"Poltava": a short summary of the historical poem of Pushkin

The work was written by A. Pushkin in 1828. Working on it, the poet addressed both official historical sources, and to legends, folk dumas and songs. The author did not just give the poem the name "Poltava". Pushkin (a brief explanation of the reasons for writing this work can be found in some biographical studies) I wanted to tell you about such an ambiguous historical event as the Battle of Poltava. At the same time, Poltava became an innovative product.

A. Pushkin, Poltava: summary

Within a single work Pushkin combined several personal and political themes that excited the people of his era. The action of the poem takes place in the Ukrainian city of Poltava. The summary refers readers to the events of 1709. In those days there was a war between Russia and Sweden. But the poem does not begin with politics, but with the personal drama of Ivan Mazepa. The Ukrainian hetman sends matchmakers to Mary, the beautiful and proud daughter of Colonel Kochubei. But the girl's parents are outraged by Mazepa's actions, because Maria is the hetman's goddaughter. In addition, the alleged bridegroom is twice as old as the bride. Despite the opinion of the parents, Maria runs to Mazepa, because she has long been in love with him. Nevertheless, Kochubei intends to take revenge on the hetman.

Then the poem "Poltava", the brief content of which misses some details, tells that many in Ukraine wanted to take the side of Sweden, having terminated "ties" with Russia. Soon Mazepa joined the group. About the plans of the hetman to join Sweden learned Kochubei and decided to inform Peter about it. The colonel found a man who agreed to convey everything to the Russian emperor. The man named was a Poltava Cossack, once enamored of Kochubei's daughter, but rejected by her.

After some time Russian grandees send a hetman a denunciation to him, written in the city of Poltava. Summary notes that Peter did not believe the denunciation at first. Mazepa, in turn, demands the execution of informers. The poem "Poltava", the summary of which is incapable of conveying the author's inimitable language, tells about Kochubey being in prison. He is frightened by the shame and the fact that the king did not believe him. In the dungeon Kochubey enters Orlik, hoping to learn about the treasures hidden by the colonel. Kochubei does not even think about telling about this and soon finds himself in the hands of the executioner.

Mazepa says nothing to his beloved Mary about the execution of her father. This daughter Kochubei learns from his mother, who begs Mary to ask the hetman for mercy. But when women resort to the place of execution, Kochubei is already dead. Next, Pushkin describes the vicissitudes of the Battle of Poltava. During the battle, Mazepa and Karl see that their strength is not enough. Orlik even offers the hetman to return to Peter. But Mazepa does not want to do this, because he hates the Russian Tsar and dreams of revenge for his humiliation. Nevertheless, Karl and Mazeppa are defeated. They are forced to flee. At the end of the poem, Mazepa meets with the distraught Maria. Hetman is depressed, but he sets out on the road.

Despite the genius of the poem described, she describes Mazepa rather one-sidedly. First of all, he appears in the role of "villain." Nevertheless, Pushkin managed to create a vivid and memorable image.