Nicholas Stavrogin

Stepan Verkhovensky tutored the son of Mrs. Stavrogin, Nicholas before leaving home. He traveled all over Europe and even visited Egypt and Greece. He is an aristocrat by birth and, despite, his behavior and associations, retains a noble attitude. Well liked and admired by many in the town, Nicholas is aloof with most people. He has a frosty relationship with his mother and does not seem to have any real friends. He is a serial seducer who has had relationships with Lisa, Dasha, Mrs. Shatov, and is married (secretly) to Mary Lebyatkin. We find out in his confession that while in Petersburg, he raped a 12-year-old girl who later committed suicide.

Nicholas fights a duel with Gaganov wherein he refuses to shoot directly at his opponent. He also is responsible for several senseless acts of violence in the town before the events of the novel.

Nicholas was...