War and Peace · Character
Alexei Arakcheev
Also known as Arakcheev
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 168
Arakcheev has the unnerving intensity of a man who seems always to be measuring the room. His excited face, lowered gaze, and red nose make him hard to overlook, while his reputation for cold precision lends his presence a forbidding edge.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 168
- Books
- 1
Arakcheev emerges as a stern instrument of imperial authority, a figure Alexander relies upon to preserve order, as Davout serves Napoleon. Formerly Minister of War, he becomes a faithful and exacting custodian of the sovereign's will, feared for his cruelty as much as his precision. He moves through the machinery of power—from committees to the front—with the same rigid purpose, and remains a potent presence in the political world surrounding the war.
Description
Arakcheev is marked by an excited, severe face and a red nose, which he conspicuously sniffs as he looks from beneath his brow. The text gives no clear account of his height, build, hair, or eye color, so those details should remain unspecified. His bearing is rigid and watchful, suited to the formal world of imperial service; the novel does not establish particular garments or accessories.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Alexander I of Russiapowerful adviser and subordinate
Arakcheev holds a powerful position near Alexander. The narration contrasts his harshness and fearfulness with the emperor’s chivalrous and gentle character.
Mikhail Balashëvcourt and military colleagues
At the fête, Arakcheev sees the emperor leave with Balashëv and appears jealous that important news reached Alexander through Balashëv rather than through himself.
Prince Andrew Bolkónskimilitary reformer and minister reviewing his proposal
Andrew presents a proposed reform of army regulations to Arakcheev, who dismisses it as unsound and refers it to a committee while recommending Andrew as an unpaid member.
- MI
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutúzovcommander in chief and imperial intermediary
Arakcheev conveys the Emperor’s wishes about appointing Ermólov chief of artillery. Kutúzov outwardly agrees, despite having just expressed a different view.
Story so far
BOOK 1War and Peace
Appearances
Meet Alexei Arakcheev in Bookworm
Meet Alexei Arakcheev in your EPUB — spoiler-safe to the book you're on.