Introduction

Leo Tolstoy in his epic portrayed more than 500 characters typical of Russian society. In "War and Peace" the heroes of the novel are representatives of the upper class of Moscow and St. Petersburg, key state and military figures, soldiers, people from the common people, and peasants. The image of all strata of Russian society allowed Tolstoy to recreate whole picture Russian life in one of turning points history of Russia - the era of wars with Napoleon 1805-1812.

In "War and Peace" the characters are conditionally divided into the main characters - whose fates are woven by the author into the plot narration of all four volumes and the epilogue, and secondary - heroes who appear episodically in the novel. Among the main characters of the novel are central characters- Andrei Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostov and Pierre Bezukhov, around whose fate the events of the novel unfold.

Characteristics of the main characters of the novel

Andrey Bolkonsky- "a very handsome young man with definite and dry features", "small stature." The author introduces the reader to Bolkonsky at the beginning of the novel - the hero was one of the guests at the evening of Anna Scherer (where many of the main characters of Tolstoy's War and Peace were also present). According to the plot of the work, Andrei was tired of high society, he dreamed of glory, no less than the glory of Napoleon, and therefore goes to war. The episode that turned Bolkonsky's worldview upside down is the meeting with Bonaparte - Andrei, wounded on the field of Austerlitz, realized how insignificant Bonaparte and all his glory really are. The second turning point in Bolkonsky's life is the love for Natasha Rostova. The new feeling helped the hero to return to a full life, to believe that after the death of his wife and everything he had endured, he could fully live on. However, their happiness with Natasha was not destined to come true - Andrei was mortally wounded during the Battle of Borodino and soon died.

Natasha Rostova- a cheerful, kind, very emotional and loving girl: "black-eyed, with a big mouth, ugly, but alive." An important feature of the image of the central heroine of "War and Peace" is her musical talent- a beautiful voice that fascinated even people inexperienced in music. The reader meets Natasha on the girl's name day, when she turns 12 years old. Tolstoy depicts the moral maturation of the heroine: love experiences, going out, Natasha's betrayal of Prince Andrei and her feelings because of this, the search for oneself in religion and crucial moment in the life of the heroine - the death of Bolkonsky. In the epilogue of the novel, Natasha appears to the reader in a completely different way - we are more likely to see the shadow of her husband, Pierre Bezukhov, and not the bright, active Rostova, who a few years ago danced Russian dances and “won back” carts for the wounded from her mother.

Pierre Bezukhov- "a massive, fat young man with a cropped head, wearing glasses."

"Pierre was somewhat larger than the other men in the room", he had "an intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room." Pierre is a hero who is in constant search for himself through the knowledge of the world around him. Each situation in his life, each life stage became a special life lesson for the hero. Marriage to Helen, passion for Freemasonry, love for Natasha Rostova, presence on the battlefield of Borodino (which the hero sees precisely through the eyes of Pierre), French captivity and acquaintance with Karataev completely change the personality of Pierre - a purposeful and self-confident man with his own views and goals "grows" out of an absurd bumpkin.

Other important characters

In War and Peace, Tolstoy conditionally identifies several blocks of characters - the families of the Rostovs, Bolkonskys, Kuragins, as well as the characters who are part of the social circle of one of these families. Rostovs and Bolkonskys as positive heroes, carriers of truly Russian mentality, ideas and spirituality, are opposed negative characters Kuragin, who had little interest in the spiritual aspect of life, preferring to shine in society, weave intrigues and choose acquaintances according to their status and wealth. Better understand the essence of each main character will help a brief description of Heroes of War and Peace.

Graph Ilya Andreevich Rostov- a kind and generous man, for whom the most important thing in his life was his family. The count sincerely loved his wife and four children (Natasha, Vera, Nikolai and Petya), helped his wife in raising children and did his best to maintain a warm atmosphere in the Rostovs' house. Ilya Andreevich cannot live without luxury, he liked to arrange lavish balls, receptions and evenings, but his wastefulness and inability to manage household affairs eventually led to the critical financial situation of the Rostovs.
Countess Natalya Rostova is a 45-year-old woman with oriental features, who knows how to make an impression in high society, the wife of Count Rostov, and the mother of four children. The Countess, like her husband, loved her family very much, trying to support and educate her children. best qualities. Due to excessive love for children, after the death of Petya, the woman almost goes crazy. In the countess, kindness to loved ones was combined with prudence: wanting to correct financial position family, the woman is trying with all her might to upset Nikolai's marriage to Sonya, "not a profitable bride".

Nikolay Rostov- "a short curly young man with an open expression." This is a simple-hearted, open, honest and benevolent young man, Natasha's brother, the eldest son of the Rostovs. At the beginning of the novel, Nikolai appears as an admiring young man who wants military glory and recognition, but after participating first in the battle of Shengrabes, and then in the Battle of Austerlitz and the Patriotic War, Nikolai's illusions are dispelled and the hero realizes how absurd and wrong the very idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwar is. Nikolai finds personal happiness in marriage with Marya Bolkonskaya, in whom he felt a congenial person even at their first meeting.

Sonya Rostova- “a thin, petite brunette with a soft look tinted with long eyelashes, a thick black braid that wrapped around her head twice, and a yellowish tint of skin on her face”, niece of Count Rostov. According to the plot of the novel, she is quiet, reasonable, kind girl who knows how to love and is prone to self-sacrifice. Sonya refuses Dolokhov, because she wants to be faithful only to Nikolai, whom she sincerely loves. When the girl finds out that Nikolai is in love with Marya, she meekly lets him go, not wanting to interfere with the happiness of her beloved.

Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky- Prince, retired general-ashef. This is a proud, intelligent, strict to himself and others man of short stature "with small dry hands and gray hanging eyebrows, sometimes, as he frowned, obscured the shine of intelligent and as if young, shining eyes." In the depths of his soul, Bolkonsky loves his children very much, but does not dare to show this (only before his death he was able to show his daughter his love). Nikolai Andreevich died from the second blow while in Bogucharovo.

Marya Bolkonskaya- a quiet, kind, meek, prone to self-sacrifice and sincerely loving her family girl. Tolstoy describes her as a heroine with "an ugly, weak body and a thin face", but "the eyes of the princess, large, deep and radiant (as if rays of warm light sometimes came out of them in sheaves), were so good that very often, despite the ugliness of everything faces, these eyes became more attractive than beauty. The beauty of Marya's eyes after struck Nikolai Rostov. The girl was very pious, she devoted herself entirely to caring for her father and nephew, then redirecting her love to own family and husband.

Helen Kuragina- a bright, brilliantly beautiful woman with an "unchanging smile" and full white shoulders, who liked male society, Pierre's first wife. Helen was not distinguished by a special mind, but thanks to her charm, her ability to keep herself in society and establish the necessary connections, she set up her own salon in St. Petersburg, and was personally acquainted with Napoleon. The woman died of a severe sore throat (although there were rumors in society that Helen had committed suicide).

Anatole Kuragin- Helen's brother, as handsome in appearance and noticeable in high society as his sister. Anatole lived the way he wanted, discarding everything moral principles and uphold, arranged drunkenness and brawls. Kuragin wanted to steal Natasha Rostova and marry her, although he was already married.

Fedor Dolokhov- "a man of medium height, curly-haired and with bright eyes", an officer of the Semenov regiment, one of the leaders of the partisan movement. In the personality of Fedor miraculously selfishness, cynicism and adventurism combined with the ability to love and care for their loved ones. (Nikolai Rostov is very surprised that at home, with his mother and sister, Dolokhov is completely different - a loving and gentle son and brother).

Conclusion

Even short description of the heroes of Tolstoy's "War and Peace" allows us to see the close and inextricable relationship between the fates of the characters. Like all events in the novel, the meetings and farewells of the characters take place according to the irrational, elusive law of historical mutual influences. It is these incomprehensible mutual influences that create the destinies of the heroes and form their views on the world.

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Vasily Kuragin

Prince, father of Helen, Anatole and Hippolyte. This is a very famous and quite influential person in society, he occupies an important court post. The attitude towards everyone around Prince V. is condescending and patronizing. The author shows his hero “in a courtly, embroidered uniform, in stockings, shoes, with stars, with a bright expression of a flat face”, with a “perfumed and shining bald head”. But when he smiled, there was "something unexpectedly rude and unpleasant" in his smile. Especially Prince V. does not wish harm to anyone. He simply uses people and circumstances to carry out his plans. V. always strives to get close to people who are richer and higher in position. The hero considers himself an exemplary father, he does everything possible to arrange the future of his children. He is trying to marry his son Anatole to the rich Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. After the death of the old prince Bezukhov and Pierre receiving a huge inheritance, V. notices a rich fiancé and by cunning gives his daughter Helen to him. Prince V. is a great intriguer who knows how to live in society and make acquaintances with the right people.

Anatole Kuragin

Son of Prince Vasily, brother of Helen and Ippolit. Prince Vasily himself looks at his son as a "restless fool" who constantly needs to be rescued from various troubles. A. is very handsome, dandy, insolent. He is frankly stupid, not resourceful, but popular in society, because "he had both the ability of calmness, precious to the world, and unchanging confidence." A. friend of Dolokhov, constantly participating in his revelry, looks at life as a constant stream of pleasures and pleasures. He doesn't care about other people, he's selfish. A. treats women with contempt, feeling his superiority. He was used to being liked by everyone, without experiencing anything serious in return. A. became interested in Natasha Rostova and tried to take her away. After this incident, the hero was forced to flee from Moscow and hide from Prince Andrei, who wanted to challenge the seducer of his bride to a duel.

Kuragina Helen

Daughter of Prince Vasily, and then the wife of Pierre Bezukhov. A brilliant St. Petersburg beauty with an "unchanging smile", full white shoulders, glossy hair and a beautiful figure. There was no noticeable coquetry in her, as if she was ashamed "for her undoubtedly and too strong and victorious acting beauty." E. is imperturbable, giving everyone the right to admire herself, which is why she feels, as it were, gloss from a multitude of other people's views. She knows how to be silently worthy in the world, giving the impression of tact and smart women We are sure that, in combination with beauty, it ensures its constant success. Having married Pierre Bezukhov, the heroine discovers in front of her husband not only a limited mind, coarseness of thought and vulgarity, but also cynical depravity. After breaking up with Pierre and receiving a large part of the fortune from him by proxy, she lives either in St. Petersburg or abroad, then returns to her husband. Despite the family break, the constant change of lovers, including Dolokhov and Drubetskoy, E. continues to be one of the most famous and favored by the St. Petersburg ladies. She is making very great progress in the world; living alone, she becomes the mistress of the diplomatic and political salon, gains a reputation as an intelligent woman

Anna Pavlovna Sherer

Maid of honor close to Empress Maria Feodorovna. Sh. is the mistress of a fashionable salon in St. Petersburg, the description of the evening in which the novel opens. A.P. 40 years old, she is artificial, like all high society. Her attitude to any person or event depends entirely on the latest political, court or secular considerations. She is friendly with Prince Vasily. Sh. "is full of revival and impulse", "to be an enthusiast has become her social position." In 1812, her salon displays false patriotism by eating cabbage soup and being fined for speaking French.

Boris Drubetskoy

Son of Princess Anna Mikhailovna Drubetskaya. From childhood he was brought up and lived for a long time in the house of the Rostovs, to whom he was a relative. B. and Natasha were in love with each other. Outwardly, this is “a tall, blond young man with the correct subtle features of a calm and beautiful face". B. from his youth dreams of a military career, allows his mother to humiliate himself in front of his superiors, if this will help him. So, Prince Vasily finds him a place in the guard. B. is going to do brilliant career, makes many useful acquaintances. After a while, he becomes Helen's lover. B. manages to be in the right place in right time, and his career and position are especially firmly established. In 1809, he meets Natasha again and is carried away by her, even thinking of marrying her. But it would hinder his career. Therefore, B. begins to look for a rich bride. He eventually marries Julie Karagina.

Count Rostov

Rostov Ilya Andreevy - Count, father of Natasha, Nikolai, Vera and Petya. Very good-natured generous person, loving life and not very able to calculate their funds. R. is best able to make a reception, a ball, he is a hospitable host and an exemplary family man. The count is used to living in a big way, and when the means no longer allow this, he gradually ruins his family, from which he suffers greatly. When leaving Moscow, it is R. who begins to give carts for the wounded. So he deals one of the last blows to the family budget. The death of Petit's son finally broke the count, he comes to life only when he is preparing a wedding for Natasha and Pierre.

Countess of Rostov

Count Rostov's wife, "a woman with oriental type thin face, forty-five years old, apparently exhausted by children ... The slowness of her movements and speech, which came from the weakness of her strength, gave her a significant look that inspires respect. R. creates in his family an atmosphere of love and kindness, he cares very much about the fate of his children. The news of the death of the youngest and beloved son of Petya almost drives her crazy. She is accustomed to luxury and the fulfillment of the slightest whims, and demands this after the death of her husband.

Natasha Rostova

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. She is "black-eyed, with a big mouth, ugly, but alive ...". Distinctive features N. - emotionality and sensitivity. She is not very smart, but she has an amazing ability to guess people. She is capable of noble deeds, she can forget about her interests for the sake of other people. So, she calls on her family to take out the wounded on carts, leaving their property. N. takes care of her mother with all her dedication after Petya's death. N. has a very beautiful voice she is very musical. With her singing, she is able to awaken the best in a person. Tolstoy notes N.'s proximity to common people. This is one of her best qualities. N. lives in an atmosphere of love and happiness. Changes in her life occur after meeting with Prince Andrei. N. becomes his bride, but later becomes interested in Anatole Kuragin. After a while, N. understands the full force of his guilt before the prince, before his death he forgives her, she remains with him until his death. N. feels true love for Pierre, they understand each other perfectly, they are very good together. She becomes his wife and completely surrenders to the role of wife and mother.

Nikolay Rostov

Son of Count Rostov. "A short curly young man with an open expression." The hero is distinguished by "swiftness and enthusiasm", he is cheerful, open, friendly and emotional. N. participates in military campaigns and the Patriotic War of 1812. In the battle of Shengraben, N. goes on the attack at first very bravely, but then he is wounded in the arm. This injury causes him to panic, he thinks about how he, "whom everyone loves so much," can die. This event somewhat belittles the image of the hero. After N. becomes a brave officer, a real hussar, remaining faithful to duty. N. had long romance with Sonya and he was going to do Noble act, marrying a dowry against the will of the mother. But he receives a letter from Sonya in which she says that she is letting him go. After the death of his father, N. takes care of the family, resigning. She and Marya Bolkonskaya fall in love with each other and get married.

Petya Rostov

The youngest son of the Rostovs. At the beginning of the novel, we see P. as a small boy. He typical representative his family, kind, cheerful, musical. He wants to imitate his older brother and go in life along the military line. In 1812 he was full of patriotic impulses and went into the army. During the war, the young man accidentally ends up with an assignment in the Denisov detachment, where he remains, wanting to take part in the real case. He accidentally dies, showing all his best qualities in relation to his comrades the day before. His death is the greatest tragedy for his family.

Pierre Bezukhov

The illegitimate son of the rich and well-known in society, Count Bezukhov. He appears almost before the death of his father and becomes the heir to the entire fortune. P. is very different from people belonging to high society, even outwardly. This is a "massive, fat young man with a cropped head, wearing glasses" with an "observant and natural" look. He was brought up abroad and received a good education there. P. is smart, has a penchant for philosophical reasoning, he has a very kind and gentle disposition, he is completely impractical. Andrei Bolkonsky loves him very much, considers him his friend and the only "living person" among all high society.
In pursuit of money, P. entangles the Kuragin family and, taking advantage of P.'s naivety, force him to marry Helen. He is unhappy with her, understands that this is a terrible woman and breaks off relations with her.
At the beginning of the novel, we see that P. considers Napoleon his idol. After that, he is terribly disappointed in him and even wants to kill him. P. is characterized by the search for the meaning of life. That is how he becomes interested in Freemasonry, but, seeing their falsity, he leaves from there. P. is trying to reorganize the life of his peasants, but he does not succeed because of his gullibility and impracticality. P. participates in the war, not yet fully understanding what it is. Left in burning Moscow to kill Napoleon, P. is captured. He experiences great moral torment during the execution of prisoners. In the same place, P. meets with the spokesman for the "people's thought" Platon Karataev. Thanks to this meeting, P. learned to see "the eternal and infinite in everything." Pierre loves Natasha Rostov, but she is married to his friend. After the death of Andrei Bolkonsky and the rebirth of Natasha to life, best heroes Tolstoy get married. In the epilogue, we see P. as a happy husband and father. In a dispute with Nikolai Rostov, P. expresses his convictions, and we understand that we are facing a future Decembrist.

Sonya

She is “a thin, miniature brunette with a soft look tinted with long eyelashes, a thick black braid that wraps around her head twice, and a yellowish tint of skin on her face and especially on her naked, thin, but graceful hands and neck. With smoothness of movement, softness and flexibility of small members and a somewhat cunning and reserved manner, she resembles a beautiful, but not yet formed kitten, which will be a lovely cat.
S. - the niece of the old Count Rostov, brought up in this house. Since childhood, the heroine has been in love with Nikolai Rostov, very friendly with Natasha. S. is restrained, silent, reasonable, capable of sacrificing herself. The feeling for Nikolai is so strong that she wants to "always love, and let him be free." Because of this, she refuses Dolokhov, who wanted to marry her. S. and Nikolai are connected by a word, he promised to take her as his wife. But the old Countess Rostova is against this wedding, he reproaches S ... She, not wanting to pay with ingratitude, refuses to marry, freeing Nikolai from this promise. After the death of the old count, he lives with the countess in the care of Nicholas.

Dolokhov

“Dolokhov was a man of average height, curly-haired and with light, blue eyes. He was twenty-five years old. He did not wear a mustache, like all infantry officers, and his mouth, the most striking feature of his face, was completely visible. The lines of this mouth were remarkably finely curved. In the middle upper lip energetically descended on the strong lower one in a sharp wedge, and something like two smiles constantly formed in the corners, one on each side; and all together, and especially in combination with a firm, insolent, intelligent look, made such an impression that it was impossible not to notice this face. This hero is not rich, but he knows how to put himself in such a way that everyone around respects and fears him. He likes to have fun, and in a rather strange and sometimes cruel way. For one case of mockery of the quarter, D. was demoted to the soldiers. But during the hostilities, he regained his rank of officer. This is a smart, brave and cold-blooded person. He is not afraid of death an evil person, hides his tender love for his mother. In fact, D. does not want to know anyone except those whom he really loves. He divides people into harmful and useful, sees mostly harmful people around him and is ready to get rid of them if they suddenly stand in his way. D. was Helen's lover, he provokes Pierre to a duel, dishonestly beats Nikolai Rostov at cards, and helps Anatole arrange an escape with Natasha.

Nikolai Bolkonsky

The prince, general-in-chief, was dismissed from service under Paul I and exiled to the countryside. He is the father of Andrei Bolkonsky and Princess Marya. This is a very pedantic, dry, active person who cannot stand idleness, stupidity, superstition. In his house, everything is scheduled by the clock, he must be at work all the time. The old prince did not make the slightest change in order and schedule.
ON THE. short in stature, "in a powdered wig ... with small dry hands and gray drooping eyebrows, sometimes, as he frowned, obscured the brilliance of smart and as if young shining eyes." The prince is very restrained in the manifestation of feelings. He constantly harasses his daughter with nit-picking, although in fact he loves her very much. ON THE. proud, intelligent man, constantly concerned about the preservation of family honor and dignity. In his son, he brought up a sense of pride, honesty, duty, patriotism. Despite avoiding public life, the prince is constantly interested in political and military events taking place in Russia. Only before his death, he loses an idea of ​​the scale of the tragedy that happened to his homeland.

Andrey Bolkonsky

Son of Prince Bolkonsky, brother of Princess Marya. At the beginning of the novel, we see B. as an intelligent, proud, but rather arrogant person. He despises people of high society, is unhappy in marriage and does not respect his pretty wife. B. is very restrained, well educated, he has a strong will. This hero is going through a big spiritual change. First we see that his idol is Napoleon, whom he considers a great man. B. goes to war, goes to the active army. There he fights on an equal footing with all the soldiers, shows great courage, composure, and prudence. Participates in the Battle of Shengraben. B. was seriously wounded in the battle of Austerlitz. This moment is extremely important, because it was then that the spiritual rebirth of the hero began. Lying motionless and seeing the calm and eternal sky of Austerlitz above him, B. understands all the pettiness and stupidity of everything that happens in the war. He realized that in fact there should be completely different values ​​​​in life than those that he had until now. All feats, glory do not matter. There is only this vast and eternal sky. In the same episode, B. sees Napoleon and understands all the insignificance of this man. B. returns home, where everyone thought he was dead. His wife dies in childbirth, but the child survives. The hero is shocked by the death of his wife and feels guilty before her. He decides not to serve anymore, settles in Bogucharovo, takes care of the household, raises his son, reads many books. During a trip to St. Petersburg, B. meets Natasha Rostova for the second time. A deep feeling awakens in him, the heroes decide to get married. B.'s father does not agree with the choice of his son, they postpone the wedding for a year, the hero goes abroad. After the betrayal of the bride, he returns to the army under the leadership of Kutuzov. During the Battle of Borodino, he was mortally wounded. By chance, he leaves Moscow in the Rostovs' train. Before his death, he forgives Natasha and understands the true meaning of love.

Lisa Bolkonskaya

Prince Andrew's wife. She is the darling of the whole world, an attractive young woman whom everyone calls the "little princess". “Her pretty, with a slightly blackened mustache, her upper lip was short in teeth, but it opened all the nicer and stretched out even more nicely sometimes and fell on the lower one. As is always the case with quite attractive women, her shortcomings—the shortness of her lips and her half-open mouth—seemed to be her special, her own beauty. Everyone had fun watching this full of health and liveliness, a pretty mother-to-be, who endured her position so easily. L. was a universal favorite due to her constant liveliness and courtesy of a secular woman, she could not imagine her life without high society. But Prince Andrei did not love his wife and felt unhappy in marriage. L. does not understand her husband, his aspirations and ideals. After Andrei left for the war, L. lives in the Bald Mountains with the old prince Bolkonsky, for whom he feels fear and hostility. L. anticipates his quick death and actually dies during childbirth.

Princess Mary

D the eye of the old Prince Bolkonsky and the sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. M. is ugly, sickly, but her whole face is transformed by beautiful eyes: "... the princess's eyes, large, deep and radiant (as if rays of warm light sometimes came out of them in sheaves), were so good that very often, despite the ugliness of her whole face , these eyes became more attractive than beauty. Princess M. is very religious. She often hosts all kinds of pilgrims, wanderers. She has no close friends, she lives under the yoke of her father, whom she loves, but is incredibly afraid of. The old prince Bolkonsky was distinguished by a bad character, M. was absolutely crammed with him and did not at all believe in her personal happiness. She gives all her love to her father, brother Andrei and his son, trying to replace little Nikolenka dead mother. M.'s life changes after meeting Nikolai Rostov. It was he who saw all the wealth and beauty of her soul. They marry, M. becomes a devoted wife, fully sharing all the views of her husband.

Kutuzov

A real historical person, the commander-in-chief of the Russian army. For Tolstoy, he is the ideal of a historical figure and the ideal of a person. “He listens to everything, remembers everything, puts everything in its place, does not interfere with anything useful and does not allow anything harmful. He understands that there is something stronger and more significant than his will - this is the inevitable course of events, and he knows how to see them, knows how to understand their significance and, in view of this significance, knows how to renounce participation in these events, from his personal will directed to another." K. knew that “the fate of the battle is not decided by the orders of the commander-in-chief, not by the place on which the troops stand, not by the number of guns and killed people, but by that elusive force called the spirit of the troops, and he followed this force and led it, as far as it was in his power." K. merges with the people, he is always modest and simple. His behavior is natural, the author constantly emphasizes his heaviness, senile weakness. K. - spokesman folk wisdom in the novel. His strength lies in the fact that he understands and knows well what worries the people, and acts in accordance with this. K. dies when he has fulfilled his duty. The enemy is driven out of the borders of Russia, more than this folk hero nothing to do.

Alexey Durnovo talks about the prototypes of the heroes of Leo Tolstoy's famous epic.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

Nikolai Tuchkov

One of those characters whose image is more fictional than borrowed from specific people. As an unattainable moral ideal, Prince Andrei, of course, could not have a definite prototype. Nevertheless, in the facts of the character's biography, one can find a lot in common, for example, with Nikolai Tuchkov.

Nikolai Rostov and Princess Marya - the writer's parents

He, just like Prince Andrei, was mortally wounded in the Battle of Borodino, from which he died in Yaroslavl three weeks later. The scene of the wounding of Prince Andrei at the Battle of Austerlitz is probably borrowed from the biography of Staff Captain Fyodor (Ferdinand) Tizenhausen. He died with a banner in his hands, when he led the Little Russian grenadier regiment to the enemy bayonets in that very battle. It is possible that Tolstoy gave the image of Prince Andrei the features of his brother, Sergei. At least this applies to the story of the failed marriage of Bolkonsky and Natasha Rostova. Sergei Tolstoy was engaged to Tatyana Bers, but the marriage, postponed for a year, never took place. Either because of the inappropriate behavior of the bride, or because the groom had a gypsy wife, whom he did not want to part with.

Natasha Rostova

Sofya Tolstaya - the writer's wife

Natasha has two prototypes at once, the already mentioned Tatyana Bers and her sister Sophia Bers. Here it should be noted that Sophia is none other than the wife of Leo Tolstoy. Tatyana Bers married Senator Alexander Kuzminsky in 1867. Most she spent her childhood in the family of a writer and managed to make friends with the author of War and Peace, even though she was almost 20 years younger than him. Moreover, under the influence of Tolstoy, Kuzminskaya herself took up literary creativity. It seems that every person who went to school knows about Sofya Andreevna Tolstaya. She did rewrite War and Peace, a novel main character who had a lot common features with the wife of the author.

Rostov

Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy - the grandfather of the writer

The surname Rostov was formed by replacing the first and last letters in the surname Tolstoy. "P" instead of "t", "v" instead of "d", well, minus "l". So family holding important place in the novel, took on a new name. The Rostovs are the Tolstoys, or rather the writer's paternal relatives. There is even a coincidence in the names, as in the case of the old Count Rostov.

Even Tolstoy did not hide the fact that Vasily Denisov is Denis Davydov

This name hides the writer's grandfather Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy. This man, in fact, led a rather wasteful lifestyle and spent enormous sums on entertainment events. And yet, this is not the good-natured Ilya Andreevich Rostov from War and Peace. Count Tolstoy was the governor of Kazan and a bribe taker known throughout Russia. He was removed from his post after the auditors discovered the theft of almost 15 thousand rubles from the provincial treasury. Tolstoy explained the loss of money by a "lack of knowledge."

Nikolai Rostov is the father of the writer Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy. There are more than enough similarities between the prototype and the hero of War and Peace. Nikolai Tolstoy served in the hussars and went through all the Napoleonic wars, including the Patriotic War of 1812. It is believed that the descriptions of military scenes with the participation of Nikolai Rostov were taken by the writer from the memoirs of his father. Moreover, Tolstoy Sr. completed the financial collapse of the family with constant losses in cards and debts, and to remedy the situation, he married the ugly and withdrawn Princess Maria Volkonskaya, who was four years older than him.

Princess Mary

The mother of Leo Tolstoy, Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya, by the way, is also the full namesake of the book heroine. Unlike Princess Marya, she had no problems with the sciences, in particular with mathematics and geometry. She lived for 30 years with her father in Yasnaya Polyana (Bald Mountains from the novel), but never married, although she was a very enviable bride. The fact is that the old prince, in fact, had a monstrous character, and his daughter was a closed woman and personally rejected several suitors.

Dolokhov's prototype probably ate his own orangutan

Princess Volkonskaya even had a companion - Miss Hanessen, somewhat similar to Mademoiselle Bourienne from the novel. After the death of her father, the daughter began to literally give away property, after which her relatives intervened, arranging the marriage of Maria Nikolaevna with Nikolai Tolstoy. Judging by the memoirs of contemporaries, the arranged marriage turned out to be very happy, but short-lived. Maria Volkonskaya died eight years after the wedding, having managed to give birth to her husband four children.

Old Prince Bolkonsky

Nikolai Volkonsky, who left the royal service for the sake of raising his only daughter

Nikolai Sergeevich Volkonsky - an infantry general who distinguished himself in several battles and received the nickname "King of Prussia" from his colleagues. In character, he is very similar to the old prince: proud, self-willed, but not cruel. Left the service after the accession of Paul I, retired to Yasnaya Polyana and took up the education of his daughter.

The prototype of Ilya Rostov is Tolstoy's grandfather, who ruined his career

For days on end he improved his household and taught his daughter languages ​​and sciences. Important difference from a character from the book: Prince Nikolai perfectly survived the War of 1812, and died only nine years later, a little short of seventy.

Sonya

Tatyana Ergolskaya is the second cousin of Nikolai Tolstoy, who was brought up in his father's house. In their youth, they had an affair that never ended in marriage. Not only Nikolai's parents opposed the wedding, but Yergolskaya herself. AT last time she rejected a marriage proposal from her cousin in 1836. The widowed Tolstoy asked for the hand of Yergolskaya, so that she would become his wife and replace the mother of five children. Ergolskaya refused, but after the death of Nikolai Tolstoy, she really took up the education of his sons and daughter, devoting the rest of her life to them.

Dolokhov

Fedor Tolstoy-American

Dolokhov also has several prototypes. Among them, for example, lieutenant general and partisan Ivan Dorokhov, the hero of several major campaigns, including the war of 1812. However, if we talk about character, then Dolokhov has more similarities with Fedor Ivanovich Tolstoy-American, who was famous in his time as a breter, player and lover of women. It must be said that Tolstoy is not the only writer who has placed the American in his works. Fedor Ivanovich is also considered the prototype of Zaretsky, Lensky's second from Eugene Onegin. Tolstoy got his nickname after he made a trip to America, during which he was taken off the ship and ate his own monkey.

Kuragins

Alexey Borisovich Kurakin

In this case, it is difficult to talk about the family, because the images of Prince Vasily, Anatole and Helen are borrowed from several people who are not related by kinship. Kuragin Sr. is undoubtedly Alexei Borisovich Kurakin, a prominent courtier during the reigns of Paul I and Alexander I, who made a brilliant career at court and made a fortune.

Prototypes of Helen - the wife of Bagration and the mistress of a classmate of Pushkin

He had three children, exactly like Prince Vasily, of whom his daughter brought him the most trouble. Alexandra Alekseevna really had a scandalous reputation, especially her divorce from her husband made a lot of noise in the world. Prince Kurakin, in one of his letters, even called his daughter the main burden of his old age. Looks like a character from War and Peace, doesn't it? Although, Vasily Kuragin spoke a little differently.

Anatole Kuragin, apparently, has no prototype, except for Anatoly Lvovich Shostak, who at one time seduced Tatyana Bers.

Ekaterina Skavronskaya-Bagration

As for Helen, her image is taken from several women at once. In addition to some similarities with Alexandra Kurakina, she has much in common with Ekaterina Skvaronskaya (Bagration's wife), who was known for her careless behavior not only in Russia, but also in Europe. At home, she was called the "Wandering Princess", and in Austria she was known as the mistress of Clemens Metternich, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Empire. From him, Ekaterina Skavronskaya gave birth - of course, out of wedlock - a daughter, Clementine. Perhaps it was the "Wandering Princess" that contributed to the entry of Austria into the anti-Napoleonic coalition. Another woman from whom Tolstoy could borrow Helen's traits is Nadezhda Akinfova. She was born in 1840 and was very famous in St. Petersburg and Moscow as a woman of scandalous reputation and rampant disposition. She gained wide popularity thanks to an affair with Chancellor Alexander Gorchakov, a classmate of Pushkin. By the way, he was 40 years older than Akinfova, the husband who was the chancellor's great-nephew.

Vasily Denisov

Denis Davydov

Every schoolchild knows that Denis Davydov was the prototype of Vasily Denisov. Tolstoy himself acknowledged this.

Julie Karagina

There is an opinion that Julie Karagina is Varvara Alexandrovna Lanskaya. She is known exclusively for the fact that she had a long correspondence with her friend Maria Volkova. From these letters Tolstoy studied the history of the War of 1812. Moreover, they almost completely entered War and Peace under the guise of correspondence between Princess Marya and Julie Karagina.

Pierre Bezukhov

Petr Vyazemsky

Alas, Pierre does not have any obvious or even approximate prototype. This character has similarities both with Tolstoy himself and with many historical figures who lived at the time of the writer and in the years Patriotic War. There is, for example, a curious story about how the historian and poet Pyotr Vyazemsky went to the site of the Battle of Borodino. Allegedly, this incident formed the basis of the story of how Pierre traveled to Borodino. But Vyazemsky was at that time a military man, and he arrived on the battlefield not by an internal call, but by official duties.

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, with his pure Russian pen, gave life to a whole world of characters in the novel War and Peace. His fictional characters, who intertwine into whole noble families or family ties between families are modern reader a real reflection of those people who lived in the times described by the author. One of greatest books of world significance "War and Peace" with the confidence of a professional historian, but at the same time, as in a mirror, presents to the whole world that Russian spirit, those characters of secular society, those historical events which were invariably present in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
And against the background of these events, it is shown in all its power and diversity.

L.N. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" are experiencing the events of the past nineteenth century, but Lev Nikolayevich begins to describe the events of 1805. The coming war with the French, the decisively approaching whole world and the growing greatness of Napoleon, the confusion in Moscow secular circles and the apparent calm in St. secular society- all this can be called a kind of background against which, as brilliant artist, the author drew his characters. There are quite a lot of heroes - about 550 or 600. There are both main and central figures, and there are others or just mentioned. In total, the heroes of "War and Peace" can be divided into three groups: central, secondary and mentioned characters. Among all of them, there are both fictional characters, both prototypes of the people who surrounded the writer at that time, and real ones. historical figures. Consider the main characters novel.

Quotes from the novel "War and Peace"

- ... I often think how sometimes the happiness of life is unfairly distributed.

A person cannot own anything while he is afraid of death. And whoever is not afraid of her, everything belongs to him.

Until now, thank God, I have been a friend of my children and enjoy their full confidence, - said the countess, repeating the error of many parents who believe that their children have no secrets from them.

Everything, from napkins to silver, faience and crystal, bore that special imprint of novelty that happens in the household of young spouses.

If everyone fought only according to their convictions, there would be no war.

Being an enthusiast became her social position, and sometimes, when she didn’t even want to, she, in order not to deceive the expectations of people who knew her, became an enthusiast.

Everything, to love everyone, to always sacrifice oneself for love, meant not to love anyone, meant not to live this earthly life.

Never, never marry, my friend; here is my advice to you: do not marry until you tell yourself that you have done everything you could, and until you stop loving the woman you have chosen, until you see her clearly; otherwise you will make a cruel and irreparable mistake. Marry an old man, worthless ...

The central figures of the novel "War and Peace"

Rostovs - counts and countesses

Rostov Ilya Andreevich

Count, father of four children: Natasha, Vera, Nikolai and Petya. A very kind and generous person who loved life very much. His exorbitant generosity ultimately led him to extravagance. loving husband and father. A very good organizer of various balls and receptions. However, his life on a grand scale, and disinterested assistance to the wounded during the war with the French and the departure of the Russians from Moscow, caused fatal blows by his condition. His conscience constantly tormented him because of the impending poverty of his family, but he could not help himself. After the death of his youngest son Petya, the count was broken, but, however, revived during the preparations for the wedding of Natasha and Pierre Bezukhov. It takes just a few months after the wedding of the Bezukhovs, as Count Rostov dies.

Rostova Natalya (wife of Ilya Andreevich Rostov)

The wife of Count Rostov and the mother of four children, this woman, at the age of forty-five, had oriental features. The focus of slowness and gravity in her was regarded by others as the solidity and high significance of her personality for the family. But real reason her manner, perhaps, lies in the exhausted and weak physical condition due to childbirth and the upbringing of four children. She loves her family and children very much, so the news of the death of Petya's youngest son almost drove her crazy. Just like Ilya Andreevich, Countess Rostova was very fond of luxury and the execution of any of her orders.

Leo Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" in Countess Rostova helped to reveal the prototype of the author's grandmother - Tolstoy Pelageya Nikolaevna.

Rostov Nikolay

Son of Count Rostov Ilya Andreevich. A loving brother and son who honors his family, at the same time loves to serve in Russian army which is very significant and important for his dignity. Even in his fellow soldiers, he often saw his second family. Even though it was for a long time in love with his cousin Sonya, yet at the end of the novel he marries Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. A very energetic young man, with curly hair and an "open expression". His patriotism and love for the Emperor of Russia never dried up. Having gone through many hardships of war, he becomes a brave and brave hussar. After the death of father Ilya Andreevich, Nikolai retires in order to improve the financial affairs of the family, pay debts and, finally, become a good husband for Marya Bolkonskaya.

It seems to Tolstoy Leo Nikolaevich as a prototype of his father.

Rostova Natasha

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. A very energetic and emotional girl, who was considered ugly, but lively and attractive, she is not very smart, but intuitive, because she was able to perfectly “guess people”, their mood and some character traits. Very impetuous for nobility and self-sacrifice. She sings and dances very beautifully, which at that time was an important characterizing quality for a girl from a secular society. The most important quality of Natasha, which Leo Tolstoy, like his heroes, repeatedly emphasizes in the novel War and Peace, is closeness to the simple Russian people. Yes, and she herself absorbed the entire Russianness of culture and the strength of the spirit of the nation. Nevertheless, this girl lives in her illusion of goodness, happiness and love, which, after some time, brings Natasha into reality. It is these blows of fate and her heartfelt feelings that make Natasha Rostova an adult and give her, as a result, a mature true love to Pierre Bezukhov. The story of the rebirth of her soul deserves special respect, as Natasha began to attend church after she succumbed to the temptation of a deceitful seducer. If you are interested in Tolstoy's works, which take a deeper look at the Christian heritage of our people, then you need to read about how he fought temptation.

A collective prototype of the writer's daughter-in-law Tatyana Andreevna Kuzminskaya, as well as her sister, Lev Nikolaevich's wife, Sophia Andreevna.

Rostova Vera

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. She was famous for her strict disposition and inappropriate, albeit fair, remarks in society. It is not known why, but her mother did not really love her and Vera felt this keenly, apparently, therefore she often went against everyone around her. Later she became the wife of Boris Drubetskoy.

It is the prototype of Tolstoy's sister Sophia - the wife of Leo Nikolayevich, whose name was Elizabeth Bers.

Rostov Petr

Just a boy, the son of the Count and Countess of the Rostovs. Growing up Petya, the young man tried to go to war, and in such a way that his parents could not at all keep him. Escaped all the same from parental care and decided on the hussar regiment of Denisov. Petya dies in the first battle, without having time to fight. His death greatly crippled his family.

Sonya

The miniature glorious girl Sonya was the native niece of Count Rostov and lived all her life under his roof. Her long-term love for Nikolai Rostov became fatal for her, because she never managed to unite with him in marriage. In addition, the old Count Natalya Rostova was very against their marriage, because they were cousins. Sonya acts nobly, refusing Dolokhov and agreeing to love only Nikolai for life, while freeing him from his promise to marry her. For the rest of her life, she lives with the old countess in the care of Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of this seemingly insignificant character was Lev Nikolayevich's second cousin, Tatyana Aleksandrovna Ergolskaya.

Bolkonsky - princes and princesses

Bolkonsky Nikolai Andreevich

The father of the protagonist, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. In the past, the acting General-in-Chief, in the present, the Prince, who earned himself the nickname "Prussian King" in Russian secular society. Socially active, strict like a father, tough, pedantic, but wise owner of his estate. Outwardly, he was a thin old man in a powdered white wig, thick eyebrows hanging over a shrewd and smart eyes. He does not like to show feelings even for his beloved son and daughter. He constantly harasses his daughter Mary with nit-picking and sharp words. Sitting at his estate, Prince Nikolai is constantly on the alert for events taking place in Russia, and only before his death he loses a complete understanding of the scale of the tragedy of the Russian war with Napoleon.

The prototype of Prince Nikolai Andreevich was the writer's grandfather Volkonsky Nikolai Sergeevich.

Bolkonsky Andrey

Prince, son of Nikolai Andreevich. Ambitious, like his father, restrained in the manifestation of sensual impulses, but loves his father and sister very much. Married to the "little princess" Lisa. did good military career. He philosophizes a lot about life, the meaning and state of his spirit. From which it is clear that he is in some kind of constant search. After the death of his wife, Natasha Rostova saw hope for himself, real girl, and not fake as in secular society and a certain light of future happiness, therefore he was in love with her. Having made an offer to Natasha, he was forced to go abroad for treatment, which served as a real test of their feelings for both. As a result, their wedding fell through. Prince Andrei went to war with Napoleon and was seriously wounded, after which he did not survive and died from a severe wound. Natasha devotedly looked after him until the end of his death.

Bolkonskaya Marya

Daughter of Prince Nikolai and sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. A very meek girl, not beautiful, but kind-hearted and very rich, like a bride. Her inspiration and devotion to religion serve as many examples of kindness and meekness. Unforgettably loves her father, who often mocked her with his ridicule, reproaches and injections. And also loves his brother, Prince Andrei. She did not immediately accept Natasha Rostova as a future daughter-in-law, because she seemed to her too frivolous for her brother Andrei. After all the hardships experienced, she marries Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of Marya is the mother of Leo Tolstoy - Volkonskaya Maria Nikolaevna.

Bezukhovs - counts and countesses

Bezukhov Pierre (Pyotr Kirillovich)

One of the main characters who deserves close attention and the most positive assessment. This character has experienced a lot of mental trauma and pain, possessing in itself a kind and highly noble disposition. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" very often express their love and acceptance of Pierre Bezukhov as a man of very high morals, complacent and a man of a philosophical mind. Lev Nikolayevich loves his hero, Pierre, very much. As a friend of Andrei Bolkonsky, the young Count Pierre Bezukhov is very devoted and responsive. Despite the various intrigues weaving under his nose, Pierre did not become embittered and did not lose his good nature towards people. And by marrying Natalya Rostova, he finally found that grace and happiness that he so lacked in his first wife, Helen. At the end of the novel, his desire to change the political foundations in Russia can be traced, and from afar one can even guess his Decembrist moods. (100%) 4 votes

In the novel "War and Peace" Leo Tolstoy conveyed the author's vision of morals, state of mind and worldview of the advanced stratum of Russian society at the beginning of the 19th century. The problems of the state arise as a result of great world events and become the concern of every conscious citizen. The main characters of the novel "War Peace" are representatives of influential families at the court of the emperor.

Andrey Bolkonsky

The image of a Russian patriot who fell in the fight against the French invaders. He is not attracted by the quiet family life, secular receptions and balls. The officer takes part in every military campaign of Alexander I. The husband of Kutuzov's niece, he becomes the adjutant of the famous general.

In the battle of Schoenberg, he raises soldiers to attack, carrying a fallen banner, as real hero. In the battle of Austerlitz, Bolkonsky is wounded and captured, released by Napoleon. In the battle of Borodino, a shell fragment hits the stomach of a brave warrior. The ladle died in agony in the arms of his beloved girl.

Tolstoy showed a man life priorities which are public duty, military prowess and honor of uniform. Representatives of the Russian aristocracy have always been the bearers of the moral values ​​of monarchical power.

Natasha Rostova

The young countess grew up in luxury, surrounded by parental care. noble education and excellent education could provide the girl with a profitable game, fun life in the high society. The war changed the carefree Natasha, who suffered a loss dear people.

Having married Pierre Bezukhov, she became a mother of many children, who found peace in family worries. Leo Tolstoy created a positive image of the Russian noblewoman, patriot and homemaker. The author is critical of the fact that after giving birth to four children, Natasha stopped taking care of herself. The author wants to see a woman unfading, fresh and well-groomed throughout her life.

Maria Bolkonskaya

The princess was raised by her father, a contemporary of Potemkin and a friend of Kutuzov, Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky. old general attached importance to education, especially the study of technical sciences. The girl knew geometry and algebra, spent many hours reading books.

The father was strict and biased, he tormented his daughter with lessons, demonstrating his love and care in this way. Marya sacrificed her young years as a sacrifice to her parent's old age, she was by his side until his last days. She replaced the mother of her nephew Nikolenka, trying to surround him with parental tenderness.

Maria met her fate during the war in the person of the savior Nikolai Rostov. Their relationship developed for a long time, both did not dare to take the first step. The gentleman was younger than his lady, this embarrassed the girl. The princess had a large inheritance of the Bolkonskys, which stopped the guy. They got it good family.

Pierre Bezukhov

The young man was educated abroad, he was allowed to return to Russia at the age of twenty. Elite accepted young man wary, because he was the illegitimate son of a nobleman. However, before his death, his father asked the king to recognize Pierre as the legitimate heir.

In an instant, Bezukhov became a count and the owner of a huge fortune. Inexperienced, slow and trusting Pierre was used in selfish intrigues, he was quickly married to his daughter by Prince Vasily Kuragin. The hero had to go through the pain of betrayal, the humiliation of his wife's lovers, a duel, Freemasonry and drunkenness.

The war cleansed the count's soul, saved him from empty mental ordeals, radically changed his worldview. Having gone through fire, captivity and the loss of dear people, Bezukhov found the meaning of life in family values, in the ideas of new post-war political reforms.

Illarion Mikhailovich Kutuzov

The personality of Kutuzov is a key figure in the events of 1812 because he commanded the army defending Moscow. Leo Tolstoy in the novel Vaughn and the World presented his vision of the character of the general, his assessment of his actions and decisions.

The commander looks like a kind, fat old man who, with his experience and knowledge of large battles, is trying to lead Russia out of a difficult retreat situation. The battle of Borodino and the surrender of Moscow was a cunning military combination that led to victory over the French army.
The author described the famous Kutuzov as an ordinary person, a slave to his weaknesses, who has experience and wisdom accumulated over long years life. The general is an example of an army commander who takes care of the soldiers, worries about their uniforms, allowances and sleep.

Leo Tolstoy tried through the image of the main characters of the novel to convey the difficult fate of the representatives high society Russia, which survived the European military storm of the early 19th century. Then a generation of Decembrists was formed, who would initiate new reforms, the result would be the abolition of serfdom.

The main feature that unites all the heroes is patriotism, love for the motherland, respect for parents.