The first face-to-face view we get of Shamil portrays him as being a pretty chill guy. He seems to just want to get this whole business over with so he can return to his family and normal life. In short, he seems like a simplistic and amiable dude. But then theres the contrast of his treatment towards Hadji Murad's son, who actually likes him and is opposed to his father's nonsense, that really throws off the reader. He orders Hadji Murad's son to write a letter to Hadji Murad that would entail a threat to kill off his family if he does not join Shamil again. However, he seems to not think that he is taking to much and instead, being sympathetic when he reassures Hadji Murad's son that only his eyes would be taken, not his life. The son then proceeds to atempt to kill himself.