The theme of the poet and poetry in the lyrics of Lermontov (briefly)

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

All Lermontov's work is a detailed poetic diary in which the author expressed his attitude to life, the world and writing. The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics is one of the main ones. Like others, this theme is inextricably linked with the motif of loneliness, misunderstanding and suffering.

Poems dedicated to this topic

This topic becomes most relevant for the poet in the second period of his work. Pushkin's death had a painful effect on Lermontov's attitude. The work "The Death of a Poet" is not only the greatest example of the theme of poetry, but also opens a new stage in the work of Lermontov himself. The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics is usually also studied in such poems as "Prophet", "Poet", "Journalist, reader and writer".

Analysis of the poem "Prophet"

In literature, as in any other art, continuity is indispensable. Lermontov's "Prophet" is a kind of continuation of Pushkin's poem. However, MichaelYurievich, it is painted in more gloomy colors. Let's try to compare these two works, what do they have in common? First, the poetic gift in both poems is regarded as a gift from God. The poet is equal to the prophet, that is, he carries the word of God on earth, he knows the truth. All the elements are accessible and subject to him (“the earthly creature is submissive to me,” we read from Lermontov). However, if Pushkin depicts the very moment of the transformation of an ordinary person into a poet, then Lermontov begins from the moment a person is transformed. The theme of the poet and poetry in the lyrics of Lermontov and Pushkin is interpreted in different ways. Alexander Sergeevich expresses the hope that he will burn the hearts of people with a verb, Lermontov does not have this hope. From a prophet, his lyrical hero turns into an exile despised by people. The uncomprehending crowd accuses him of pride, while he bears "pure teachings of truth." Lermontov is right, people can hardly admit their mistakes and see their vices. Angry, they expel the poet. And alone, in the bosom of nature, he feels harmony.

"Poet": the brightness of symbols and features of the construction of the poem

Another bright poem in which the theme of the poet and poetry is realized. There are a lot of vivid images in Lermontov's lyrics, which are continued in the form of allusions and reminiscences in subsequent literary works. This is the famous sail, lonely cliff, leaf and others. Another image is a dagger, which means a poetic gift. The beginning of the poem "Poet" is unusual. It does not tell here at allabout poetic creativity, but about a dagger that faithfully served its owner, but, unfortunately, after his death, he lay in the shop for a long time, and then was bought by someone, hung on the wall as an accessory. But it has a different purpose. His damask was created for battles, for fights and campaigns, and not to be a shiny toy. And so begins the second part of the poem. It becomes clear to the reader why this poem is about poetry. Indeed, like this dagger, the poet ceased to play an important role in the life of his contemporaries. And not only he himself is to blame for this, but also society, which is used to listening to sweet lies, pleasing speeches. But once the voice of the poet was significant, they listened to him, they were afraid of him. The poem ends with a rhetorical question in which Lermontov expresses the hope that one day the "ridiculed prophet" will wake up for revenge and draw his blade.

Journalist, reader and writer

Even the title of the poem resembles Pushkin's - "A conversation between a bookseller and a poet", in form it also represents a dialogue. And this is a vivid example of how the theme of the poet and poetry is realized in Lermontov's lyrics. The summary of the poem can be expressed in the following words: in modern times, poetry has lost its former power, it has become empty and useless. In part, it echoes the poem "Poet". After all, in it the lyrical hero of Lermontov again asks the question:

"When Russia is barren, Having parted with false tinsel, Thought will acquire a simple languageAnd a noble voice of passion?"

This is the desperate cry of a poet who was sent into exile for his courage in poetry, this is his hope that one day in Russia they will be able to think and write freely.

"The death of a poet" as a turning point in the writer's work

For this work Lermontov was sent into exile. From this moment on, there will be no youthful maximalism, categoricalness in his poems. Now they will be more sad and heartfelt. The loneliness will deepen and intensify. As for the work itself, in it Lermontov accuses the modern generation of greed, baseness, misunderstanding of art. The crowd weaved dirty gossip around the holy name of the poet, not realizing that thereby destroying him. Along the way, Lermontov also raises the topic of censorship, speaking of the persecution of Pushkin.

What does poetry mean for Lermontov?

So sad is the theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics! The verses mentioned above are not the only ones. In many works of the author, the idea that the poetic gift becomes a curse for him sounds. For example, in an early poem, "Prayer," he calls creativity a "burning fire." His thirst to write poetry becomes unbearable, it destroys the lyrical hero.

There was another bright early work called "The Poet" ("When Raphael is inspired"). This is one ofthe very first poetic experiments of Lermontov. The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics acquires a special sound in it. The poems written by the lyrical hero are soon forgotten, he himself grows cold towards them. Lermontov compares writing with painting: an inspired artist, having created his creation, falls before him, but after a couple of days he becomes indifferent to it. This is a kind of attempt to comprehend the essence of inspiration. Under its influence, everything is subject to the poet, but as soon as this feeling leaves, he forgets "heavenly fire".

The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics (briefly)

Summing up, it should be said that for Lermontov, poetic creativity is, first of all, God's gift. It is not just given to him, not worked out, not trained. He was sent down so that the poet would bring the truth to people. However, sometimes this gift turns into a curse, because in the modern world people cannot heed the voice of the poet. They do not perceive poetry, because there is too much truth in them, too many accusatory words. The fear of condemnation and expulsion makes many poets abandon their true destiny and become a "useless toy." However, Lermontov himself is not like that. He believes to the last that the time will come when the power of the poet will be as great as in the past. When his words "like God's spirit" will rush over the crowd and inspire them to action, when the word can reach the hearts, reveal the truth to them. And the truth is simple - in love for your neighbor, for your land, in kindness andunderstanding. In what was so lacking in the life of the poet himself.

Very deep and multifaceted theme of the poet and poetry in the lyrics of Lermontov. A lesson in grade 9, which compares the attitude of two poets - Lermontov and Pushkin, to this topic, will help to better understand the problem. This topic is also addressed in 10th grade, during review.