# Hippolyte Terentyev — The Idiot character guide

> Hippolyte Terentyev in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hippolyte, Hippolyte Terentieff, Mr. Hippolyte, this young Hippolyte, V Hippolyte, Here Hippolyte, And Hippolyte, Terentieff, Alexandrovna—helps Hippolyte

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-iii

## Snapshot

A consumptive young nihilist who knows he is dying and cannot decide whether to rage against the world or beg it for one last look of recognition.

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Mentioned as being ill in bed at Madame Terentieff's; Colia keeps him company.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Trembles with rage at the general's insulting remark about the author.

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

Calmly defends himself, speaks of his impending death, and asks to spend the evening with the company.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-x)

In a feverish, agitated state, he delivers bitter accusations against the company, mocking their concern for appearances and defending Burdovsky's love for his mother.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Hippolyte is fast asleep on the sofa, drawing Evgenie Pavlovitch's hostile attention.

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

Reveals his terminal illness, recounts a nightmare, and prepares to read his manuscript.

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

Narrates his experiences, including his visit to the poor medical man and his encounter with Rogojin's painting.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-vii)

Reads his 'Explanation' manuscript announcing his intention to commit suicide at sunrise; becomes agitated and defiant when mocked by the guests.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-viii)

His failed suicide attempt is recounted; Aglaya suspects he did it for her attention.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-ix)

Asleep after his dramatic night; Colia speaks of his philosophical ideas and strength of will.

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

Mentioned as a gossip who may have told Nina Alexandrovna about the general's theft; enters with the group.

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

Confronts Gania, accusing him of being the incarnation of commonplaceness, and reveals his hatred for him.

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

Mentioned as having quarreled with the general and as a possible source of information about the general's actions.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-v)

Engages in a deep, emotional conversation with the prince about his confession, death, and the historical figures Gleboff and Osterman, revealing his sensitivity and pride.

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

Hippolyte tells the prince the story about Gania and the candle, and declares that he thinks the prince is out of his mind.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-x)

Sarcastic and malicious about the wedding; warns the prince to beware of Rogojin and suggests Rogojin might murder Aglaya.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-xii)

Died in great agitation about a fortnight after Nastasia Philipovna's death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters/hippolyte_terentyev
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters