries an edge of detachment, and he watches the prince's strange candor with a mixture of amusement and unease. As a rival and eventually a kind of friend, he gives the novel a worldly counterweight to Myshkin's unworldliness, testing what the prince's goodness can survive in society.
Varvara Ardalionovna Ptitsyna
supporting
Also known as Varia, Varia Ardalionovna, Varvara Ardalionovna, Varvara, Ptitsin, Varvara Ardalionovna Ptitsin, Ardalionovna
Varvara Ardalionovna has escaped the Ivolgin household into marriage, but she remains its most competent member, scheming to let lodgings and holding her volatile brother Ganya in check. She is charming without being beautiful, decisive where her mother is resigned, and clear-sighted about the humiliations her family endures. Her willingness to act as go-between among Ganya, Myshkin, and the Epanchins places her at the hinge of the novel's early social maneuverings.
Ivan Petrovich Ptitsyn
supporting
Also known as Ivan Petrovitch Ptitsin, Ptitsin, Ivan Ptitsin, Ivan Petrovitch, Mr. Ptitsin
Ptitsyn moves through the novel's Petersburg as a practical man of business, lending money to gamblers, suitors, and the perpetually broke while keeping his own counsel. He marries into the Ivolgin household, which plants him at the edge of the family's daily humiliations and schemes. His reserve makes him easy to overlook, but his willingness to fund other people's catastrophes quietly shapes how those catastrophes unfold.
Ferdyshchenko
minor
Also known as Ferdishenko, spare Ferdishenko, Mr. Ferdishenko, wretched Ferdishenko, This Ferdishenko
A vulgar hanger-on at Nastasya Filippovna's party.
Keller
minor
Also known as Keller, Mr. Keller
A disgraced boxer and minor hanger-on in Myshkin's circle.
Antip Burdovsky
minor
Also known as Mr. Burdovsky, Burdovsky, poor Mr. Burdovsky, Antip Burdovsky
A young man claiming to be Pavlishchev's son, seeking money from Myshkin.
Alexandra Ivanovna Epanchina
minor
Also known as Alexandra, Alexandra Ivanovna
The eldest Epanchin daughter, quiet and observant.
Adelaida Ivanovna Epanchina
minor
Also known as Adelaida, Adelaida Ivanovna
The middle Epanchin daughter, an artist.
Nina Alexandrovna Ivolgina
minor
Also known as Nina Alexandrovna, Nina, Nina Alexandrovna—seeing
Ganya's mother, a long-suffering woman.
Ardalion Alexandrovich Ivolgin
minor
Also known as General Ivolgin, Ivolgin, this General Ivolgin whom she had once known, old General Ivolgin, Ardalion Alexandrovitch Ivolgin, Ardalion Alexandrovitch, the Ivolgin, poor Ardalion Alexandrovitch
Ganya's alcoholic, boastful father.
Afanasy Ivanovich Totsky
minor
Also known as Afanasy Ivanovitch, Totski, Afanasy Ivanovitch Totski, Mr. Totski, the once bitten Totski
A wealthy landowner who was Nastasya's former guardian and seducer.
Vera Lebedeva
minor
Also known as Vera, Vera Lebedeff
Lebedev's kind daughter who helps Myshkin.
Marfa Borisovna
minor
Also known as Marfa Borisovna, Marfa Borisovna
Rogozhin's mother, mentioned but not seen.
Doktorenko
minor
Also known as Mr. Doktorenko, Doktorenko
A nihilist associate of Burdovsky's group.
Marie
minor
Also known as Marie, Marie Alexandrovna
A poor Swiss girl Myshkin befriended and comforted before the novel's events.
Princess Bielokonsky
minor
Also known as Princess Bielokonski, old Princess Bielokonski, Bielokonski, the Bielokonski, the Princess Bielokonski, old Bielokonski
An elderly society figure who approves of Myshkin as a match.
Nikolai Andreevich Pavlishchev
minor
Also known as Nicolai Andreevitch, Pavlicheff, Nicolai Andreevitch Pavlicheff, Mr. Pavlicheff, the late Mr. Pavlicheff
Myshkin's deceased benefactor, mentioned in the inheritance plot.
Professor Schneider
minor
Also known as Professor Schneider, Schneider, Dr. Schneider
Myshkin's Swiss doctor and mentor.
Kostya Lebedev
minor
Also known as Kostia Lebedeff, Kostia, Lebedeff
Lebedev's young son.
Mr. Terentyev
minor
Also known as Mr. Terentieff, Madame Terentieff
Hippolyte's father, mentioned but not seen.
Pyotr Matveyevich Bachmutov
minor
Also known as Bachmatoff, Peter Matveyevitch Bachmatoff, this young Bachmatoff, Peter, Poor Bachmatoff
A young officer who helps Hippolyte.
Daria Alexeyevna
minor
Also known as Daria Alexeyevna, Daria
A friend of Nastasya Filippovna.
Kislorodov
minor
Also known as Kislorodoff
A doctor attending Hippolyte.
Tchebarov
minor
Also known as Tchebaroff
A lawyer involved in Burdovsky's claim.
Zaleshov
minor
Also known as Zaleshoff
A friend of Rogozhin's.
Kapiton Eropegov
minor
Also known as some Captain Eropegoff, Captain Eropegoff, Kapiton Eropegoff, Kapiton, Eropegoff
A retired captain known to General Ivolgin.
Anfisa Alexeyevna
minor
Also known as Anfisa Alexeyevna, Anfisa
A woman mentioned in passing.
Kolpakov
minor
Also known as the Kolpakoff, Kolpakoff
A soldier whose death is recounted by General Ivolgin.
Timofey Lukyanovich
minor
Also known as Lukianovitch, Timofey Lukianovitch, Timofey
A clerk in Lebedev's office.
Mr. Salaskin
minor
Also known as a Mr. Salaskin, Salaskin
A merchant mentioned in passing.
Surikov
minor
Also known as Surikoff
A poor clerk mentioned by Lebedev.
Martha Nikitishna
minor
Also known as Martha, Martha Nikitishna, dear old Martha
An old servant in the Epanchin household.
Anisya
minor
Also known as Anisia
Rogozhin's housekeeper.
Nikifor
minor
Also known as Nikifor
A servant in the Epanchin house.
Dana Alexeyevna
minor
Also known as Dana, Dana Alexeyevna
A woman mentioned in passing.
Katya
minor
Also known as XV Katia, Katia
A maid in the Epanchin household.
Platon Ordynstev
minor
Also known as Platon Ordintzeff, Platon, The wretched Platon
A minor character mentioned in a story.
Madame Filisov
minor
Also known as Madame Filisoff
A woman mentioned in passing.
Wilkin
minor
Also known as Wilkin
A friend of Rogozhin's.
Moloftsev
minor
Also known as young Lieutenant Moloftsoff, Moloftsoff
A young officer briefly mentioned.
Pyotr Volkhovsky
minor
Also known as Poor Peter Volhofskoi, Peter, poor Peter
A minor character mentioned in passing.
General Sokolovich
minor
Also known as General Sokolovitch, Sokolovitch, the Sokolovitch
A general mentioned in passing.
Prince N
minor
Also known as Prince N—, Prince
A society prince mentioned in passing.
Prince S
minor
Also known as Prince S—, Prince
A society prince mentioned in passing.
Doctor B
minor
Also known as Dr. B—, Doctor B—, B—
A doctor attending Myshkin in Switzerland.
Charasse
minor
Also known as Charasse
A Frenchman mentioned in passing.
Paparchin
minor
Also known as Paparchin
A name mentioned in passing.
Timofey Fyodorovich Vyazovkin
minor
Also known as Timofei Fedorovitch Viazovkin
A clerk mentioned in passing.
Eroshka Eropegov
minor
Also known as Eroshka, Eroshka Eropegoff, Eropegoff
A retired soldier known to General Ivolgin.
Prince Nikolai Lvovich
minor
Also known as Nicolai Lvovitch, Lvovitch, Prince Nicolai Lvovitch, Prince
A prince mentioned in passing.
Abbot Pafnuty
minor
Also known as The gentle Abbot Pafnúte, Abbot Pafnúte, Pafnúte, The Abbot Pafnúte
A historical abbot mentioned by General Ivolgin.
Madame Terentyeva
minor
Also known as Madame Terentieff
Hippolyte's mother.
Meyers
minor
Also known as Meyer
A German friend of Myshkin's from Switzerland.
