Philosophical lyrics, its main features, the main representatives

Lyrics - a kind of literature that is characterized mainly by the expression of the thoughts, feelings and emotions of the subject, gravitates toward a poetic form. The well-known literary critic A.N. Veselovsky has a theory that the lyrics come from an ancient ritual choir. In most lyrical works there is no event series, in other words, the lyrics focus not on actions, but on their experience. In modern literary criticism, philosophical lyricism is distinguished, civil, love, landscape. About the first variety, we'll talk in more detail.

Philosophical Lyrics

In works of this kind, the predominant motives are reflections on the meaning of life, on how the universe is arranged, what place in nature and space is occupied by man. For this genre is characterized by an in-depth psychology, the desire of the lyrical hero to self-knowledge, self-discovery. On the whole, the metaphorical attitude is traced. Often poems are built on the basis of allegory. Philosophical Lyrics Pays close attention to the eternal questions of being. Such ideas can be submitted in a veiled form, and openly declared by the author.

Representatives of

Philosophical lyrics were a favorite genre of such great poets as A.S. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, F.I. Tyutchev, V.S. Soloviev, A.A. Fet. Let's consider some of them separately.

Tyutchev's poems: philosophical lyrics

As the first Russian poet, who placed the questions of the world order at the forefront, the literary critics call Tyutchev. It is characteristic that for his lyrical hero is not inherent in following any particular position, he tries to find himself, to determine his place in the universe. Pantheism, that is, the deification of nature - one of the most striking features of creativity Tyutchev. All his works are divided into three periods. In the 1830s and 1860s, the lyrical hero assesses himself as part of a huge, powerful force, animates the elements, and strives to merge with them. By the end of the 1960s, motifs of fatigue, confusion, and unbelief have been growing. The person in Tyutchev feels his insignificance, helplessness. However, since 1971, the poet overcomes these sentiments and finds the strength to make peace.

A.S. Pushkin

When analyzing this genre, it is necessary to emphasize the huge place occupied by Pushkin's philosophical lyrics. His poems reflect all human states: from an idle, reckless youth to a harmonious flowering of maturity. Throughout his life the poet never stopped looking for answers to the fundamental questions. Such topics as the connection of generations, the change of epochs, the role of the creator in society go through all of his work. In Pushkin's early philosophical poems, Batyushkov's strong influence is noticeably strong: the enjoyment of life, Epicureanism, all the pleasures of youth, is what makes life worth living. However, in a few years there is a turning point. Byron and Napoleon are the new idols of the young man. It is natural that the poetry reflects his new ideals: the futility, senselessness of human existence, the all-embracing loneliness of every person. Nevertheless, in maturity, the poet managed to find harmony: death for him is not the end, but only one link in an endless cycle.