Hippolyte Terentyev's Death and Confession

The story of Hippolyte, a dying youth who writes a confession and attempts suicide.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Hippolyte's Arrival

Hippolyte's Arrival The Consumptive Youth Hippolyte, a dying consumptive, comes to stay with the prince. He is bitter and cynical, but also intelligent. His 'Necessary Explanation' He writes a long confession, planning to read it aloud and then shoot himself.

The Reading

The Reading The Confession Hippolyte reads his confession to the assembled guests, detailing his despair and his plan to commit suicide. The audience is uncomfortable. The Failed Suicide He attempts to shoot himself but forgets to put a cap on the pistol. The attempt fails, and he becomes a figure of ridicule.

Death

Death Final Days Hippolyte dies about two weeks after Nastasya's murder. His death is quiet, in contrast to his dramatic earlier attempt. Legacy His confession and death leave a mark on the other characters, particularly Myshkin and Kolya.

during the summer at Pavlovsk

the night of the prince's birthday party

a few weeks later