A low-ranking bureaucrat and usurer who markets himself as a kind of theologian interpreting the Apocalypse, yet is actually cunning, opportunistic, alcoholic, and scheming. While he does not hesitate to fawn over the elite and the wealthy (especially the likes of Rogozhin), he covers this with philosophical and religious wordiness. With his hypocritical respect for the Prince, he constantly tries to survive by selling gossip and information.
He is a former civil servant who has recently lost his wife and shoulders the burden of supporting a large family. To survive the materialist tide of the new Russia, he resorts to usury and information peddling, making it a habit to appear on good terms with everyone while secretly pitting them against each other.
Small, with ragged clothes (usually a frock coat), someone constantly sweating or rushing, looking sycophantic as he pulls his face into different expressions and winks.
Rogojin
He is deathly afraid of him, yet he cannot resist becoming his submissive slave in the face of his wealth and ferocity.
Prens Mışkin
While attempting to exploit the Prince, he strangely harbors a sense of devotion and respect for his virtue.