Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov

Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov (Russian: Родиóн Ромáнович Раскóльников) is the fictional protagonist of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The name Raskolnikov derives from the Russian raskolnik meaning "schismatic" (traditionally referring to a member of the Old Believer movement). The name "Rodion" comes from Greek, which means a dweller of Rhodes.

Raskolnikov is a young ex-student of law living in extreme poverty in Saint Petersburg. He lives in a tiny garret which he rents, although due to a lack of funds has been avoiding payment for quite some time (he claims the room aggravates his depression). He sleeps on a couch using old clothes as a pillow, and due to lack of money eats very rarely, although the landlady sometimes sends her servant into his room with food. He is frequently referred to as a former student because he doesn't have the money to finish his education. Emotionally, physically (due to lack of food) and financially stressed, his behaviour in public becomes progressively more erratic through the book as madness gradually consumes him. Raskolnikov fluctuates between extremes of altruism and apathy. He is described by the narrator as "extremely handsome" and many other characters in the work state that he is very intelligent. He is devoted to his sister (Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova) and his mother (Pulkheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova).