The fool | Dostoevsky

The novel "The Idiot" is one of the most expressive models of Dostoevsky's ability to look into the depths of the human soul. This "idiot" is a prince, from a well-known royal lineage in Russian history, but his personality and life path are completely unlike those princes who command and are obeyed. Rather, he is a kind, simple person, whose emotions can be stirred and influenced just by showing tenderness or expressing need, sadness, or grief... and therefore he appears to society as an "idiot." "Why does nature create the best people only to use them afterwards?... I haven't corrupted anyone... I wanted to live for the happiness of all people... to discover the truth and spread it... what was the result? Nothing! The result is that you despise me, and that is proof that I am a fool." These are the words with which Prince Mishkin speaks about himself, a soul that seems weak in the face of human tyranny, foolish in front of cunning, simple before boastfulness, absent in front of hypocrisy, fragile before injustice. Yet, it is also magnificent, strong, and capable regarding feelings of goodness, love, and friendship. "The Idiot" is one of Dostoevsky's great human models.