War and Peace · Character
Prince Vasíli Kurágin
Also known as Vasíli, Vasili Kuragin, Prince Vasíli
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1
A dignified Russian aristocrat with a bald, shining head and a broad, flat face, dressed in an embroidered court uniform or a long formal coat bearing stars on the breast, with knee breeches and shoes. His cheeks are heavy and flabby, prone to twitching, and wrinkles gather around his mouth; his expression shifts from serene and self-possessed to sly, alarmed, or coarse and unpleasant. His eyes can appear unusually large when he is distressed.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1
- Books
- 1
Description
A dignified Russian aristocrat with a bald, shining head and a broad, flat face, dressed in an embroidered court uniform or a long formal coat bearing stars on the breast, with knee breeches and shoes. His cheeks are heavy and flabby, prone to twitching, and wrinkles gather around his mouth; his expression shifts from serene and self-possessed to sly, alarmed, or coarse and unpleasant. His eyes can appear unusually large when he is distressed.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Pierre Bezúkhovconflicting source relationships
Prince Vasíli engineers Pierre’s marriage to Hélène and treats Pierre with calculated affection, invoking his obligations and managing social occasions to bring the match about.
- AK
Anatole Kuráginfather and son
Anatole is identified as Prince Vasíli’s son. In this passage, their relationship is not directly active, but Anatole’s family connection is part of the background to his conduct and standing.
- C
Catichecousins
They argue over the count’s will and the inheritance. Vasíli pressures Catiche to help locate the papers, ostensibly in the family’s interest, while she suspects deceit.
- HK
Hélène Kuráginafather and daughter
Prince Vasíli is Hélène’s father and attends her after her death; he and the old count challenge the Italian physician over her treatment.
- HK
Hippolyte Kuráginfather and son
Hippolyte is Vasíli’s son; Vasíli describes him as a quiet fool, contrasting him with the more troublesome Anatole.
- BD
Borís Drubetskóirecommender and prospective patron
Borís invokes a letter from Prince Vasíli in seeking advancement, hoping the prince’s recommendation will help him obtain a desirable military post.
- CK
Count Kiríl Vladímirovich Bezúkhovconnected through Hélène’s death
After Hélène dies, Prince Vasíli and the old count turn on the Italian physician, though they drop the matter when he produces her letters.
Princess Mary Bolkónskayaprospective matchmaker and prospective bride
Vasíli considers arranging Mary’s marriage to Anatole because she is wealthy and, as Anna Pávlovna reports, unhappy with her father.
- AM
Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáyaconflicting source relationships
She invokes her father’s past friendship with Vasíli and presses him to use his influence for Borís; Vasíli ultimately promises to help.
- AP
Anna Pávlovna Schérersalon allies and longtime acquaintances
Vasíli visits his 'good friend' Anna Pávlovna and participates in her salon's patriotic discussions, though he sometimes confuses its views with those of Hélène's circle.
- MI
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutúzovcourt politician and commander in chief
Vasíli first criticizes Kutúzov as unfit, then publicly celebrates his appointment and claims the commander is highly regarded by the sovereign.
- PN
Prince Nicholas Andréevich Bolkónskimarriage negotiators with mutual distrust
Prince Vasíli seeks a match between Anatole and Mary, while the old prince holds him in contempt and insists that Mary choose freely.
Story so far
BOOK 1War and Peace
Key events
- Book 1
Ch. 24Count Bezúkhov's Death and Pierre's InheritanceCount Kiríl Vladímirovich Bezúkhov dies after a series of strokes; Pierre is recognized as his legitimate heir. - Book 1
Ch. 51Pierre Marries HélèneUnder social pressure from Prince Vasíli and Anna Pávlovna, Pierre proposes to and marries Hélène Kurágina.
Appearances
Meet Prince Vasíli Kurágin in Bookworm
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