Old Russian literature - what is it? Works of Old Russian Literature

Old Russian literature - what is it? The works of the 11th-17th centuries include not only literary works, but also historical texts (chronicles and chronicles), travel descriptions (called walking), lifestyles (narrations about the lives of saints), teachings, messages, samples of the oratorical genre, and Some texts of business content. The themes of Old Russian literature, as you can see, are very rich. In all works there are elements of emotional illumination of life, artistic creativity.

Authorship

In school, students learn what Old Russian literature is, and outline the basic concepts. They probably know that most of the works relating to this period, did not preserve the author's names. Literature of Ancient Rus is basically anonymous and therefore similar to oral folk art. The texts were written by hand and distributed through correspondence and copying, which was often processed to correspond to new literary tastes, the political situation, and also in connection with the literary abilities and personal preferences of copyists. Therefore, the works have reached us in different editions and versions. Comparative analysis of them helps researchers to restore the history of a particular monument and draw a conclusion about which of the variants is closest to the original source, the author's text, and also to trace the history of its change.

Sometimes, in very rare cases, we have the author's version, and often in the later lists one can find the closest to the original monuments of ancient Russian literature. Therefore, they should be studied on the basis of all available versions of the works. They are available in major city libraries, museums, archives. Many texts have been preserved in a large number of lists, some in a limited number. The only option is, for example, "The Tale of Grief-Evil", "The Teaching" by Vladimir Monomakh, "The Lay of Igor's Host".

"Label" and repeatability

It is necessary to note such a feature of the ancient Russian literature as the repeatability in different texts relating to different epochs, certain characteristics, situations, epithets, metaphors, comparisons. Works are inherent in the so-called etiquette: the hero behaves or acts in one way or another, because he follows the concepts of his time about how to behave in different circumstances. And events (for example, battles) are described with the use of constant forms and images.

Literature of the 10th century

We continue to talk about what Old Russian literature is. Outline the main points if you are afraid of forgetting something. The literature of Ancient Rus is majestic, solemn, traditional. Its origins date back to the 10th century, more precisely to its end, when, after the adoption of Christianity, historical and official texts written in the Church Slavonic language began to appear in Russia as a state religion. Through the mediation of Bulgaria (which was the source of these works), Ancient Rus was associated with the developed literature of Byzantium and the southern Slavs. The feudal state, headed by Kiev to realize its interests, it was necessary to create their own texts, introduce new genres. With the help of literature, the education of patriotism, the affirmation of the political and historical unity of the people and the ancient Russian princes, the denunciation of their strife was planned.

Literature 11 - early 13 centuries.

The themes and tasks of the literature of this period (the struggle against the Polovtsi and the Pechenegs - external enemies, the issues of the connection between Russian history and the world, the struggle for the Kiev throne of princes, the history of the state's emergence) determined the character of the style of the time that DS Likhachev called monumental historicism. The emergence of chronicle in our country is associated with the beginning of national literature.

We also note a work that can be found in the textbook "Old Russian Literature" (Grade 6). This "Tale of Bygone Years", which came to us as part of later chronicles. It was compiled by a publicist and historian by the monk Nestor in about 1113. At the heart of the story are the early annalistic vaults that have not survived. The textbook "Old Russian Literature" (Grade 6) also includes another interesting work of that time - "The Legend of Kozhemyak."

11th century

This century dates the first lives: Theodosius of Pechersky, Boris and Gleb. They are distinguished by attention to the problems of modernity, literary excellence, vitality.

Patriotism, the maturity of socio-political thought, publicism and high skill marked the monuments of oratory "Word of Law and Grace," written by Illarion in the first half of the 11th century, "Words and Teachings" by Kirill Turovsky (1130-1182). The "teaching" of the Grand Duke of Kiev, Vladimir Monomakh, who lived from 1053 to 1125, is imbued with deep humanity and concern for the destiny of the state.

"The Lay of Igor's Host"

Without mentioning this work can not do without, when the topic of the article is Old Russian literature. What is "The Lay of Igor's Host?" This is the greatest work of Ancient Rus, created by an unknown author in the 80s of the 12th century. The text is devoted to a specific topic - an unsuccessful campaign in the Polovtsian steppe in 1185 by Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich. The author is interested not only in the fate of the Russian land, he also recalls the events of the present and the distant past, so the real heroes of the "Word" are not Igor and not Sviatoslav Vsevolodovich, who also pays much attention to the work, and the Russian land, the people - what is based on Old Russian literature. "Word" has many features associated with the narrative traditions of its time. But, as in any brilliant creation, there are also original features in it that are manifested in rhythmic refinement, linguistic wealth, the use of techniques characteristic of oral folk art, and their rethinking, civic pathos and lyricism.

National-patriotic theme

It is raised in the period of the Horde yoke (from 1243 to the end of the 15th century) Old Russian literature. What is patriotism in the works of this time? We will try to answer this question. The style of monumental historicism acquires a certain expressive connotation: texts differ in lyricism, they have a tragic pathos. The idea of a strong centralized princely power acquires at this time great importance. In separate stories and chronicles (for example, in "The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan Batu") is reported on the horrors of the invasion of the enemy and brave struggle with the enslavers of the Russian people. This is the manifestation of patriotism. The image of the defender of the earth, the ideal prince, was reflected most clearly in the work written in the seventies of the 13th century "A Tale of the Life of Alexander Nevsky."

Before the reader of the "Words about the death of the Russian land," a picture opens up of the greatness of nature, the power of the princes. This work is only an excerpt from the text that has come down to us not completely. It is dedicated to the events of the first half of the 13th century - the hard time of the Horde yoke.

New style: expressive and emotional

In the period 14-50-ies. Old Russian literature is changing in the 15th century. What is the expressive-emotional style that emerged at this time? It reflects the ideology and events of the period of unification of northeast Russia around Moscow and the formation of a centralized Russian state. Then the interest in the personality, in the psychology of man, in his inner spiritual world (although only within the framework of religious consciousness) began to appear in the literature. This led to an increase in the works of the subjective beginning.

So there was a new style - expressive and emotional, in which it is necessary to note verbal sophistication and "weaving of words" (that is, the use of ornamental prose). These new techniques were designed to reflect the desire to portray the feelings of an individual.

In the second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries. There are novels that go back to their novellistic character in oral stories ("The Tale of the Merchant of Basarga", "The Story of Dracula" and others). The number of translated works of a belligerent nature is noticeably increasing, while the genre of legends has a wide spread at that time (for example, "The Tale of the Princes of Vladimir").

"The Story of Peter and Fevronia"

As mentioned above, works of ancient Russian literature borrow some features of legends. In the middle of the 16th century, Ermolai-Erasmus, an Old Russian publicist and writer, created the famous "Story of Peter and Fevronia", which is one of the most significant texts of Russian literature. It is built on the legend of how thanks to his mind a peasant girl became a princess. Widely used in the work of fairy-tale receptions, there are also social motifs.

Characteristics of the literature of the 16th century

In the 16th century the official character of the texts was strengthened, solemnity and splendor became the hallmark of the literature. Distribution is obtained such works, the purpose of which is the regulation of political, spiritual, daily and legal life. A striking example is the Great Chetni Menaie, a collection of texts consisting of 12 volumes that were intended for home reading every month. At the same time, "Domostroy" is created, which sets out the rules of behavior in the family, gives advice on how to manage the economy, and also on the relationship between people. In the historical works of that period, fiction becomes more and more penetrating in order to give the narrative a plot of entertaining.

17th century

Works of Old Russian literature of the 17th century are noticeably transformed. The art of the so-called modern time is beginning to be formed. There is a process of democratization, the subject of works is expanding. The role of the individual in history changes due to the events of the peasant war (late 16th-early 17th centuries), as well as the troubled times. The deeds of Boris Godunov, Ivan the Terrible, Vasily Shuisky and other historical figures are now explained not only by the divine will, but also by the personality traits of each of them. There is a special genre - a democratic satire, where the church and state order, the proceedings (for example, "The Story of Shemyakin Court"), clerical practice ("Kalyazin petition"), are derided.

"Life" Avvakum, household stories

In the 17th century, an autobiographical work written during the period from 1620 to 1682 was written. Protopope Habakkuk - "Life". It is set forth in the textbook "Old Russian Literature" (9th grade). Feature of the text is a juicy, lively language, then colloquially-everyday, then high book.

During this period, there are also created everyday stories about Frol Skobeev, Savva Grudtsyn and others, reflecting the original character of Old Russian literature. There are translated collections of short stories and knightly novels. A poem is developing (known authors are Sylvester Medvedev, Simeon Polotskits, Karion Istomin).

The history of Old Russian literature ends in the 17th century, and the next stage is coming-literature of the new time.