Character traits undersized. Characteristics of the main characters of the work Undergrowth, Fonvizin

Positive actors include Pravdin, Sophia, Starodum and Milon. Each of them supports the ideas of the Enlightenment, considering virtue, honesty, love for the motherland, high morality and education as the main human values.

Their complete opposite is portrayed by negative characters - the Prostakovs, Skotinin and Mitrofan. They are representatives of the "old" nobility, which with all its might clings to the outdated ideas of serf and feudalism. Their core values ​​are money, position in the social hierarchy, and physical strength.

In Fonvizin's play "Undergrowth", the main characters are divided into peculiar dual pairs, in which the author portrays people with similar social roles, but portraying them in a mirror distortion. So, in addition to a couple of "children" - Sophia and Mitrofan, one can distinguish "educators" - Starodum and Prostakov, "grooms" - Milon and Skotinin, as well as "owners" - Prostakov and Pravdin.

Mitrofan is a minor and the main character of the comedy - a spoiled stupid youth of sixteen years old, for whom everything was always done by his mother, nanny or servants. Having adopted love for money, rudeness and disrespect for relatives from his mother (Prostakova is ready to deceive her brother in order to settle a marriage that is beneficial for her), and from his father complete lack of will, he behaves like a small child - he does not want to study, while he finds marriage fun fun. The complete opposite of Mitrofan is Sophia. This is an educated, intelligent and serious girl with a difficult fate. Having lost her parents at an early age and living in the care of the Prostakovs, Sophia does not adopt their values, but, in fact, becomes a “black sheep” in their society (Prostakova even resents that the girl can read).

Prostakova appears to readers on the one hand as an uneducated, cunning woman who is ready for almost anything for the sake of profit, and on the other, as a practical housewife and loving mother, for whom the happiness and carefree future of her son is above all else. Prostakova brought up Mitrofan the way she was brought up, and therefore she could convey and show by her own example outdated ideas and values ​​that had long exhausted themselves.

Starodum has a completely different approach to education - he does not treat Sophia like a small child, talking with her on an equal footing, instructing her and advising her based on his own experience. In the matter of marriage, a man does not undertake to finally decide for a girl, because he does not know whether her heart is free.
In the image of Starodum, Fonvizin portrays his ideal of a parent and educator - an authoritative strong personality who herself has traveled a worthy path. However, analyzing the character system of The Undergrowth from the point of view of the modern reader, it is worth noting that the image of Starodum as an educator is also not ideal. All the time he was away, Sophia was deprived of parental care and left to herself. The fact that the girl learned to read, appreciates morality and virtue is rather the merit of her parents, who instilled this in her at a young age.

In general, the theme of kinship is important both for the positive characters of the play "Undergrowth" and the negative ones. Sophia is the daughter of worthy people, Milon is the son of a good friend Starodum. Prostakova received this surname only after marriage, in fact she is Skotinina. Brother and sister are very similar, they are both driven by greed and cunning, they are not educated and cruel. Mitrofan is depicted as a real son of his parents and a pupil of his uncle, who inherited all their negative traits, including a love for pigs.

Characters whose relationship is not mentioned in the play are Prostakov and Pravdin. Prostakov is fundamentally different from his wife, compared to the active and active Prostakova, he looks weak-willed and passive. In a situation where he must show himself as the owner of the village, the man is lost in the background of his wife. This leads to the fact that the more active Pravdin, who was able to pacify Prostakova, becomes the owner of the lot. In addition, Prostakov and Pravdin act as some kind of "auditors" of what is happening. Pravdin is the voice of the law, while Prostakov is the opinion of a simple (remember the “speaking” names of the play) people who do not like how the “old” nobility in the person of his wife and brother-in-law behaves, but is afraid of their wrath, therefore he speaks only aside and not agreeing.

The last pair of characters is Skotinin and Milon. Men represent old and new ideas about marriage and family life. Milon has known Sophia since childhood, they love each other, and therefore their relationship is based on mutual respect and friendship. Skotinin does not even try to get to know the girl better, he is only concerned about his dowry, and he is not even going to arrange good conditions for her after marriage.

In addition to the main characters, there are secondary characters in the play - the teachers and educators of Mitrofan the underage. The characterization of the characters of the second plan - Eremeevna, Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin and Vralman - is connected with their social role in the play. The nanny is an example of a serf who faithfully serves his mistress all his life, enduring beatings and injustice. On the example of the images of teachers, the author exposes all the problems of education in Russia in the 18th century, when children are taught by retired military men who did not graduate from the seminary or even grooms.

For the 18th century, Fonvizin's innovation consisted in the fact that the author portrayed the characters in The Undergrowth without excessive pathos and stereotypes inherent in many works of classicism. Each comedy hero is undoubtedly a composite image, but created not according to a ready-made “stencil”, but with its own individual features. That is why the characters of the work "Undergrowth" even today remain the brightest images of Russian literature.

This article provides an analysis of the comedy play "Undergrowth", gives a brief summary of the work and features of the characters.

The comedy was written by Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin in 1781.

There are only five acts in the work. Due to the fact that the play was written more than 200 years ago, and the style of the Russian language has changed quite a lot since then, not everyone will be able to read the work in the original.

The main characters of the comedy and their characteristics

Since "Undergrowth" is not a story or novel, but a play, the characters here are the key bearers of the author's ideas.

The main characters are divided into pairs with similar social roles, but opposed to each other.

Children:

• Mitrofan is the main character and undersized. A young representative of the nobility, sixteen years old. Spoiled, weak-willed and irresponsible (note: Undergrowth: a young underage nobleman who did not enter the civil service);
• Sophia is the opposite of Mitrofan. Educated and serious girl. An orphan who lives in the care of the Prostakovs. White crow in the family.

Educators:

• Mrs. Prostakova is the mother of the protagonist. Uneducated and cunning, ready for anything for the sake of profit. On the one hand - a contemptuous fury, on the other - a loving and caring mother. In the work he appears as a “translator” of false and obsolete values;
• Starodum is Sophia's uncle. Authoritative and strong personality. Seriously treats his niece, instructs her and gives advice. In the work he is an example of a good parent and educator. Basic principles of life: a fair state system, full-fledged education of the mind, honor and heart (with the heart in the first place), the main principle of education is one's own positive example.

Owners:

• Prostakov is the father of the protagonist. A weak-willed and passive person. In the play, he appears as the embodiment of a people who are dissatisfied with the orders of the old nobility, but because of fear of him, they behave quietly;
• Pravdin is an official, the embodiment of the law and one of the positive characters.

Grooms:

• Skotinin is Prostakova's brother and Sophia's fiancé, whose only goal is the girl's benefit and dowry. The embodiment of outdated concepts of marriage and family;
• Milon is Sophia's fiancé and her childhood friend. Really loves the girl. The embodiment of new ideas in the areas of family and marriage.

Minor characters

Secondary characters - teacher Mitrofan:

• Eremeevna - Mitrofan's nanny. Devotedly serves the family, despite the humiliation. The embodiment of the image of serfs;
• Tsyfirkin is a mathematics teacher. An honest and hardworking man, a retired military man;
• Kuteikin is a teacher of Russian and Church Slavonic who left the seminary. Satire on poorly educated priests;
• Vralman is a teacher of secular manners. A simple coachman posing as a German.

Brief retelling of the comedy "Undergrowth"

Act one

The Prostakov Manor and the surrounding countryside is the area where the action of The Undergrowth takes place.

The hostess of the family reprimands the servant for the fact that he sewed a caftan for her son Mitrofanushka of poor quality. Her husband supports her.

The Prostakovs are discussing with Skotinin that they want to pass off Sophia as the last.

Sofya says that a letter has come from her uncle Starodum, who has not heard from him for a long time. No one believes her, but when the girl offers to read the letter, it turns out that those present are not literate.

The letter is voiced by Pravdin, who has come in. It states that Starodum bequeathed 10,000 rubles to his niece. The mistress of the house fawns over the girl, wanting to marry Mitrofan to her.

Action two

Officer Milon arrives in the village and meets here an old friend of Pravdin, an official. He says that he has heard about the "evil ignoramuses" and the Prostakovs who mistreat the servants.

Sophia appears. She and Milon rejoice at the meeting. This is followed by Sophia's story that they want to marry her off as Mitrofan. However, Skotinin, passing by them, immediately speaks of his plans to marry a girl.

A conflict is brewing between the three "suitors", but his nanny Eremeevna stands up for Mitrofanushka.

Act Three

Starodum arrives with the aim of "freeing" Sophia from the "ignoramuses". He wants to pass her off as one "worthy person". This news upsets everyone, but after Starodum says that marriage completely depends on the will of Sophia herself.

Prostakova continues to praise her son, while his teachers, meanwhile, complain about his laziness and poor progress. That is why Prostakova persuades her son to study for the sake of appearance - in order to please Uncle Sophia and thereby obtain consent to marriage. However, Mitrofan declares that he does not want to study, but to marry.

act four

Milon's uncle, Count Chesten, sends a letter to Starodum about his desire to marry him to Sophia. And Starodum agrees to the marriage. The couple is happy. Having learned about the wedding, Prostakova takes active steps and tries to interfere with what was planned, hoping to pass off the young heiress to Mitrofan.

Act Five

While Starodum is talking with Pravdin, who was instructed to take care of the Prostakovs' estate and their village at the slightest threat, Prostakov's servants lead the resisting Sophia to the carriage to take Mitrofan to marry.

Milon frees his beloved, and Pravdin takes the estate and the village under his supervision.

Power completely passes to Pravdin, Mitrofan's teachers are dismissed, Skotinin leaves the village. Uncle and Milon with Sophia are preparing to leave.

Prostakova hugs her son and complains that he is the only one she has left. However, he is rude to her and the mother loses consciousness. Pravdin wants to send the undergrowth to the service.

Idioms

Phrases that can be written in the reader's diary:

• “All fault is to blame” and “Ends in the water” (Skotinin);
• “Don’t do business, don’t run away from business” and “The dog barks, the wind carries” (Tsyfirkin);
• “Live a century, learn a century” (Prostakova);
• “Small souls are found in the big world” (Starodum);
• “Guilty Without Guilt” and “Dream in the Hand” (Prostakov);
• “I overate henbane” and “I don’t want to study, but I want to get married” (Mitrofan).

Analysis of the work of Fonvizin

Since the abstract does not give a complete picture, for the analysis you should familiarize yourself with the key points.

History of creation

The play was born after Fonvizin's long public service, because of which he did not turn to dramaturgy for a long time.

The first drafts of the work appeared in the 1770s and were closer to the writer's last play, The Brigadier. The first version of the main character's name is Ivanushka.

The date of publication of the final version of the book is 1781.

The very same play made a splash in the theater. However, due to the topicality of the topic, the reviews of those who watched were contradictory.

main topic

The key theme is the upbringing and formation of the new nobility. Fonvizin illuminates it by contrasting characters with outdated feudal views (all negative characters), with heroes who carry educational ideas (positive characters).

The problem of the phenomenon of "lack of spirituality" can be traced not only in the characters' surnames, but also in the relationship between parents and children.

Issues

There are two main problems:

1. Decay of the nobility. With the words of Starodum, the writer denounces moral decline and tries to find its causes. It is no coincidence that at the end he says: “Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!”. Fonvizin blames the unlimited power of the landlords and the lack of positive examples from representatives of the highest authorities.
2. Upbringing. Thinkers of that time saw education as a key factor influencing a person's morality. The plot is based on this. Fonvizin saw in the transfer of the right values ​​to the next generation a reliable way to strengthen politics and build a strong, developed nobility.

Thus, the comedy "Undergrowth" is a typical representative of classicism, exposing the mores of the society of that time. Nowadays, the work is studied in schools, starting from the 8th grade, as well as by students of philological and pedagogical universities.

Based on the play in the 18th century, performances were repeatedly staged, the success of which, like the work itself, was enormous. In the 20th century, in 1987, director Grigory Roshal made the film "Lord Skotinina" based on the work.

The comedy "Undergrowth" was written by D.I. Fonvizin in 1782. But, despite the past 200 years and social changes, it continues to be staged in theaters and is of interest to the viewer and reader. Comedy is interesting with bright characters, which, oddly enough, are still found in our time. The main problem of the work is the level of education of young nobles.

The main characters of the comedy "Undergrowth":

Prostakov - typical henpecked, not wanting to think with his head. All housekeeping was entrusted to his wife. Humble as a calf. Prostakov in his house does not have the right to vote.

G - Mrs. Prostakova - cunning, prudent landowner. She ruined her peasants to the last thread, and is crying that there is nothing more to take. Upon learning that Sophia had become a rich heiress, she set out to marry her lazybones to Sophia. Rude and scandalous. No one lives from her. But she is cunning and flattering to those from whom she expects benefits. Capable of low deeds. Denies the need for education, which speaks of her narrow mind.

Mitrofan- the son of the Prostakovs, undersized. Cunning, knows how to sweeten his mother. Illiterate lazy and lazy. In those days, underage children were called noble children who did not receive a written certificate from teachers about their education. Undergrowths were not allowed to public service, they were not given the so-called. coronal memories - papers that allowed marriage.

Pravdin - an official sent by the governor to take custody of the estate and villages of the Prostakovs. Honest and decent official.

Starodum - Sophia's uncle The man is straightforward, decent. In his youth, he participated in battles, served at court, but seeing how some are ready to curry favor, build intrigues in order to rise in the eyes of the most august persons, Starodum left the service at court, as he admits, “brought home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules." In his conversations, he advocates the education of young nobles.

Sophia - Starodum's niece, a modest, educated girl. Loves Milo.

Milon - officer, nobleman, loves Sophia, is respected by colleagues.

Skotinin - the landowner robs his peasants to the last. He is going to marry Sofya, but he does not love the girl, but the pigs that the peasants raise in Sophia's villages. To match him and the surname. The person is uneducated, rude.

Kuteikin - teaches Mitrofan literature. A rogue and a swindler.

Tsyfirkin - teaches mathematics. Refusing Mitrofan's tuition fee, Tsyfirkin behaved like a decent person.

Vralman - German, French teacher. Versatile surname. With her, Fonvizin tries to emphasize the deceitful nature of the German, who, receiving 300 rubles a year, does not teach Mitrofan anything himself, and interferes with others. Once Vralman accidentally let slip that he was a coachman in St. Petersburg. And indeed, his master was once Starodum. Leaving the Prostakovs, he took the German again as a coachman.

Eremeevna- Prostakov's serf, Mitrofan's nanny. She treats the undergrowth as if she were her own, and is ready to stand up for him. All orders Prostakova executes implicitly.

Almost all the names of the heroes of the work in one way or another characterize their owners:

• Pravdin personifies honesty;
• Starodum - a conservative outlook on life;
• Vralman - deceit.
• Kuteikin - a penchant for spree and an easy life

True, Mrs. Prostakova is not as simple as her dull-witted hubby and undersized Mitrofan.

Prostakova tried to quietly steal Sophia in order to secretly marry her to Mitrofan. But Sophia raised a fuss, and Milon came to her aid first, followed by Starodum and Pravdin. Prostakova realized that the complaint of Starodum and Sophia could end badly for her, begged for forgiveness. As soon as Sophia forgave her, she began to threaten her people. Then Pravdin read to her and her husband a document on guardianship, which in fact deprived her of any power over the estate and the peasants. In Fonvizin's comedy, the thought of the greatness and mind of the Sovereign Emperor runs like a red thread.

Classicism is a literary movement that developed in the eighteenth century. A striking example of it is the comedy "Undergrowth". The characters in this work are the topic of the article.

Issues

What is the story of the comedy "Undergrowth"? The characters are typical representatives of the social strata in Russia of the eighteenth century. Among them are statesmen, and nobles, and servants, and serfs, and even self-proclaimed teachers. The social theme is touched upon in the comedy "Undergrowth". Characters - Mitrofanushka and his mother. Mrs. Prostakova strictly controls everyone. She does not consider anyone, not even her husband. In terms of its problems, the works “Undergrowth” are straightforward. Actors in comedy are either negative or positive. There are no complicated contradictory images.

The work also touches on social and political issues. Even today, after more than two centuries, it does not lose its relevance. The characters in Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" utter phrases that literally scattered into quotes. The names of the heroes of this dramatic work have become common nouns.

History of creation

It is worth a few words to tell about how the work was created before describing the characters. "Undergrowth" Fonvizin wrote in 1778. By that time, the writer had already visited France. He spent more than a year in Paris, where he studied jurisprudence, philosophy, got acquainted with the social life of the country, which gave the world such names as Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau. Consequently, the views of the Russian playwright have changed somewhat. He realized the backwardness of the Russian landlord class. Therefore, the writer considered it necessary to create a work that would ridicule the vices of his contemporaries.

Fonvizin worked on the comedy for more than three years. In the early eighties, the premiere of the comedy "Undergrowth" took place in one of the capital's theaters.

List of actors

1. Prostakov.
2. Prostakov.
3. Mitrofanushka.
4. Sophia.
5. Milo.
6. Pravdin.
7. Starodum.
8. Skotinin.
9. Kuteikin.
10. Tsiferkin.
11. Vralman.
12. Trishka.

Sofya, Mitrofanushka, Prostakova are the main characters. Undergrowth is a concept denoting a young nobleman who has not received an education. They, as you know, in the comedy is Mitrofan - one of the main characters. But other characters in the comedy cannot be called secondary. Each of them plays a specific role in the plot. The works, like other works of the era of classicism, reflect the events that take place within one day. The characters in the comedy "Undergrowth" are endowed with names. And this is another typical feature of the works of classicism.

Plot

Fonvizin's comedy tells about cruel and stupid landowners, who are opposed by educated aristocrats. In the center of the plot is the story of an orphan girl who suddenly turns out to be the heiress of a large fortune. in comedy, they try to take possession of her dowry by forcibly marrying her off. The positive ones come to the rescue, getting rid of treacherous relatives.

In the house of the Prostakovs

A more detailed description of the characters in "Undergrowth" is presented below. But, as already mentioned, Mrs. Prostakova has a difficult disposition. The reader is convinced of this from the very first pages. The comedy begins with a scene in which Mitrofanushka's mother, in anger, attacks the serf Trishka for sewing a caftan for her beloved son, which is too small for him. This and subsequent events characterize Prostakova as a person prone to tyranny and unexpected outbursts of rage.

Sophia lives in the Prostakovs' house. Her father is dead. Recently, she lived in Moscow with her mother. But several months passed before she became an orphan. Prostakova took her to her.

rich heiress

Prostakova's brother Skotinin appears on the stage. Characteristics of the characters in the comedy "Undergrowth" - a description of the characters, which can be divided into two groups. The first includes the noble, honest and educated. To the second - ignorant and rude. Skotinin should be attributed to the latter. This man expresses his desire to marry Sophia. But he wants to connect his life with this girl not because he likes her. The thing is that he is a big hunter of pigs, as his surname speaks eloquently. And Sophia inherited several villages, on whose farms these animals live in great abundance.

Prostakova, meanwhile, learns exciting news: Sophia's uncle is alive. Mitrofan's mother is angry. After all, she believed that the Starodum had long been gone from the world. It turned out he was alive. Moreover, he is going to make his niece the heiress of the fortune he made in Siberia. Prostakova accuses Sophia of hiding news of a wealthy relative from her. But suddenly a brilliant idea comes to her mind. She decides to marry Sophia to her son.

Justice has triumphed

The village is visited by officer Milon, whom Sophia knew back in Moscow. They love each other, but due to life circumstances they had to leave. Milon, having learned about Sophia's engagement, is at first tormented by jealousy, but later he learns about what Mitrofan is, and calms down somewhat.

Prostakova loves her son very much. She hires teachers for him, but at the same time, by the age of sixteen, he had not even learned to read and write. The lad constantly complains to his mother that the teaching brings melancholy to him. To which Prostakova consoles her son, promising to marry him soon.

The appearance of Starodum

Finally, Uncle Sophia arrives in the village. Starodum tells the story of his life about how he was forced to leave the civil service, went to Siberia, and then decided to return from his native land. Starodum meets with Sophia and promises to save her from unpleasant relatives and marry her to a worthy man, who turns out to be her beloved Milon.

Description of actors

The minor, that is, Mitrofanushka, studies, observing the decree of the king, but does it with great reluctance. The characteristic features of this hero are stupidity, ignorance, laziness. Plus, he's cruel. Mitrofanushka does not respect her father and mocks her teachers. He takes advantage of the fact that his mother selflessly loves him.

Sophia gives a good description of her failed fiancé. The girl claims that, although Mitrofanushka was only sixteen years old, he has reached the peak of his perfection and will not develop further. This characters of Fonvizin's comedy are rather unpleasant. It combines traits such as servility and a penchant for tyranny.

At the beginning of the work, Mitrofanushka appears before readers in the role of a spoiled tough person. But later, when his mother fails to organize his wedding with a wealthy relative, he radically changes his behavior, humbly asks for forgiveness from Sophia, and shows humility towards Starodum. Mitrofanushka is a representative of the Prostakov-Skotinin world, people devoid of any concept of morality. The undergrowth symbolizes the degradation of the Russian nobility, the reason for which lies in improper upbringing and lack of education.

The surname Prostakova symbolizes ignorance and ignorance. The main feature of this heroine is blind love for her son. At the end of the work, Mitrofanushka's mother descends to the point that she begins to use assault on Skotinin. Prostakov - a combination of arrogance, hatred, anger and cowardice. By creating this literary character, the author wanted to show the reader what the lack of education leads to. According to Fonvizin, it is ignorance that is the cause of many human vices.

Sofia

Prostakova's niece is a representative of a noble family. But, unlike her relatives, she is educated, has a sense of honor. Sofya laughs at Mitrofanushka and his mother. She despises them. The characteristic features of the heroine are kindness, mockery, nobility.

Other positive characters

Starodum is an educated man of advanced years with great life experience. The main features of this hero are honesty, wisdom, kindness and respect for other people. This character is opposed to Prostakova. Both of them want the best for their students. But their approach to education is completely different. If Prostakova sees in her son a small child who requires constant care and indulges him in everything, then Starodum considers Sophia a mature personality. He takes care of his niece, choosing a worthy man for her husband. A few words should be said about this character.

Milon

The characteristic features of this hero are sincerity, nobility, prudence. Even in difficult situations, he does not lose his sanity. Hearing about Sophia's engagement, he presents Mitrofan as an educated and worthy man. And only later does his opinion regarding the opponent change. It is this hero who, in one of the last actions, is trying to reconcile Prostakov with his brother, reminding them that they are close people.

The main characters of the comedy "Undergrowth"

Building Character Prostakova, D. I. Fonvizin conveys the complexity and inconsistency of human nature. The playwright seeks to render "a service to humanity" by showing him what the nature of a person is, even an insignificant, evil one, who enjoys his right to offend other people. Hating slavery, despising the feudal lords, D. I. Fonvizin loved a person, grieved when he saw desecration of him, in whatever forms it manifested itself.

Prostakova - a rude, despotic and at the same time cowardly, greedy and vile nature, being the brightest type of Russian landowner, at the same time revealed as an individual character - the cunning and cruel sister of Skotinin, a power-hungry, prudent wife who tyrannizes her husband, a mother who loves without the mind of his Mitrofanushka. And this individual characteristic allows us to show all the terrible, disfiguring power of serfdom. All the great, human and holy feelings of Prostakova are distorted. That is why even love for her son - Prostakova's strongest passion - is unable to ennoble her feelings, for it manifests itself in base, animal forms. Her maternal love is devoid of human beauty and spirituality.

The denouement, to which D. I. Fonvizin brings the comedy, was conditional. Actions Pravdina, of a government official who carried out the will of the “highest authority” were not confirmed by the Russian reality of that time. They reflected only the moods and aspirations of a certain part of the enlightened nobility and therefore were perceived as advice to the government on a possible way to regulate relations between landowners and peasants. Because of this, the image of Pravdin in the comedy had not a real, but a conditional, ideal character.

The image is more vital Starodum. But he also represents a rare phenomenon among the nobility, judging by the attitude of Pravdin, Milon, Sophia towards him. They see in him not an ordinary nobleman, but a person with special "rules". And indeed it is. The image of Starodum is connected in comedy with the expression of the ideas of that part of the progressive nobility, which was in opposition to the rule of Catherine, condemned her actions. Outwardly, Starodum’s dialogues with positive characters were based on a discussion of moral problems and education, but in terms of the issues raised in them and the coverage of various aspects of public life, they were wider and contained criticism of the depravity of the modern court (“crowds of stingy flatterers”), condemnation of the monarch, whose soul is not always “great”, “to take the path of truth and never turn away from her." The indignation was caused by the abuse of serfdom (“to oppress one's own kind without law”), the oblivion of the first estate of their duties.

Although Starodum and Pravdin could not realize their ideals in social practice, their judgments, taken together, made the comedy ideologically consonant with political tragedy. This was the new thing that the playwright introduced with the images of Starodum and Pravdin into the structure of The Undergrowth. Comedy was given a socio-political orientation.