Russian Folktales · Chapter
The Soldier and Death explained
A discharged soldier, after serving God and the Tsar for twenty-five years, volunteers to spend a night in a haunted palace plagued by devils.
What happens
A discharged soldier, after serving God and the Tsar for twenty-five years, volunteers to spend a night in a haunted palace plagued by devils. He outwits the devils at cards, traps them in his nosebag, and has them beaten by smiths. He later forces a devil to give him a magical glass that reveals Death's position, which he uses to heal the sick. When the Tsar falls ill, the soldier bargains with Death, eventually trapping Death in his nosebag and causing a kingdom where no one dies. After releasing Death, he seeks entry into hell but is refused by the devils who fear his nosebag.
Themes in this chapter
Trickery and Cunning
The soldier uses his wits to defeat devils at cards, trap them in a nosebag, and later trap Death itself.
Fate and Divine Justice
The soldier's manipulation of Death disrupts the natural order, leading to a kingdom where no one dies, and he ultimately seeks punishment for his sins.
Good vs. Evil
The soldier confronts and overcomes demonic forces, but his actions also create moral dilemmas regarding life and death.
Characters to notice
- The Soldier
A discharged soldier who outwits devils, traps Death, and becomes an enchanter.
- The Tsar
The ruler who tests the soldier by sending him to the haunted palace and later becomes ill.
- The Devil
An old devil who is trapped by the soldier, forced to serve him, and later gives him a magical glass.
- Death
Personified Death who is trapped in the soldier's nosebag and later released.
- The Old Woman
An ancient woman who pleads with the soldier to release Death so she can die.
Key passages
“I served God and the Great Sovereign five-and-twenty years, and never died of it; and, for one night's service for you, I am to die! No!”
The soldier refuses to be executed for refusing a dangerous task, arguing that he survived 25 years of service.
Highlights the soldier's defiance and sense of justice.
“Well, if it is a nosebag, then jump into it!”
The soldier tricks Death into entering his bag by asking what it is.
Key moment where the soldier traps Death using the same trick he used on the devils.
“Go away wherever you will—there is no room for you here.”
The devils refuse to let the soldier into hell because they fear his nosebag.
Shows the soldier's reputation precedes him even in the underworld.