Markel Character Analysis in The Brothers Karamazov

The older brother of Zosima. He was eight years older than his brother, who was called Zinovy in childhood. As a boy, Markel was “hot-tempered and irritable by nature, but kind, not given to mockery, and strangely silent,” especially when he was at home. He was a good student, but didn’t make friends with his classmates. He instead developed a close relationship with a great scholar and distinguished professor who was exiled to their town from Moscow for “freethinking.” Similarly, Markel was an atheist who refused to obey the customs of religious traditions. He was tall and good-looking, but “thin and sickly.” He died in the third week of Easter of consumption, or tuberculosis, when Zinovy was still a boy.

Markel Character Timeline in The Brothers Karamazov

The timeline below shows where the character Markel appears in The Brothers Karamazov. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...with “a small wooden house” and a bit of money. Zinovy’s older brother’s name was Markel, who was eight years older, “hot-tempered and irritable by nature.” Otherwise, he was kind, silent,... (full context)

When Lent came around, Markel refused to fast and then announced that there was no God. This horrified the family... (full context)

...older brother still got out of bed, dressed, and tried to sit in his armchair. Markel seemed glad and discouraged his mother from weeping. He said that, if he were to... (full context)

One day, Zinovy (Zosima) went into Markel’s room alone. The evening was bright, and the sun was setting. Markel told his younger... (full context)

Zinovy (Zosima) then remembered his brother Markel’s last words to the servants before he died. He asked them why they were serving... (full context)