Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov
An impoverished former student whose murder tests an idea of exceptional moral permission.
Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova
Sonia, a young woman driven into sex work to support her family and the recipient of Raskolnikov's confession.
Porfiry Petrovich
The examining magistrate who uses conversation, timing, and psychological pressure rather than simple physical proof.
Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin
Raskolnikov's loyal friend, practical caretaker, and eventual husband of Dunya.
Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova
Dunya, Raskolnikov's strong-willed sister, pursued by both Luzhin and Svidrigailov.
Pulcheria Alexandrovna
Raskolnikov and Dunya's devoted mother.
Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov
Dunya's former employer, a morally unbound double to Raskolnikov who learns his secret.
Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin
Dunya's calculating fiancé, who wants a dependent wife and later frames Sonia.
Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov
Sonia's alcoholic father, whose suffering first draws Raskolnikov into the family's life.
Katerina Ivanovna
Marmeladov's proud, ill, desperate wife and mother of three children.
Alyona Ivanovna
The pawnbroker Raskolnikov chooses as his intended victim.
Lizaveta Ivanovna
Alyona's gentle half-sister, murdered only because she unexpectedly witnesses the crime.
Nikolai
A house painter whose false confession temporarily disrupts Porfiry's strategy.
Andrei Semyonovich Lebezyatnikov
Luzhin's roommate, whose eyewitness testimony exposes the attempt to frame Sonia.