War and Peace Characters: Complete Analysis

War and Peace features complex characters representing different aspects of society, each embodying themes of the novel.

Pierre Bezukhov is the awkward illegitimate son who inherits a fortune and searches for meaning. Andrei Bolkonsky is the cynical prince seeking glory. Natasha Rostova is the young, passionate woman whose choices affect everyone. Nikolai Rostov is Natasha's brother and soldier. Sonya loves Nikolai unrequitedly. Napoleon and Kutuzov are actual historical figures.