Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Character Analysis in The Idiot

Prince Myshkin is the central character, and the novel’s eponymous “idiot.” Myshkin is 26 years old at the time the novel begins, and is described as having blond hair and blue eyes with a “quiet but heavy” gaze. He suffers from epilepsy and returns to Russia after spending almost five years being treated by Professor Schneider in a Swiss institution. Profoundly good, innocent, and morally “perfect,” Myshkin charms almost everyone but nonetheless struggles to abide by the social customs that dictate life back in Russia. He is often misunderstood and taken advantage of by those around him due to his childlike innocence and naïveté. Rather than recognizing his upright morality as a marker of wisdom, characters (including Ganya, Aglaya, and Mrs. Epanchin) mistake this quality as foolishness and write him off as an “idiot” whenever he makes a mistake. A Christ figure, Myshkin practices a form of Christianity based on humility, forgiveness, and love. He becomes very close to several of the characters in the novel as they are drawn to his pure spirit, including the Epanchin family, to whom Myshkin is distantly related and goes to stay with after he returns from Switzerland. Early on, he finds out that he is set to inherent 1.5 million roubles (which eventually falls through), a revelation that causes others to be even more drawn to him. Myshkin develops a special connection with Aglaya Epanchin, to whom he briefly and informally gets engaged, although she calls it off. Myshkin is also twice engaged to Nastasya, a woman who scares him with her scheming and brazen social nonconformity, but whom he nonetheless has a desire to love and protect from those who try to take advantage of her. When Nastasya leaves Myshkin at the altar to run away with Rogozhin, Rogozhin ends up murdering her. As a result of this shock, Myshkin suffers a relapse of his illness. At the end of the novel he returns to the Swiss asylum, where Schneider declares that his condition is likely incurable.

Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Quotes in The Idiot

The The Idiot quotes below are all either spoken by Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin or refer to Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“And are you a great fancier of the female sex, Prince? Tell me beforehand!”

“N -n-no! I ’m . . . Maybe you don’t know, but because of my inborn illness, I don’t know women at all.”

“Well, in that case,” Rogozhin exclaimed, “you come out as a holy fool, Prince, and God loves your kind!”

Related Characters: Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin (speaker), Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 15

Explanation and Analysis:

“He told me he was fully convinced that I was a perfect child myself, that is, fully a child, that I resembled an adult only in size and looks, but in development, soul, character, and perhaps even mind, I was not an adult, and I would stay that way even if I lived to be sixty. I laughed very much: he wasn’t right, of course, because what’s little about me? But one thing is true, that I really don’t like being with adults, with people, with grown-ups—and I noticed that long ago—I don’t like it because I don’t know how.”

Related Characters: Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin (speaker), Professor Schneider

Page Number and Citation: 74

Explanation and Analysis:

“Maybe I’ll be considered a child here, too—so be it! Everybody also considers me an idiot for some reason, and in fact I was once so ill that I was like an idiot; but what sort of idiot am I now, when I myself understand that I’m considered an idiot? I come in and think: ‘They consider me an idiot, but I’m intelligent all the same, and they don’t even suspect it . . .’ I often have that thought.”

Related Characters: Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 75

Explanation and Analysis:

“Yes, Prince, you must be given credit, you’re so good at exploiting your . . . hm, sickness (to put it decently); you managed to offer your friendship and money in such a clever form that it is now quite impossible for a noble man to accept them. It’s either all too innocent, or all too clever . . . you, however, know which.”

Related Characters: Vladimir Doktorenko (speaker), Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin

Page Number and Citation: 282

Explanation and Analysis:

“Well, see how you throw a man into a final flummox! For pity’s sake, Prince: first such simple-heartedness, such innocence as even the golden age never heard of, then suddenly at the same time you pierce a man through like an arrow with this deepest psychology of observation. But excuse me, Prince, this calls for an explanation, because I . . . I’m simply confounded! Naturally, in the final end my aim was to borrow money, but you asked me about money as if you don’t find anything reprehensible in it, as if that’s how it should be?”

Related Characters: Keller (speaker), Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin

Page Number and Citation: 309

Explanation and Analysis:

He is either a doctor or indeed of an extraordinary intelligence and able to guess a great many things. (But that he is ultimately an “idiot” there can be no doubt at all.)

Related Characters: Ippolit Terentyev (speaker), Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin

Page Number and Citation: 389

Explanation and Analysis:

“I want to be brave and not afraid of anything. I don’t want to go to their balls, I want to be useful. I wanted to leave long ago. They’ve kept me bottled up for twenty years, and they all want to get me married. When I was fourteen I already thought of running away, though I was a fool. Now I have it all worked out and was waiting for you, to ask you all about life abroad.”

Related Characters: Aglaya Ivanovna Epanchin (speaker), Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin

Page Number and Citation: 429

Explanation and Analysis:

How did she dare write to her, he asked, wandering alone in the evening (sometimes not even remembering himself where he was walking). How could she write about that, and how could such an insane dream have been born in her head?

Related Characters: Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin, Nastasya Filippovna Barashkov, Aglaya Ivanovna Epanchin

Page Number and Citation: 452

Explanation and Analysis:

“The pope seized land, an earthly throne, and took up the sword; since then everything has gone on that way, only to the sword they added lies, trickery, deceit, fanaticism, superstition, villainy; they played upon the most holy, truthful, simple-hearted, ardent feelings of the people; they traded everything, everything, for money, for base earthly power. Isn’t that the teaching of the Antichrist?! How could atheism not come out of them? Atheism came out of them, out of Roman Catholicism itself! Atheism began, before all else, with them themselves: could they believe in themselves?”

Related Characters: Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 544

Explanation and Analysis:

Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Character Timeline in The Idiot

The timeline below shows where the character Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin appears in The Idiot. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Social Hierarchy, Authority, and Rebellion Theme Icon

...as a profession. The blond man introduces himself to the clerk as Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin, and the clerk responds that he has never even heard of this name. The prince... (full context)

...train pulls into the station, Rogozhin confesses that although he doesn’t know why, he “loves” Myshkin, and says he hopes that Myshkin will come and see him. He promises to buy... (full context)

When Myshkin arrives at Epanchins’ house, a servant shows him into an anteroom where he is greeted... (full context)

The valet remains disturbed that Myshkin is sharing details of his life as if they were equals; he believes that Myshkin... (full context)

Passion, Violence, and Christianity Theme Icon

Myshkin explains that he has not spent much time in St. Petersburg until now. He mentions... (full context)

...comments that it’s good the guillotine is a swift and painless way to die, but Myshkin replies that the suffering of knowing for certain that one is about to die is... (full context)

...anteroom; it is Gavrila Ardalionovich (known as Ganya), an extremely handsome 28-year-old. The valet introduces Myshkin to Ganya, doing so half in a whisper so Myshkin can’t hear what he is... (full context)

Myshkin tells General Epanchin that he doesn’t have any specific business to discuss; rather, he has... (full context)

General Epanchin is surprised to learn that Myshkin is 26 and not younger, and Myshkin replies that many people say he has a... (full context)

Myshkin proceeds to explain his life story to General Epanchin. Orphaned as a child, his illness... (full context)

General Epanchin checks that Myshkin has received some education and that he can read and write without errors; Myshkin assures... (full context)

Prince Myshkin, meanwhile, looks at the photo of Nastasya and remarks on her beauty. Based on the... (full context)

General Epanchin exclaims that the sentence Prince Myshkin has written on the paper he’s been given is a “model” example of calligraphy. The... (full context)

Ganya confirms that Myshkin would be welcome with his family. General Epanchin expresses dislike of their other lodger, Ferdyshchenko,... (full context)

...on the matter, he is desperate to avoid going to Nastasya’s party, and has decided Myshkin is the perfect excuse. (full context)

...a pauper relying on the charity of others. Yet the general also tells her that Myshkin is “a perfect child,” who is pitiful due to his illness and poverty. After some... (full context)

Mrs. Epanchin sits Myshkin opposite her and asks if he needs a napkin tied around his neck; he assures... (full context)

...she’s “not as stupid as I seem.” She asks to hear more about Switzerland, and Myshkin explains that he found the natural landscape very beautiful, but that he also always feels... (full context)

Aglaya comments that Myshkin is similar to Evlampia Nikolavna, an official’s wife who renounces material goods and lives as... (full context)

...came to hope that the firing squad would just hurry up and kill him already. Myshkin seems to conclude his story, leaving the Epanchin women confused. He then explains that although... (full context)

Myshkin goes on to explain that he has personally witnessed an execution. He admits that he... (full context)

Thinking aloud, Myshkin imagines the exact details of the period leading up to an execution, including the final... (full context)

Myshkin tells the Epanchin women that throughout his time in Switzerland, he taught children. He angered... (full context)

Myshkin wanted to help Marie, and thus sold a diamond pin he owned and gave Marie... (full context)

...dying. Despite her weakness, whenever the children came to visit her she would become overjoyed. Myshkin explains that thanks to the children, Marie “died almost happy.” At her funeral, the children... (full context)

Myshkin calls the children his “comrades,” and says that they always made him happy. He was... (full context)

Suddenly, Myshkin switches to describing the face of each Epanchin woman. He notes that Adelaida has a... (full context)

Mrs. Epanchin agrees with Myshkin’s remark that she is a child. She observes that Myshkin might be smarter than all... (full context)

When Myshkin returns to Ganya’s office and tells him about his conversation with the Epanchin women, Ganya... (full context)

Myshkin finds Aglaya alone in the doorway to the dining room and gives her Ganya’s note.... (full context)

While they are leaving, Ganya furiously accuses Myshkin of telling the Epanchin women he was getting married, and calls Myshkin “a shameless blabber.”... (full context)

...Aglaya’s pity for love. Ever since, he has been trying to “trap” her. She asks Myshkin to give Ganya’s note back to him, but warns him that Ganya will not forgive... (full context)

Myshkin tells Ganya everything that has happened in the two hours since he first met the... (full context)

...through giving out short-term loans and is one of Ganya’s best friends. Ganya briskly introduces Myshkin to everyone, and Kolya proceeds to ask the prince a series of friendly questions about... (full context)

Alone again, Ganya asks Myshkin not to “blab” about what happened with Aglaya. Myshkin, annoyed, assures him that he won’t.... (full context)

...vodka. He introduces himself as General Ivolgin and mentions that he was childhood friends with Myshkin’s father, and even held Myshkin as a baby. Ivolgin says he and Myshkin’s father studied... (full context)

As Myshkin goes, Ivolgin mentions that it is humiliating that they have to have tenants, and mentions... (full context)

...reluctantly abandons his storytelling to leave. Nina explains that Ivolgin eats by himself, and asks Myshkin that she never give any rent money to her husband, only to her. At that... (full context)

Myshkin tries to sneak away, but Ganya sees him and yells at him. Myshkin says nothing... (full context)

...again interrupts by laughing at Ganya’s comically horrified expression. Also noticing Ganya’s look of horror, Myshkin quietly tells him to drink some water and stop staring. Furious, Ganya grabs Myshkin and... (full context)

Nastasya asks Myshkin why he didn’t correct her mistake, and how he knew who she was. Myshkin explains... (full context)

General Ivolgin tells Nastasya that he, General Epanchin, and Myshkin’s father used to be best friends, an “inseparable” trio. He tells a story about a... (full context)

...Varya away, but she spits in his face. Ganya then tries to strike her, but Myshkin steps in between them and gets slapped instead. Everyone is shocked. Kolya embraces Myshkin, and... (full context)

Prince Myshkin immediately goes to his room, and Kolya follows him. Kolya comments on Nastasya’s beauty and... (full context)

Varya leaves, and Myshkin observes that Ganya should be careful if he’s just marrying Nastasya for money. This is... (full context)

Myshkin comments that while he earlier he thought Ganya was a “scoundrel,” but that he now... (full context)

...when he is rich he will be “original” because money actually creates talent. He asks Myshkin if he is in love with Nastasya, but Myshkin replies that he only likes her.... (full context)

Kolya takes Myshkin to a café and billiard parlor called Liteinaya. On seeing Myshkin, General Ivolgin tries to... (full context)

...mentions the 13 bullets that are supposedly lodged in his chest. He insists on taking Myshkin to General Sokolovich’s place, but once there Myshkin realizes that they’ve gone to someone else’s... (full context)

...for stealing from her. Ivolgin apologizes and hands her 25 roubles, while introducing her to Myshkin. He then announces that he feels weak, lies down, and falls asleep. Myshkin asks Kolya... (full context)

Kolya is shocked to learn that Myshkin plans to go to Nastasya’s party dressed as he is. He then talks about the... (full context)

As he walks up to the stairs, Myshkin is afraid of being laughed out of Nastasya’s apartment. He has come because he wants... (full context)

To Myshkin’s surprise, Nastasya’s maid does not seem remotely disturbed by his appearance and brings him inside.... (full context)

...actress of about 40 (Darya), and an astonishingly beautiful, seemingly very rich young woman. When Myshkin arrives, everyone is pleasantly surprised if a little confused, including Nastasya, who greets him enthusiastically.... (full context)

Quietly, Nastasya tells Myshkin that she regrets having not invited him and is glad he came anyway. Myshkin tells... (full context)

...and that after she tells her story they will stop playing. Suddenly, she turns to Myshkin and asks him if she should marry Ganya. There is a long pause, before Myshkin... (full context)

...the 100,000 roubles on the table. He then sits down and is shocked to see Myshkin standing there among the guests. Nastasya announces to everyone that there are 100,000 roubles lying... (full context)

Nastasya mocks Myshkin and his kindness toward her, but he replies by saying that she has endured great... (full context)

After a long pause, Ptitsyn confirms the letter’s veracity. Everyone gasps. Ptitsyn explains that Myshkin’s inheritance comes via his late aunt, who spent most of her life in poverty until,... (full context)

...is a princess after all. She asks that someone bring champagne to toast her and Myshkin. Nastasya asks Myshkin if he’ll be ashamed that his wife almost married Rogozhin, or that... (full context)

Nastasya rebukes Rogozhin, saying it’s still her who’s in control. She tells Myshkin that it’s better this way. She used to dream of marrying someone “kind, honest, [and]... (full context)

A couple of days after Nastasya’s party, Myshkin goes to Moscow to claim his inheritance. He stays there for six months, and those... (full context)

In the early hours of the morning after Nastasya’s party, Ganya gave Myshkin the packet of money and begged him to return it to Nastasya on his behalf.... (full context)

From Belokonsky, the Epanchin women learn that while Myshkin did receive his inheritance, it was not nearly as much as it had originally appeared.... (full context)

After Myshkin left, Kolya initially kept going about his life as usual. Ferdyshchenko disappeared. After Varya got... (full context)

Kolya once gave Aglaya a short, pleading note from Myshkin, in which he told her he needed her and that he was desperate to know... (full context)

...June, the Epanchins depart for their dacha in Pavlovsk. Only a day or so later, Myshkin arrives back in St. Petersburg. He has a different wardrobe now, one made up of... (full context)

...same speech every day. This young man, Lebedev’s nephew, observes that the visitor must be Myshkin, whom he’s heard about from Kolya. Kolya says Myshkin is the most intelligent person in... (full context)

Myshkin asks for the nephew’s name, and he replies that it’s Timofei Lukyanovich (Doktorenko). Myshkin says... (full context)

Lebedev continues to tell somewhat fantastical stories and Myshkin eventually gets up to leave, saying he doesn’t feel well after his journey. Lebedev says... (full context)

Myshkin wants to go to the Epanchins’ house, even though he knows that the only person... (full context)

Rogozhin says castrates used to live in the house. Myshkin notices a portrait of Rogozhin’s father and asks if he was an Old Believer. Rogozhin... (full context)

...she gave it to her maid. During one argument, he “beat her black and blue.” Myshkin is shocked to hear this. Rogozhin says he then threatened to kill himself if she... (full context)

...she wasn’t trying to stop their marriage altogether, but just wanted a little more time. Myshkin observes that it would be better for Nastasya to marry anyone except Rogozhin, “because you... (full context)

...ever be peaceful. Growing increasingly angry, he says that Nastasya is in love with someone else—Myshkin—but will not marry him because she thinks that doing so would “ruin” him. Myshkin notices... (full context)

Rogozhin walks Myshkin through the house to leave, and on the way stops in a room full of... (full context)

Myshkin agrees to swap crosses, saying that this will make them “brothers.” Rogozhin then takes him... (full context)

Myshkin then goes looking for Kolya, who has likely already left for Pavlovsk. Having failed to... (full context)

Myshkin hurries away from the shop and thinks about his illness. Just before having a fit,... (full context)

Myshkin turns back on himself, unable to decide in which direction to walk. His dark thoughts... (full context)

Back in his hotel, Myshkin keeps seeing dark flashes of a man who seems to be following him. He sees... (full context)

Kolya, who had waiting for Myshkin at the hotel, comes over after hearing all the noise. He arranges for Myshkin to... (full context)

Lebedev’s dacha is small but pretty. Though he looks fine again, Myshkin is very weak, and is happy to be there. He is grateful that Lebedev’s family... (full context)

...arrive from the other side of the terrace. The Epanchins only very recently learned that Myshkin was in Pavlovsk, and eagerly awaited his visit. When he did not come to visit... (full context)

When Prince Shch. heard that the Epanchin girls were going to visit Myshkin, he decided to join, too. He’d heard many good things about the prince from the... (full context)

Mrs. Epanchin seems rather horrified that Myshkin is staying at Lebedev’s, and offers for him to come and stay at her family’s... (full context)

...Ganya leaves, Mrs. Epanchin says that he she hardly recognized him, but is suspicious of Myshkin’s assertion that he’s doing better. Kolya mentions the “poor knight” and Don Quixote, which Aglaya... (full context)

...handsome, with dark, witty eyes. Aglaya ignores both of them and recites the poem anyway. Myshkin correctly guesses that the young man is Evgeny. Aglaya, meanwhile, gives a grave and dramatic... (full context)

...the new guest is introduced, Evgeny announces that he is temporarily resigning from the military. Myshkin feels uneasy. Evgeny brings up Pushkin again, and Vera soon appears holding the Lebedev family’s... (full context)

Everyone is caught up in the conversation now, and Aglaya warns Myshkin that he should speak to the men now, because they are trying to “besmirch” him.... (full context)

Myshkin tells the four men that he was not expecting to see them, that he has... (full context)

The article describes an unnamed man, obviously Myshkin, returning to Russia from Switzerland, where he was being treated for “idiocy.” It states that... (full context)

...as if he was his stepfather’s own child. The article raises the question of what Myshkin should do with this information. It suggests that surely Myshkin should give the son the... (full context)

...seem to be unhappy. General Epanchin grumbles that the article was written by imbeciles. Finally, Myshkin speaks, saying that he doesn’t “mind” the article, but adds that whoever wrote it must... (full context)

Burdovsky repeats the word “demand,” turning bright red. Although Lebedev supports Myshkin in this whole affair, he feels a bit of “family pride” after Doktorenko’s speech. When... (full context)

Myshkin objects less to how he was portrayed in the article, and more about the “slander”... (full context)

Myshkin goes on to explain that the article’s claim that he inherited millions is false; in... (full context)

Despite his conviction that Burdovsky is not Pavlishchev’s son, Myshkin will give him the 10,000 roubles anyway, as he had been planning to use this... (full context)

At Myshkin’s request, Ganya takes over the negotiations. He begins by pointing out that Burdovsky has lied... (full context)

Myshkin, now quite distraught, says he is to blame for everything. At this point the Epanchin... (full context)

...she was an “eccentric woman,” and had thus hoped to meet her. Prompted by Ippolit, Myshkin invites everyone to stay for tea, and the scene unexpectedly becomes quite friendly and pleasant. (full context)

During the conversation over tea, Mrs. Epanchin tells Myshkin that she’s just heard Lebedev “corrected” the article about him. Lebedev admits it’s true, explaining... (full context)

The group discusses what should be done with Ippolit, and Myshkin offers for him and his friends to stay at Lebedev’s. Now Mrs. Epanchin demands to... (full context)

...you tomorrow!” Evgeny claims to have no idea who he is, and goes back to Myshkin to ask for an explanation. However, the prince weakly assures him that he doesn’t know... (full context)

Myshkin spends the next three days glumly reflecting on what happened during his disastrous soiree. The... (full context)

Prince Shch. was hoping Myshkin would have some insight, but Myshkin admits he doesn’t. He and Adelaida depart. Myshkin is... (full context)

Now alone, Myshkin is troubled by this news. That evening, Keller comes to Lebedev’s house, wanting to tell... (full context)

Keller says he is shocked that anyone calls Myshkin an idiot. Lebedev enters, and Myshkin asks him about his involvement in the whole affair... (full context)

Myshkin observes that perhaps these stories indicate that Ganya’s hopes of marrying Aglaya may be fulfilled... (full context)

The next morning Myshkin goes to St. Petersburg, but is back in Pavlovsk by late afternoon. He runs into... (full context)

...after the soiree, Mrs. Epanchin comes to the terrace of Lebedev’s house and immediately tells Myshkin that she has not come to ask for forgiveness because he is entirely to blame.... (full context)

Mrs. Epanchin then makes Myshkin promise he’s not married to “that one” (Nastasya). Finally satisfied, she tells Myshkin that Aglaya... (full context)

Mrs. Epanchin tells Myshkin she’s sure he begged Burdovsky to accept the 10,000 roubles, which Myshkin promises he didn’t.... (full context)

...been discussing how beautiful and charming Aglaya is. Yet Mrs. Epanchin remains seriously worried that Myshkin is going to ruin everything. (full context)

...“being in touch with” Aglaya. She remains terrified that Aglaya might be in love with Myshkin. Currently, the Epanchins are sitting with Evgeny, Prince Shch., and Myshkin; everyone is there except... (full context)

...actually liberals, all of whom come from the landowning or clerical classes. Everyone laughs, and Myshkin remarks that he doesn’t have a position regarding Evgeny’s argument but is enjoying listening to... (full context)

Evgeny argues that patriotism is actually stigmatized among liberals. Myshkin comments that Evgeny is surely correct to some degree, but that his opinion likely only... (full context)

Myshkin says that he has spent time in prisons and become “acquainted” with criminals. He notes... (full context)

...it’s been in months, but the other still express their disapproval of him staying with Myshkin. Annoyed, Myshkin tells them that they should forgive Ippolit because he is about to die.... (full context)

Myshkin takes Evgeny’s arm and assures him that he thinks he is “the noblest and best... (full context)

Kolya suddenly shouts: “The poor knight!” Addressing Myshkin, Aglaya shouts that she will never marry him, “a ridiculous man.” Myshkin points out that... (full context)

...and their friends are very pleased by the music. They chat with various people, though Myshkin struggles to conform to the social etiquette required of him. He longs to be back... (full context)

Myshkin hasn’t seen Nastasya for three months. He has been meaning to visit her but has... (full context)

...someone standing nearby and whacks the officer with it. The officer lunges toward her, but Myshkin manages to hold him back. The officer pushes Myshkin, sending him flying across the room.... (full context)

...the prince looking shocked. A little later, Aglaya comes out of the house to find Myshkin sitting on a chair on the terrace. She asks if him if he would agree... (full context)

Myshkin and Aglaya argue about how deadly duels actually are. Aglaya asks him if he owns... (full context)

...“cold-blooded little demon,” has started claiming that Nastasya is trying to get her to marry Myshkin. Aglaya believes that this is why Nastasya is “trying to drive Evgeny Pavlych out of... (full context)

Now alone, Myshkin reads the note from Aglaya. In it, she asks him to meet her in the... (full context)

Myshkin says goodbye to Keller, who is left confused by this strange behavior. Walking off, Myshkin... (full context)

Myshkin says he’ll come by tomorrow because he’s going home now, and asks Rogozhin to accompany... (full context)

Rogozhin says Nastasya hopes Myshkin will marry Aglaya and wants to see him happy. Myshkin is horrified by this. Rogozhin... (full context)

Myshkin and Rogozhin approach Lebedev’s dacha and see a lively crowd gathered on the terrace, drinking... (full context)

...the next day to sort out his uncle’s business. He says he wants to be Myshkin’s friend, and that he also wants to have a private conversation with him, but this... (full context)

...monks and several lay babies.” The others dismiss this as ridiculous, but at this point Myshkin speaks for the first time, suggesting that Lebedev might be right. He talks about the... (full context)

...this conversation, Ganya suddenly seems troubled by something, and gets up to sit by Rogozhin. Myshkin, meanwhile, is in a jolly mood. Evgeny expresses annoyance about Ippolit’s presence. (full context)

...he’s only been asleep for a few minutes. Ippolit announces to the whole crowd that Myshkin is in love. He then speaks to Myshkin directly, asking if it’s true that he... (full context)

...It begins with a description of a visit that took place yesterday between Ippolit and Myshkin. Ippolit says he hated Myshkin for five months, but this hatred has become to subside... (full context)

Ippolit says he was surprised that Myshkin guessed that he has nightmares, and that coming to Pavlovsk would help ease them. He... (full context)

At this point, Ippolit woke up and Myshkin came in. The people gathered begin to object that Ippolit is talking too much about... (full context)

...disappointed to see that Kolya, who has always been a loyal friend, has taken on Myshkin’s “Christian humility,” which Ippolit finds “ridiculous.” In March, Ippolit began to feel a little better.... (full context)

...psychologists, and anyone else who cares to read it. He has given one copy to Myshkin and the other to Aglaya, and arranged for his skeleton to be donated to the... (full context)

Ippolit speaks briefly to Myshkin, who tries to comfort him and urges him to drink a glass of water. Ippolit... (full context)

...anyone who dares to imply that Ippolit left the cap out on purpose. Evgeny and Myshkin discuss whether Ippolit is capable of killing himself or others, as he discussed in the... (full context)

Back in Pavlovsk, Myshkin falls asleep on a bench. In a dream, a woman he knows very well, but... (full context)

Bewildered, Myshkin says he thought there was another woman there, which shocks Aglaya. He then realizes that... (full context)

Aglaya announces that the reason why she brought Myshkin here is to “propose that you be my friend.” She blushes, and Myshkin says he... (full context)

Aglaya tells Myshkin that she hates the elite social world in which she has been brought up, and... (full context)

...says that Ganya burned his hand in front of her to demonstrate his love. After Myshkin refuses to believe this, Aglaya admits she was lying. Myshkin chastises her for being cruel... (full context)

Myshkin repeats that Nastasya is “insane.” However, when Aglaya asks him what to do so she... (full context)

When she and Myshkin reenter the house, Mrs. Epanchin is in a state of shock. Slowly recovering, she asks... (full context)

Lebedev enters and addresses Myshkin in an unusually formal, polite manner. He says that 400 roubles went missing from his... (full context)

...that he knows he’s in a dire state, with no money at all. He asks Myshkin if Ivolgin has tried to borrow money from him, and Myshkin says he hasn’t. Ivolgin... (full context)

Myshkin says he wants to support Lebedev, but begs him not to involve Nina or Kolya.... (full context)

Myshkin finally goes to sleep and dreams about Nastasya again. He wakes up feeling anguished and... (full context)

...on which Aglaya stands. In another letter, she talks about her hope that Aglaya marries Myshkin, adding: “You and he are one for me.” In another, she writes that if she... (full context)

...will kill her because his love for her is so passionate that it resembles hatred. Myshkin, who has been aimlessly wandering around the park, finally walks to the Epanchins’ dacha. Although... (full context)

Nastasya gets on her knees and begs Myshkin to tell her if he’s happy. She promises that this is the last time he... (full context)

A week after Myshkin and Nastasya’s meeting in the park, Varya returns home from a visit with friends, feeling... (full context)

...of the house. When he begins to calm down, Varya tells him that it’s official: Myshkin and Aglaya are engaged, and Adelaida’s wedding has once again been pushed back, so that... (full context)

Varya says that Aglaya laughs at Myshkin all day in order to conceal her true feelings. She then lets slip that the... (full context)

...to St. Petersburg the same day he left. For two days, Lebedev said nothing to Myshkin about the trip or the missing money, and spent all his time with Ivolgin. The... (full context)

...Lebedev comes. He, along with Keller and Kolya earlier, all seem to want to congratulate Myshkin on something. Lebedev begins speaking cryptically about how he doesn’t deserve Myshkin’s trust. Myshkin then... (full context)

Myshkin asks why Lebedev didn’t tell him that he found the money, and Lebedev explains that... (full context)

...the wallet again the next day, but first wants to tease Ivolgin a little more. Myshkin asks why he is torturing Ivolgin, noting that the fact that Ivolgin put the wallet... (full context)

Myshkin is late to his meeting with General Ivolgin and apologizes. Ivolgin returns a book that... (full context)

Myshkin appeases General Ivolgin even though he knows that what he’s saying isn’t true. Ivolgin goes... (full context)

...been talking for longer than he promised. Still overwhelmed by his own emotions, he wishes Myshkin well and leaves. That night, he receives a note in which Ivolgin informs him that... (full context)

When Varya told Ganya about Myshkin’s engagement to Aglaya, she exaggerated the extent to which it was actually confirmed. In reality,... (full context)

Alexandra and Adelaida, meanwhile, support the idea of Aglaya marrying Myshkin. Mrs. Epanchin blames their open-mindedness on the “cursed woman question.” She goes to see Kammeny... (full context)

The sisters explain that Myshkin turned out to be an excellent player of the game. Although Aglaya cheated, she still... (full context)

In reality, when Kolya presented the hedgehog to Myshkin, the prince immediately switched from a state of utmost misery to carefree joy. Kolya assured... (full context)

Nervously, Myshkin says that he hasn’t formally proposed to her, but that he loves her. Following further... (full context)

Alone with Myshkin, General Epanchin asks him to explain. Myshkin replies that he loves Aglaya deeply and has... (full context)

Myshkin is unusually lively that evening, talking at length about serious issues as well as telling... (full context)

Later, Myshkin runs into Ippolit by chance in the park. Ippolit points out that he was correct... (full context)

...will attend. General and Mrs. Epanchin are hoping that if Belokonsky comes to approve of Myshkin, the rest of “society” will follow suit. The evening they have planned is thus a... (full context)

The day before the gathering, Aglaya speaks with Myshkin alone. She mocks Mrs. Epanchin’s obsession with high society and its “rules,” and especially her... (full context)

Distressed, Myshkin is worried that he’ll talk excessively from nerves and will indeed break the vase. However,... (full context)

That night, Myshkin sleeps badly, gripped by fear that he will have an epileptic fit at the party.... (full context)

Myshkin scolds Lebedev for interfering in this business and showing the letter to Mrs. Epanchin, thereby... (full context)

Two hours later Kolya runs to Myshkin with news of General Ivolgin’s stroke. Hoping to help in some way, Myshkin stays at... (full context)

Looking around him, Myshkin cannot recognize the terrible scene that Aglaya warned him about. In fact, he is quite... (full context)

...at the party is in a happy mood. The Epanchins have decided not to introduce Myshkin to the dignitary, who is their benefactor, even though he would not be happy to... (full context)

Quite unexpectedly, the dignitary mentions Pavlishchev, catching Myshkin’s attention. General Epanchin comes over and explains that one of the guests, whose name is... (full context)

Ivan mentions that Pavlishchev converted to Catholicism, which horrifies Myshkin. The dignitary comments that Russians can be persuaded to convert out of fear. Myshkin declares... (full context)

Feeling awkward, Ivan suggests that they talk about something else, but Myshkin refuses. He continues to talk, becoming more and more animated. He decries the ease with... (full context)

Just as he is finishing his speech, Myshkin somehow makes a gesture that knocks the vase. It swings back and forth “as if... (full context)

Now crying, Myshkin asks if everyone forgives him for “everything,” not just the broken vase. Various guests, including... (full context)

Myshkin says he knows he is like a child, and cannot express himself in the right... (full context)

As the guests leave, they express mixed opinions about Myshkin. Mrs. Epanchin concludes that Myshkin and Aglaya cannot possibly get married. However, when Aglaya says... (full context)

Following the fit, Myshkin feels very sad. Vera comes to take care of him, but when he kisses her... (full context)

...an hour after the Epanchins’ visit, Ippolit comes in and collapses straight into a chair. Myshkin tries to speak to him, but Ippolit does not respond. Suddenly Ippolit announces that he’s... (full context)

...dreamed that Rogozhin smothered him to death with a wet rag. Ippolit expresses surprise that Myshkin doesn’t know about the meeting between Nastasya and Aglaya, for which Nastasya is coming all... (full context)

Alone, Myshkin is left in a state of horror. He is overwhelmed by Nastasya’s repeated capacity to... (full context)

...it is clear from the letters Nastasya wrote that she is a deeply selfish person. Myshkin, on the other hand, is the most pure-hearted person Aglaya has ever met, and he... (full context)

Nastasya starts crying, and taunts that Myshkin would marry her if she asked him to, while Aglaya would be left alone. She... (full context)

Two weeks pass. The story of what happened to Myshkin has been told, in many different versions, all over town. The basic tale is that... (full context)

There are rumors that Myshkin loves Aglaya but is actually a nihilist himself, which leads him to want to marry... (full context)

There are rumors that the Epanchins have ended their friendship with Myshkin, while Aglaya is in a “terrible state” and is hiding at Nina’s. However, when Aglaya... (full context)

Evgeny tells Myshkin that Aglaya was sick for three days after what happened at Darya’s. General and Mrs.... (full context)

Myshkin admits that he’s entirely at fault, but also explains that he didn’t actually take any... (full context)

When asked by Evgeny, Myshkin confirms that he loves both Nastasya and Aglaya, and that he somehow needs to make... (full context)

Some people believe that General and Mrs. Epanchin sent Evgeny to see Myshkin, though this is only a rumor. While all this has been happening Ivolgin died, and... (full context)

Nina suggests that Myshkin and Nastasya’s wedding should be more private, but this is not what Nastasya wants. Keller,... (full context)

Ippolit also spends a lot of time with Myshkin in the days leading up to the wedding. Ippolit is extremely sick at this point,... (full context)

...of her finery.” Secretly, she also hopes that Aglaya will see her, too. She and Myshkin leave each other, but at 11 p.m. that night, Darya fetches Myshkin to inform him... (full context)

...8 p.m. There is no planned reception, only a gathering of a handful of people. Myshkin sets off for the church at 7:30 p.m. It seems that everything is going according... (full context)

...wedding dress. Meanwhile, back at the church, everyone is in a state of shock. Only Myshkin leaves somewhat calmly, and surprises everyone by answering people’s stunned and often rather invasive questions... (full context)

Kolya helps Myshkin change back into his normal clothes, and then, at 10: 30 p.m., leaves him. Vera... (full context)

In St. Petersburg, Myshkin goes straight to Rogozhin’s house. Rogozhin’s mother says her son is not at home. Myshkin... (full context)

Myshkin is shocked to learn that the none of the people at the widow’s house had... (full context)

Myshkin asks the women at the apartment to show him Nastasya’s room. There he finds a... (full context)

...he lied to the caretaker and said he was in Pavlovsk. He says he knew Myshkin kept coming to the house, and hid from him. When Myshkin asks where Nastasya is,... (full context)

Sitting together again, Rogozhin tells Myshkin: “I just can’t think what I’m going to do with you now.” He admits that... (full context)

Myshkin asks if Rogozhin killed Nastasya with the same knife he used to try and attack... (full context)

Myshkin, meanwhile, seeks help from Evgeny, who gladly agrees to financially support him for more treatment... (full context)

The Epanchins all express their sincere gratitude to Evgeny for taking care of Myshkin. They then explain that Aglaya’s marriage turned out to be a disaster. The “count” was... (full context)

Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Character Analysis

Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Quotes in The Idiot

Part One, Chapter One Quotes

Part One, Chapter Six Quotes

Part Two, Chapter Nine Quotes

Part Two, Chapter Eleven Quotes

Part Three, Chapter Five Quotes

Part Three, Chapter Eight Quotes

Part Three, Chapter Ten Quotes

Part Four, Chapter Seven Quotes

Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin Character Timeline in The Idiot