The exploits of Alyosha Popovich and Dobryni Nikitich: summary

The heroic image of the heroes is a feature of the Russian epic. The exploits of Alyosha Popovich and Dobryni Nikitich are described in many legends and reflect the whole layer of the world view of the period of Kievan Rus. In this article, we will deal with those who are such heroes, and also learn what some of these knights are famous for.

The ancient bogatyrs

In the epics are mentioned such words as "hero" and "knight". Let's get to the bottom of their origins.

Researchers have not yet come to a single agreement, so there are several versions. Bogatyr has similar in sounding analogues in the Prairie language ("lucky"), in Mongolian ("bagadur" - "brave man, brave horseman").

The knight, presumably, comes from the verb "to beat," that is, means "warrior". According to the second version, this is the word "Viking", modified in the Slavic manner.

The bogatyrs are divided into two classifications by researchers.

The first singles out the elders, juniors and bogatyrs of Kievan Rus. The first include knights embodying hostile forces. They are Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich, Polkan, Ivan Kolyvanovich, Samson and some others.

The younger ones already have a human face, without the ability to change their form, in contrast to the older ones. They include Nightingale, Churila, Duke.

The basis of the epic about the Kiev heroes is the exploits of Alyosha Popovich and Dobryni Nikitich. Also mentioned are Ilya Muromets, Mikhailo Potok, Ivan Gostiniy son and others.

The second classification is based on periods - the pre-Tartar period, the Tatar and Moscow. In it, the same knights are located in a slightly different order.

Who is Dobrynia Nikitich?

The life and exploits of Dobryni Nikitich are described in many epics. It refers to the period of Kievan Rus and is depicted as a servant knight under Prince Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko.

It is believed that his wife took the daughter of Mikula Selyaninovich Nastasya.

It is noteworthy that among all the heroes of this era he is in the closest relationship with the princely family. He performs not only military assignments, but also diplomatic missions, and also collects and delivers the tribute.

In addition, Dobrynya often performs such tasks, which the remaining knights refuse.

By popularity, he is in second place, after Ilya Muromets, and is often portrayed in the role of his companion.

Judging by the legends, Dobrynya discovered early in his life that he was "heroically strong." Next, we'll get acquainted with his services, but the most distinguishable are the three exploits of Dobryni Nikitich. Combat with the Serpent, battle with the Danube Ivanovich and help in the extraction of the bride Prince Vladimir.

Origin of the image

Researchers of the Russian epic tend to believe that this image is collective. Nevertheless, many argue that it is built on several prototypes of real historical figures.

The main argument in favor of the high ranking of this bogatyr is "vedost", which is repeatedly mentioned in the songs. By this word, our ancestors denoted courtesy, the ability to find a common language, diplomatic gift.

Judging by the byliny, his father is Ryazan voevod Nikita. However, researchers of the Slavic epic believe that the prototype of Dobryny was Prince Vladimir's uncle Krasno Solnyshko, the brother of his mother Malushi. This governor was called the same as the epic hero.

One of the facts that can prove the plausibility of the version is as follows: in the annals it is indicated that the Novgorodians were forcibly baptized, in some bylinas this moment is correlated with the time when Dobrynya Nikitich lived.

Combat with the Snake Gorynych

The first feat of Dobryni Nikitich has a plot similar to many legends of the ancient world. The battle with the dragon, the serpent, the original evil is taking place in the myths of different peoples.

So, what do we know from the epic?

Feeling the awakening power, Dobrynya began to "walk on the pole." One day he told his mother that he wanted to go to the river Pochayna. According to legend, she possessed an unusual property. There were two streams in it, which moved in opposite directions and cut everyone who tried to swim.

There the hero meets the Snake Gorynych. The battle begins, and after the victory of the knight, the monster promises never to attack the Russian land again and rob the villages. But according to the classical canons of the genre, the Serpent immediately violates this word. He kidnaps the daughter of the Kiev prince Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko.

Then the knight already acts on the orders of the ruler. In general, the exploits of Alyosha Popovich and Dobryni Nikitich are often campaigns at the request or request of the prince.

Having received magic things from his mother (chain mail, sword-kladenets, mighty warhorse), the hero finds the lair of a snake. There he is confronted by younger dragons, whom he easily wins.

The battle with Gorynych dragged on for three days. When the forces were already leaving the knight, he heard a voice from heaven, who said that it was necessary to hold out for another three hours. Having stood the battle, Dobrynya threw the monster, but nearly drowned in his blood. He was saved because the earth parted and absorbed everything.

Further, he releases not only the princess, but also many children of the rulers of neighboring states.

Fight with Dunayev Ivanovich

In this epic is shown the confrontation between Kiev and neighboring tribes. The Danube is a tragic image in the Russian epic. Once this bogatyr served the Lithuanian prince, but, having fallen into disfavor, he left for Russia. In the tale of the wedding of the bride for Vladimir, it is said that the Danube also takes her sister Nastasya, whom he once felt.

But at the wedding the heroes began to compete in archery, and the Danube accidentally killed Nastasya. When he finds out that she was pregnant, she throws herself onto her sword. The legend says that the Danube River was formed from his blood .

Bylin about the battle of this Lithuanian with Dobrynya tells about the events that took place before the match. The plot is as follows. The Kiev hero went on the field and saw a velvet tent on which was inscription that anyone who approaches it will die.

Dobrynya became angry, drank wine from the tent and destroyed it. Himself fell asleep in this place. The returned Danube decided to punish the offender. He awakened the knight, and they fought for several days. At first, they cut down all the weapons, after they fought hand-to-hand.

According to one version, Ilya Muromets reconciled them, on the other - they went to the court to Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko. The prince, after listening to both, acquitted Dobrynia and planted the Danube in the cellar for threatening his hero.

Who is Alyosha Popovich?

The next most popular epic hero is Alyosha, the son of Popovich. His father is considered a priest from Rostov Levonty, however, sometimes he is called Fedor.
The story of Alesha Popovich is mentioned in two epics, where he acts as the main character. In others, he is a secondary participant or mentioned in passing.

If you do not take into account the two legends about his exploits, basically this knight is a controversial, and often a negative character. Many researchers draw parallels between him and Volgo Svyatoslavich.

Thus, Alyosha Popovich's description, which emerges from the stories, does not quite correspond to the image of the "hero of the Russian land."

The only epic in which this lame and not a great power warrior is shown in a positive role is the legend of his battle with Tugarin. About it we'll talk further.

Alyosha and Tugarin

Similar in content of epic - about the battle of this knight with the Skim-beast. In fact, it reproduces exactly all the main points of the legend about the victory over Tugarin.

The plot of the legend is as follows. Alyosha comes with his skillful and agile servant Ekim to Kiev to Vladimir. Here at the feast he meets Tugarin, who "puts his head on the chest of the princess". Seeing the gluttony and greed of the snake, Alyosha begins to ridicule him. First he compares the warrior to the dog of his father, who from greed choked with bone and died down, later - with a cow.

Offended Tugarin throws a knife into it, but Ekim catches him on the fly. Further, Alyosha summons the enemy to battle "in the open field".

Judging by the epic, he wins with God's help and with the use of cunning.
At first Tugarin flew on "paper wings", but Alyosha prayed in the temple and it began to rain. After the serpent had fallen, the knight approached him and said: "Why did you bring with you such a large force?"

When Tugarin turned to see what the bogatyr had in mind, the latter cut off his head. In this scene, the character of Alyosha Popovich is shown: the warrior often sought his strength, not by force, but by cunning. Something his image is similar to the image of Odyssey from Homer.

What do the researchers say?

If you look at the exploits of Alyosha Popovich, a brief summary of which can be found in many collections of epics, we will see some features of the image.

On the one hand, the researchers are inclined to believe that the historical prototype of the hero was the Rostovite Alexander Popovich. Boyar, who was in the service of Prince Vsevolod, and later - from his son Constantine.

After Yuri sits on the throne in 1281, Alexander leaves for Kiev to Mstislav and dies in the battle of Kalka.

Studying the exploits of Alyosha Popovich (a summary or full text bylina), one can see his arrogant and contemptuous attitude towards Prince Vladimir and the Kiev nobility.

Often he calls them "pimps," and in these tales often depicted extramarital links heroes with boyar, princely and provincial wives.

This suggests that the exploits of Alesha Popovich and Dobryni Nikitich are described in different periods of time. When they occur in the same epic, this indicates only the later origin of the legend.

The image of athletes in culture

The characteristics of Alyosha Popovich, Dobryni Nikitich, Ilya Muromets and many other heroes inspire many writers, artists, composers and directors.
For example, Alyosha is depicted in the pictures of Vasnetsov, Vereshchagin, Vasilyev. He is mentioned in the ballad of Tolstoy AK

Modern creators of cartoons also use this epic image.

Speaking about Dobryn Nikitich, all that was mentioned above should be added that in his honor the island was named in the archipelago of Nordenskiold, the mountain in the Kuril ridge and several ships.