# Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin — The Idiot character guide > Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Prince Lef Nicolaievitch Muishkin, Prince Muishkin, Lef Nicolaievitch, Muishkin, the Prince Muishkin, poor Muishkin, Mr. Muishkin **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i ## Snapshot A penniless, epileptic prince returning to Russia after years in a Swiss clinic, whose startling honesty and compassion unsettle everyone he meets. ## Who they are 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. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-i) Travels to St. Petersburg, engages in conversation with Rogozhin and Lebedev, accepts Rogozhin's invitation. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Arrives at General Epanchin's house; passionately discusses the psychological torment of capital punishment with a servant; introduces himself to Gavrila Ardalionovitch. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Shows his calligraphy, accepts lodging at Gania's, and discusses Rogojin and Nastasia's portrait. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-v) Arrives at the Epanchin home, described as a beggar-like figure with fits, but displays gentle manners and philosophical insight. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Narrates the story of Marie and reflects on his childlike nature and decision to return to Russia. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Observes Nastasia's portrait with sympathy, delivers Gania's note to Aglaya, and calmly confronts Gania's insults. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-viii) The prince is a lodger in the flat, bewildered by the family's discord and shocked by Nastasia Philipovna's sudden appearance at the door. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Mistaken for a footman by Nastasia, he tries to calm Gania and reveals he recognized her from her portrait. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-x) Defends Varia from Gania's blow, receives a slap from Gania, and responds with compassion. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Retreats to his room after the scene; reconciles with Gania; shows compassion and insight into Gania's character. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xii) Seeks General Ivolgin's help to reach Nastasia Philipovna's; regrets trusting the drunken general. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Arrives at Nastasia's flat, nervous and uncertain of his purpose, but determined to warn her against marrying Gania. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Asked by Nastasia for his opinion on her marriage; he advises against it, and she accepts his decision. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Moved by compassion, he declares his love for Nastasia and offers to marry her, revealing a potential inheritance. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Proposes to Nastasia, expressing his respect and desire to care for her. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Has been absent for six months; his whereabouts and actions are mysterious, though news from Princess Bielokonski suggests he is well and making a favorable impression in Moscow. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Arrives in St. Petersburg by morning train from Moscow, troubled by a hallucination of glowing eyes; visits Lebedev's villa to inquire about Nastasya Filippovna. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Attempts to calm Rogojin's jealousy, professes pity for Nastasia, and declares he will leave if the marriage proceeds. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Visits Rogojin's house, discusses faith, exchanges crosses, and receives Rogojin's mother's blessing. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Experiences intense inner turmoil, guilt, and fear of his malady returning; visits Nastasia's house and later confronts Rogojin on the stairs. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) The subject of the 'poor knight' discussion; he is embarrassed and confused by Aglaya's speech. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Greets Evgeny; prepares to receive the group led by Burdovsky; feels self-reproach for suspecting an arranged humiliation. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-viii) The subject of the scandalous newspaper article; he is embarrassed and declares the article false. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-ix) Remains gentle and forgiving, offering tea to all despite the confrontation. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) The prince is introspective, troubled by the recent events and his own conflicting tendencies of trust and suspicion. He longs to leave but feels drawn into the intrigue. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-xii) Confronted by Lizabetha Prokofievna about his letter to Aglaya and the note forbidding his visit; defends his sincere, brotherly intentions. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Feels horror and pity upon seeing Nastasia, convinced she is mad; clarifies to Aglaya he never intended to propose. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Receives Aglaya's note, laughs off Keller's duel talk, and engages in a heated philosophical exchange with Rogojin about love and jealousy. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) The prince is cheerful, has drunk champagne, and listens with interest to Lebedev's speech, laughing heartily with the others. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-v) Attempts to dissuade Hippolyte from reading his manuscript, showing concern. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Hosts the gathering; attempts to mediate and expresses readiness to take steps to prevent Hippolyte's suicide. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Defends his past with Nastasya, admits he came back for her, and discusses Hippolyte's suicide attempt. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-ix) Calmly explains the morning meeting to Lizabetha Prokofievna, then returns home tired but happy. ### [Chapter X: The Nightmare Letters and the Midnight Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Tormented by Nastasya's letters, he reads them and is deeply affected; later he wanders to the Epanchin house and then meets Nastasya on the road. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-iii) Receives General Ivolgin with patience, offers a soothing platitude, and later questions Lebedev about the missing money. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Listens patiently to General Ivolgin's stories, responds with sincere interest and kindness, but later laughs heartily and feels pity; receives a farewell letter from the general. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Comforts Hippolyte with sincerity, discusses the difference between historical and modern men, and advises him to 'pass us by and forgive us our happiness.' ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-vi) Receives the intercepted letter from Lebedev and is warned by Aglaya about his behavior at the upcoming party. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-vii) Delivers an impassioned speech about sincerity and beauty, then suffers an epileptic seizure and collapses. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-viii) Present at the meeting, tries to mediate between Aglaya and Nastasya, ultimately stays to comfort Nastasya after Aglaya's departure. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-ix) The prince is at the center of the scandal, preparing to marry Nastasya Filippovna while still seeking Aglaya. He is described as acting strangely, possibly out of his mind, and agrees to the marriage casually while showing signs of genuine love for Nastasya. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-x) Anxiously studies Nastasia's symptoms, tries to soothe her hysterics, and is troubled by Hippolyte's warnings about Rogojin. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-xi) In a state of mental collapse, he searches desperately for Nastasia, visiting Rogojin's house repeatedly and consulting friends. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-xii) Returned to Dr. Schneider's sanatorium in Switzerland; his brain is fatally injured and he does not recognize visitors. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters/prince_myshkin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters