What is the meaning of the epigraph. What is an epigraph? Some interesting essays
P. A. Viskontov, one of the first biographers of M. Yu. Lermontov, connects the emergence of the idea of writing a poem with the poet’s journey along the old Georgian Military Highway. There, M. Yu. Lermontov (according to the testimony of his relatives) met a monk who told him a story about how, as a child, he was taken prisoner by General Yermolov. On the way, the prisoner fell seriously ill, and the general had to leave him in the monastery. Having recovered, the boy could not get used to life in the monastery for a long time, he tried to run away more than once. During the next escape, he fell seriously ill and almost died. In the end, he resigned himself and spent the rest of his life in a monastery. The prototype of the monastery described by M. Yu. Lermontov in the poem was the monastery of Jvari.
The poet addressed this plot more than once: first he wrote the poem "Confession", the main character of which is a monk who fell in love with a nun, violated his vow and was sentenced to death for this. In 1835-1836, the poem "Boyarin Orsha" was written. It tells about Arseny, a boyar's slave, brought up in a monastery. He fell in love with the daughter of a boyar and was also condemned to death, but he managed to escape. But the full idea of the monk, who told M. Yu. Lermontov his story, was embodied in the poem "Mtsyri", written in 1839.
The epigraph to the poem is taken from the biblical legend about the king of Israel, Saul, and his son Jonathan, whom his father, in the heat of anger, called "unfit and rebellious." One day Saul "made an oath on the people, saying: Cursed is he who eats bread until evening, until I have avenged my enemies." Jonathan arbitrarily attacked the enemies and, having defeated them, exhausted, quenched his hunger by dipping a stick in a honeycomb and turning "his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened." Saul, believing that his son had violated the oath, decided to kill him. Jonathan said, “I tasted some honey with the end of the stick that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.” But the people of Israel said to the king: “Shall Jonathan die, who brought such great salvation to Israel? Let it not be!”. And Jonathan survived.
And at the hour of the night, a terrible hour,
When the storm scared you
When, crowding at the altar,
You lay prostrate on the ground
I ran.
Mtsyri not only strives to be free, his passionate dream is to be among his relatives, to return to his native land. Initially, M. Yu. Lermontov chose the French saying “There is only one Motherland” as the epigraph to the poem. But later he replaced it with a saying from the Bible: "Eating, I tasted little honey, and now I die."
Honey is those “three blessed days” that Mtsy-ri spent in the wild. He saw Caucasian nature in all its diversity, felt its life, experienced the joy of communicating with it, fought (and won!) with a leopard. He realized how beautiful this world is, how sweet the air of freedom is. Mtsyri says to the old man:
Do you want to know what I did
At will? Lived - and my life
Without these three blessed days
It would be sadder and gloomier
Your powerless old age.
The idea of the work is that three days of life in the wild is better than many years of bleak existence in captivity. “Behold I die” - for a hero who has known real life, death is better than life in a monastery. The death of a hero causes a feeling of sadness, but not pity. The death of Mtsyra is not a defeat, but a victory: fate doomed him to slavery, but the young man managed to know freedom, experience the happiness of struggle, the joy of merging with nature. The hero himself perceives death as liberation from captivity.
An epigraph is a quote chosen from some source and placed at the beginning of a work, usually of great importance for its understanding and analysis. The epigraph conveys the meaning that the author put into the text, reminds us of other eras and cultures in which something similar has already happened. In the 19th century in Russia, epigraphs became especially widespread, their use became fashionable, because it could emphasize the erudition of the author. The most famous are the epigraphs of Pushkin and Lermontov, for example, the epigraph "Mtsyri".
Initially, Lermontov chooses the French saying “There is only one Motherland” as the epigraph for his poem - it is found in the drafts of Mtsyri. This saying emphasized Mtsyri's love for his homeland, explained the desire to return home at all costs. But later the poet decides that the meaning of the poem cannot be reduced to one theme of love for the motherland. He crosses out the French sentence and changes the epigraph, thereby expanding the problematic of the poem. New topics are introduced into it, and it can rightly be called philosophical.
The final epigraph to Lermontov's poem "Mtsyri" is taken from the Bible, from the 14th chapter of the 1st Book of Kings. These are the words:
“Eating, taste a little honey, and now I die.”
The choice of the Bible is not accidental - for Lermontov's contemporaries, this book was one of the most significant. At that time, everyone was familiar with the text of the Bible; it was taught at school in the lessons of the Law of God. Therefore, everyone could understand the meaning of the epigraph.
What is the meaning of the epigraph "Mtsyri"? The words "Eating, tasting a little honey, and now I die" in the Book of Kings is pronounced by the son of the biblical king Saul, Jonothan. His words are preceded by the following story. Once, during a battle with enemies, Saul's army was exhausted and needed food and rest. But Saul, blinded by the fury of the battle, cursed his subjects. He told no one to "eat bread until I have avenged my enemies." None of Saul's subjects dared to disobey the king. Jonothan did not know about the curse of his father, so he dipped the stick in his hands into honey and ate some of the honey.
God told Saul about his son's violation of the taboo. Then Saul came to Jonothan and asked him, "Tell me, what did you do?" Ionofan told his father about his act and was indignant at the injustice of the ban: “My father confused the land: look, my eyes brightened up when I tasted a little of this honey.” For this, Saul sentenced him to death: "... you, Jonathan, must die today!". Expecting death, Ionofan pronounces the famous words that served as an epigraph to the poem "Mtsyri": "Eating, tasting little honey, and now I die."
They do not sound humility, but sadness. Regret is not about a violated ban, but about an unlived life that will soon end because of the ridiculous decision of Saul. Nevertheless, the execution did not take place: the people stood up for Ionofan and canceled the unjust decision of the king.
From the biblical narrative it is clear that the sympathy of the narrator here is completely on the side of the son of Saul. A young man who managed to show all the stupidity of the tsar's ban and was not afraid of death, as a result, deserves people's love. Honey is viewed in a broad sense as earthly goods and liberties that people are trying to deprive. Here the theme of rebellion begins to sound, a rebellion against the authorities and even against God - for the freedom of man. Why should a person worthy of happiness and a free life die? - this is the main meaning of the epigraph.
Interestingly, Jonothan is repeatedly referred to in Scripture as "a son of no good and rebellious." His protest against his father was permanent. Jonothan befriends another biblical figure, David, who displeases Saul. And for him, he is ready to give both his life and his throne. Ionofan is called a brave young man - this is indeed so, because he was a brave military leader, and in his dispute with his father he risked his life more than once. In the end, he, while still young, dies on the battlefield.
As we can see, Ionofan can be regarded as a hero-rebel quite in the spirit of romantic traditions. The choice of just such a character is deeply symbolic, because, firstly, in the protest of Ionofan against King Saul, one can easily read the protest against the thoughtless autocracy as a whole. And secondly, Jonothan is an example of a truly free person. For a few drops of honey, he is ready to lay down his head - “in a few minutes between the steep and dark rocks” of his homeland, he is ready to give his soul to Mtsyri. Their determination is equally high and admirable.
Through the epigraph in "Mtsyri" the image of the "honey path" is introduced, as the path is forbidden, but desired. This path is the most important for a person (it is not for nothing that Ionofan, who tasted honey, "brightened his eyes"). But at the same time, if there is no power behind the hero that can protect him (as the people behind Jonothan), then this path will inevitably lead him to death. This image can be called a leitmotif, since it also appears in Lermontov's earlier works. For example, in his lyrics ("Boulevard"), as well as in the poem "Boyarin Orsha". In it, the judging monk is mentioned about the honey path.
The parallel between Ionofan and Mtsyri is easy to draw, but Mtsyri is an even more tragic hero. Everything romantic in it is brought to the limit by Lermontov: in this way the poet rethinks and deepens the essence of the epigraph he used. Mtsyri, unlike the biblical character, guesses where this path will lead him. “Eating, tasting little honey, and now I die” - an early death awaits both Mtsyri and Ionofan. And yet it is their image that will be admired by future generations, because the “honey” they have chosen is the path of sweet freedom, without which life is meaningless.
Artwork test
The meaning of epigraphs in "The Captain's Daughter"
In the late twenties - early thirties, A.S. Pushkin turns to the study of Russian history. He is interested in great personalities, their role in the formation of the state. The writer addresses the actual topic of peasant speeches. The result of his labors were works - "The History of Pugachev", "The Captain's Daughter", "Dubrovsky", "The Bronze Horseman".
The Captain's Daughter is Pushkin's final work. It tells about a peasant uprising led by the Cossack Emelyan Pugachev. The narration is conducted on behalf of the main character, who in his youth became a witness and participants in the events described.
In the epigraph to the chapter "Sergeant of the Guard" Andrei Petrovichev and Petrusha's understanding of the duty of an officer is revealed. Pyotr Grinev is a young nobleman, a county undergrowth. He received a provincial education from a Frenchman who "was not an enemy of the Bottle" and liked to sip too much. His father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, considered the concept of duty from the position of an officer. He believed that an officer was obliged to fulfill all the orders of his superiors, "to serve faithfully to whom you swear." The father immediately says that "Petrusha and Petersburg will not go," and sends him to the remote Belogorsk fortress. Andrey Petrovich Grinev does not want his son to learn to "wind and hang out."
The epigraph to chapter 11 is an old song. In the chapter "The Leader" a "man" appears, who later becomes the leader of the uprising. With the advent of Pugachev, an alarming, mysterious atmosphere arises in the novel. This is how Petrusha sees him already in a prophetic dream: “A man jumped out of bed, grabbed an ax from behind his back and began to wave in all directions ... The room was filled with dead bodies ... A terrible man called me affectionately, saying: “Don't be afraid ... "
Pushkin's Pugachev is "woven" from folklore. It is no coincidence that his appearance during a snowstorm, which becomes a symbolic harbinger of rebellion.
In The Duel, Shvabrin advises Grinev: "... so that Masha Mironova comes to you at dusk, instead of gentle rhymes, give her a pair of earrings." Therefore, a duel takes place between Grinev and Shvabrin.
The epigraph to the fifth chapter "Love" speaks of Masha. This is an ordinary Russian girl who hopes to meet her love. Therefore, Shvabrin, exiled to the Belogorsk fortress for participating in a duel, attracts her attention. At first, she is attracted by the education and erudition of a young officer. However, soon Shvabrin commits a number of vile acts, which makes Masha indignantly reject his harassment. Masha meets true love in the person of Grinev.
The epigraph to the sixth chapter contains a song. The chapter "Pugachevshchina" talks about how "an unknown force" - Pugachev's army - spontaneously approaches the Belogorsk fortress. The Pugachev uprising brings with it destruction and death.
The chapter "The Attack" reflects the key situation of the "Captain's Daughter" - the capture of the fortress by Pugachev and the behavior of the heroes during this. All participants in the events find themselves in a situation of choosing life or death: each of them makes it in accordance with their ideas of morality, honor and duty.
In the eighth chapter, Grinev becomes Pugachev's "uninvited guest". At the "strange military council" the protagonist hears a "mournful hawker's song": "Don't make noise, mother green oak tree." His "piitic horror" is shocking not only by the song itself, but by the people who sing it, "doomed to the gallows."
The epigraph to the chapter "Separation" contains the main idea: the "sad" parting of two lovers. However, they pass this test with dignity.
In chapter ten, Grinev faces a choice: an officer's duty or feelings. "In the night" he tries to save Marya Ivanovna.
In "Rebellious Sloboda" Pugachev receives Grinev "affectionately". The leader of the uprising lives according to the principle: "Debt in payment is red." Therefore, he decides to once again help Pyotr Grinev save Masha from Shvabrin.
In the chapter "The Orphan", Grinev and Pugachev arrive at the Belogorsk fortress. There they find Masha "in a peasant's tattered dress", "with disheveled hair". She was left an orphan - she "has neither a father nor a mother." The captain's daughter places all hopes for salvation on her beloved Grinev. However, the main savior is Pugachev, who expresses a desire to be "planted by the father" at their wedding.
In the thirteenth chapter, Arrest, a new test appears for lovers: Grinev is arrested and accused of treason.
In the last chapter of "Court" Grinev does not want to talk about the captain's daughter, who is involved in the story with Pugachev. However, Masha Mironova herself was able to overcome all obstacles and arrange her happiness. Masha's honesty and sincerity helped to get forgiveness for Grinev from the Empress herself.
The role and meaning of the epigraph in the story "The Captain's Daughter".
It would seem rather banal: - "The Captain's Daughter." But ... this work is in many school programs, and, so far, no one has thrown it off the "ship of modernity." I want to introduce my vision and work on the analysis of this story.
I propose to work on the analysis through the identification of the meaning and significance of the epigraph.
Homework for lesson 1 sounded like this: using dictionaries, remember and accurately determine what an epigraph is. In the future, getting acquainted with the pages of the story, the guys explain the meaning and meaning of the epigraph. And only at the final lesson we come to conclusions about the meaning and meaning of the epigraph to the whole story.
Turning to this topic of research, I would like to understand how literary critics understand the term "epigraph". What do dictionaries say? For example, in the “Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron” one can read the following: “Epigraph (Greek epigrajh - inscription) is a quote placed at the head of an essay or part of it in order to indicate its spirit, its meaning, the author’s attitude towards it, etc. Depending on the literary and social mood, epigraphs came into fashion, became a manner, went out of use, then resurrected. In the first half of the last century, they willingly shone as an expression of erudition and the ability to apply someone else's thought in a new sense.
And in the Literary Encyclopedia » the understanding of this term is as follows: “An epigraph is a phrase in the title of a literary work or before its individual sections. As an epigraph, proverbs, sayings, words from well-known literary works, from scripture, etc. are often taken. them in the work. The epigraph can be lyrical, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on whether the author expressed his attitude simply in a condensed formula of the main events of the given work as a whole, a separate chapter, etc.
The “School Poetic Dictionary” gives the following understanding of the epigraph: “Epigraph (Greek epigrajh - inscription)
1) In ancient times, the inscription on the monument, on the building.
2) In general European literature, an epigraph means a saying or a quotation placed before the text of a whole literary work or its individual chapters. The epigraph creates the main idea developed by the author in the narrative. Thus, we see that the epigraph is one of the optional elements of the composition of a literary work. Thanks to this, the epigraph always carries an important semantic load. Given that we have before us a type of author's expression, there are two options for its use, depending on whether the author's direct statement is present in the work. In one case, the epigraph is an integral part of the structure of artistic speech, given on behalf of the author.
In the other, it is the only element, apart from the title, that clearly expresses the author's point of view.
often used epigraphs in his work. We meet them in "Eugene Onegin", "The Captain's Daughter", "Poltava", "Stone Guest", "Tales of Belkin", "Queen of Spades", "Peter the Great's Moor", "Dubrovsky", some lyrical works, "Egyptian nights”, “Bakhchisaray fountain”. Regarding the latter, he once remarked: “So the Bakhchisarai Fountain was called “Harem” in the manuscript, but the melancholic epigraph (which, of course, is better than the whole poem) seduced me.” The above list of works emphasizes that the use of epigraphs by the author is not accidental. It is clear that the epigraphs in them in a certain way form the meaning of these works. What is the mechanism of this work? What connections does each epigraph have with the text? What does he serve? The answers to these questions will clarify the role of Pushkin's epigraphs. Without this, one cannot count on a serious understanding of his work.
Literary critics are always attentive to the epigraph that the author uses in his work. Let's try to figure out what is the role and significance of this literary device in prose. The Captain's Daughter, one of Pushkin's most perfect and profound creations, has repeatedly been the subject of research attention. However, this does not mean that the problems of The Captain's Daughter have been exhaustively clarified. Moreover, many issues are still controversial. In our opinion, the epigraphs in this story are of interest for research. Before us, as many Pushkinists believe, and we follow them, is a whole system of epigraphs. Let's move on to a direct analysis of the epigraphs before the chapters of the story.
They are prefaced to each chapter and to the entire work. Some chapters have multiple epigraphs. Working on the analysis of the novel, we compile the following table:
Application.
The Story of the Captain's Daughter
Take care of your honor from a young age.
Proverb
Chapter Title | Source epigraph | The role and meaning of the epigraph in the chapter. |
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Sergeant of the Guard | - If he were a guard, he would be captain tomorrow. | "Braggart". | The chapter reveals the reasons for military service by Peter Grinev. Moreover, the epigraph suggests that the hero, before setting foot on the path of life, must serve. An important role will be played by the image of the father: he sends his son to experience all the hardships of army life in a garrison remote from the capital. The meaning of using the second epigraph (the answer to the question) will be revealed in the finale, when Catherine gives life to Petrusha because of the merits of his father. The epigraph here also serves as an introduction. Artistic skill is manifested in the transition from the text of the epigraph to the main text of the chapter, which begins with the words: “My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev…” |
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Is it my side, side, old song | The epigraph outlines the main provisions of the chapter: the hero finds himself in a foreign country, because of his mistakes without money in a snowstorm, fate confronts not only bad weather, but also with a counselor, who later turns out to be Pugachev. The rebel will save Grinev and play both a noble and fatal role in his fate. |
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Fortress | We live in a fort Soldier song. Old people, my father. Undergrowth. | It is still unknown whether we have a pastiche of Pushkin or a folk song. The quote from Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" has been changed. Prostakova says: “Old people, my father!” | The atmosphere is conveyed from the first lines of the epigraph: the commandant and Vasilisa Yegorovna greet Petrusha kindly, they really are old people - the second epigraph is stylized as Vasilisa Yegorovna’s speech, the commandant will tell about the incident with firing at the cannon. |
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Duel | - If you please, stand in positivity. Knyazhnin. | Comedy "Jacks" | The epigraph predicts that there will be a duel in which one of its participants will “pierce” the other. Wounded - Petrusha. |
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Oh, girl, red girl! Folk song. If you find me better, you will forget, If you find worse than me, you will remember. Same | Folk songs. | These two epigraphs turn out to be unfortunate messengers for Petrusha. Masha will not marry Grinev in this situation: she needs the marriage to be consecrated with the blessing of the future father-in-law and mother-in-law. She cares not only about herself, but also about Peter, because she understands that in the future he will not be able to be happy without parental love. The second epigraph conveys the feelings of the heroine: Masha understands that it is necessary to break off relations. Her heart is filled with pain and suffering. |
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Pugachevshchina | You young guys listen Song | Folk song. | The epigraph plays an unusual role: in it we see a parallel with the appeal of the “old old man” Pyotr Andreevich to the younger generation about non-violent changes in life. At the end of the novel, Grinev assessed the actions of Pugachev and his accomplices in this way: “God forbid to see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless!” |
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My head, head folk song | Folk song. | Looking for an epigraph to this chapter, the publisher sought to reveal Grinev's intention in the most voluminous way, who called the seventh chapter "Attack". There was no assault, as such. Breaking into the fortress, Pugachev and his gang started to their usual work - to brutal reprisals against those who dared to oppose them. The epigraph of the seventh chapter does not directly correlate with the fate of Grinev: the hero mourns the fate of Captain Mironov and Lieutenant Ivan Ignatich. |
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Uninvited guest | An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar. Proverb | Proverb. | The interpretation of the epigraph is ambiguous, but we believe that the author of this proverb meant the following: Grinev is at Pugachev's feast by invitation, and no one invited the rebel and his gang to the fortress, so the uninvited guest is Pugachev! |
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It was sweet to recognize Kheraskov | "Parting". | The epigraph aims at a lyrical, even minor mood: Grinev, with a pain in his heart, parted with Masha, who remained in the power of Shvabrin. |
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City siege | Having occupied forests and mountains, Kheraskov | “Rossiada”: “Meanwhile, the Russian Tsar, having occupied the meadows and mountains, / From the top, like an eagle, cast his eyes to the city.” The author has changed the text. | The epigraph conveys the feelings of the hero and talks about what Grinev is doing to free Masha. The epigraph predicts that Pyotr Andreevich (“like an eagle”) will gallop from the city (“at night”) to the Belogorsk fortress in order to free his beloved from the hands of Shvabrin. |
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rebellious settlement | At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from birth. A. Sumarokov | The stylization clearly reveals the meaning of the chapter: Pugachev (the lion) was both well-fed and ferocious (we have already read about his atrocities on the pages of the novel). Already in the epigraph, we feel that an important conversation will take place between the characters, despite the formidable tone, the owner will be affectionate with Peter. |
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Like our apple wedding song | Folk song, the author changed it. Original version: A lot, a lot of oak cheese, | The author changed the original song: the oak was replaced by an apple tree. And immediately everything becomes clear: the fate of Marya Ivanovna depends on the killer of her parents (and we know that Pugachev was cruel to the children of the nobles). Therefore, as a savior of an orphan, Pugachev is dangerous! |
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- Do not be angry, sir: according to my duty Knyazhnin | Styling under. | The epigraph of the chapter points to the arrest of Grinev and the hesitation of who should fulfill the duty: Grinev is arrested by Zurin, who once "taught him about life" in Simbirsk. But the second part of the epigraph can also refer to Zurin. After all, he knew from Petrusha about his “friendly travels with Pugachev”, he was convinced that the Investigative Commission would not find anything reprehensible in them either. |
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Worldly rumor - Proverb | Proverb. | With the rhyme “rumour-wave”, the author expressed the essence of the trial that was carried out over Grinev: first, the Investigative Commission believed Shvabrin, then Father Andrei Petrovich believed the verdict of the Investigative Commission and the empress, who, out of respect for his father, saved his son from shameful execution and “ordered only to be exiled to a remote region of Siberia for an eternal settlement.” And then Masha saves the honor of her beloved from a slander. |
Analyzing the role and significance of the epigraph in the story "The Captain's Daughter", we came to the following conclusions.
1. Epigraphs in the story do not play the role of annotations.
2. Pushkin's epigraph can play a dual role: already in Chapter 1, "Sergeant of the Guards", the second epigraph performs, on the one hand, the role of an introduction (a smooth transition from the epigraph to the main text). " Who is his father?"- the epigraph sounds, and the text of the chapter begins with the words: "My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev ...". On the other hand, the meaning of this epigraph will be explained at the end of the novel, when Catherine could ask such a question when discussing the Grinev case and, having found out everything, gave Peter life because of the merits of his father.
2. Comparison of the meaning contained in the epigraph with the meaning of the chapter can be compared with the effect of light passing through a prism. We have special recommendations for readers. For example, in the chapter “Duel”, the epigraph (see table) predicts that there will be a duel in which one of the participants “pierces” the other. Petrusha is the victim. The irony is felt already in the epigraph itself.
3. Often, the epigraph conveys the style and atmosphere of everything below. For example, in chapter 3 "Fortress" a folk song and an excerpt from Fonvizin set the atmosphere for the entire chapter (see table). Pyotr Grinev finds himself in a benevolent atmosphere. The commandant and Vasilisa Yegorovna are, indeed, ancient people. And the second epigraph is superbly stylized as the speech of a common man, Vasilisa Egorovna.
4. In the chapter “Pugachevshchina”, the epigraph plays an unusual role: in it we see a parallel with the appeal of the “old old man” Pyotr Andreevich to the younger generation about non-violent changes in life. IN
At the end of the story, Grinev will assess the actions of Pugachev and his accomplices in the following way: “God forbid to see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless!”1
5. In the chapters “Counselor”, “Love”, “Attack”, “Separation”, “Siege of the City”, “Orphan”, the lyrical notes contained in the epigraph set the mood, permeate the content of the entire chapter.
6. Many epigraphs in the novel have been changed by the author (chapters 3 (second epigraph), 10, 12) in accordance with the meaning of the chapter. And in chapters 11 and 13, the author acts as a skillful stylizer: in chapter 11 he created an excerpt - an imitation of Sumarokov's fable, and in chapter 13 replicas in the style of Knyaznin. These epigraphs already at the very beginning reveal the meaning and main idea of the chapter.
7. With the rhyme “rumor-wave” in the epigraph to chapter 14 “Court” (see table), the author expressed the essence of the trial that was carried out over Grinev. Wave 1 - The Investigation Commission accepts Shvabrin's testimony as true, 2 - Father Andrei Petrovich believes the verdict of the Investigation Commission and the Empress, who, out of respect for her father, saved his son from a shameful execution and "ordered only to be exiled to a remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement." Wave 3 - Masha saves the honor of her beloved from a slander.
9. The proverb, put into the epigraph by the author to the whole novel: “Take care of honor from a young age,” sets the tone for the whole story. Wisdom, enshrined in the proverb, acts here as a life guide, a moral basis not only for Pyotr Grinev, but also for society as a whole. And the main character of the story, we think, will never sully honor.
Thus, we see that the epigraphs in the story have a great semantic load, are an appeal to the reader, create an atmosphere, express the author's point of view, become one with the whole novel.
An epigraph is a quotation placed by the author before his work. It helps to reveal the meaning of a thing, improve its understanding, the author's attitude to the topic. In Russian literature, epigraphs were especially widespread just in the 19th century, to which the work of M.Yu. Lermontov.
Judging by the poet's drafts, a different epigraph was originally intended for the poem "Mtsyri": "There is only one homeland." But the now well-known version was betrayed to the public: "Eating, tasting little honey, and now I die." This is a saying from the Bible, 1 Samuel. At the time of M.Yu. Lermontov, its content was known to almost everyone, and it was not difficult to understand the prerequisites for this phrase at the beginning of the poem.
The phrase belongs to Jonathan, the son of the biblical king Saul. Having ignorantly violated his father's ban on eating before he won a victory over the enemy army, the young man is one step away from execution. In anticipation of death at the hands of his father, he disappointedly utters these words, annoyed not by his own disobedience, but by the insignificance of the accusation. The young man was protected by a devoted people, and his image became a kind of symbol of the fearlessness of a freedom fighter in the face of death.
The analogies are obvious. Mtsyri (in Georgian means “non-serving monk”) - a young man who got into the monastery, being a captive child, whom the Russian general left in the monastery out of compassion: he fell ill, and one of the monks took pity on the boy and took him to him. Mtsyri, all his short life, cherishes the dream of returning to his homeland and, at an opportunity, escapes from the monastery. A few days later he is found barely alive, and almost before his death, he decides to talk about what has tormented him all these years.
“I lived little, and lived in captivity. I would exchange such two lives for one, but only full of worries, if I could, ”- the words of Mtsyra, reflecting his attitude to life. A proud Georgian boy - he has a thirst for freedom in his blood, the need to defend his Fatherland, relatives ... Mentality, if you like. He entered the monastery at about the age of six, and by that time a certain scale of life values had already been formed, albeit unconsciously. Mtsyri does not formulate his desires and needs very clearly, but his whole soul feels that his place is not here, that he should have been among his own, from birth he was destined for the lot of a warrior, but not a monk! In a fight with a leopard, he fully feels his strength, the proud and unshakable heart of the hero. It hurts more to die!
Dying from physical and nervous exhaustion, having spent all your life resource on a three-day attempt to break free, find a way to your native places - and instead, lost in the forests, with your last strength, find yourself again near the walls of the monastery
Mtsyri regrets not only and not so much his own life as such, but its futility in the pursuit of a dream he has suffered, the collapse of the hope of his entire earthly path. He does not regret his escape, wanderings, hunger, the battle with the mighty leopard, and finally ... It is a pity for the insignificance of attempts to overcome the situation in which he was doomed to exist all his life. The son of the biblical king laments about this: It is not a pity for life itself, it is a pity to die in vain, at the stupid whim of anyone.
There are also analogies of an autobiographical nature, echoes of the eternal opposition “poet and the crowd”, one against all ... Loneliness, the desire for freedom, peace (but not in the sense of “lie down to rest”, but to peace precisely from this state of striving for freedom: it should be Satisfied), deprivation in terms of family...
The futility of attempts "not to bend under the changing world", in a word. Life can be both unhappy in the conventional sense and dangerous, but if there is no freedom in it, then there is no meaning in it.
… I have seen others
Fatherland, home, friends, relatives,
And I did not find
Not only lovely souls - graves!
How much bitterness, longing, unspent love in these words!
Poem by M.Yu. Lermontova made the name Mtsyri a household name. In the modern world, the fame of the work and its plot is higher than the fame of the Bible - at least in school circles, definitely, because the Book of Kings is bypassed by the educational program. And the image of Mtsyra is the image of someone to whom freedom is dearer than life. In other words, "it is better to die standing than to live on your knees" ...
