Signs of classicism in literature. An example of Russian classicism in the comedy "Undergrowth"

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

In the era of the reign of Peter the Great in Russia, the foundations of a new direction in literature began to be laid. Signs of classicism originated in Italy in the 16th century. A hundred years later, the direction reached its highest development in France during the reign of Louis 14, who establishes an absolute monarchy.

The birth of classicism and the general characteristics of the era

The ideological basis for the formation of a literary trend is the establishment of a strong state power. Classicism set the glorification of absolute monarchy as its main goal. Translated from Latin, the term classicus means "exemplary". The signs of classicism in literature draw their origins from antiquity, and the work of N. Boileau "Poetic Art" (1674) becomes the theoretical basis. It introduces the concept of three unities and speaks of a strict correspondence between content and form.

Philosophical basis of classicism

The metaphysics of the rationalist Rene Descartes influenced the formation of this literary movement. The main conflict among the classics isopposition of reason and passions. In accordance with the division of all genres into high, medium and low styles of the art system were created.

The main features of classicism imply the use of the rule of three unities (time, place and action) and normative poetics, which began to slow down the natural development of the literary process. The estate-feudal hierarchy is reflected in the aristocratic character of classicism. Heroes are predominantly representatives of the nobility, who are the bearers of virtue. High civic pathos and a sense of patriotism subsequently become the basis for the formation of other literary movements.

Signs of classicism in literature. Features of Russian classicism

In Russia, this literary trend begins to take shape at the end of the 17th century. Despite the fact that the works of Russian classicists reveal a connection with N. Boileau, classicism in Russia is significantly different. It began its active development after the death of Peter the Great, when the clergy and nobles tried to return the state to pre-Petrine times. The following signs of classicism are inherent exclusively in the Russian direction:

1. It is more humane, because it was formed under the influence of the ideas of the Enlightenment.
2. Affirmed the natural equality of all people.
3. The main conflict was between the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie.
4. Russia had its own antiquity - national history.

Odic poetryclassicism, creativity of Lomonosov

Mikhail Vasilyevich was not only a naturalist, but also a writer. He strictly observed the signs of classicism, and his classical odes can be divided into several thematic groups:

1. Victorious-patriotic. "Ode on the Capture of Khotin" (1739) was attached to a letter on the rules of Russian poetry. Symbols are widely used in the work and a collective image of a Russian soldier is introduced.
2. Odes related to the accession to the throne of the monarch, in which the signs of classicism are especially clearly traced. Lomonosov wrote works addressed to Empress Anna, Elizabeth, Catherine II. A laudatory ode seemed to the writer of the most convenient formal conversation with the monarch.
3. Spiritual. In the 18th century, they called the transcription of biblical texts with lyrical content. Here the author spoke not only about personal experiences, but also about universal issues.

Odes of Lomonosov

Mikhail Vasilyevich adhered to writing works of an exceptionally high genre, which were characterized by a solemn language, the use of means of artistic expression and appeals - these are the main signs of classicism in the ode. Lomonosov turns to heroic-patriotic themes, glorifies the beauties of the motherland and encourages people to engage in science. He had a positive attitude towards the monarchy and in "Ode on the day of the accession to the throne of Elizabeth Petrovna" reflects this idea. Being an enlightened person, Mikhail Vasilievich directs his efforts toeducation of the entire part of the population of Russia, therefore, gives its followers a rich literary heritage.

How to distinguish a classic piece? Signs of classicism in the comedy "Undergrowth"

Conditional division of characters into positive and negative	The behavior of the characters in the text corresponds to the author's assessment. The reader instantly understands which of them is the bearer of vices and virtues.
Using speaking surnames	Skotinin, Vralman - negative characters; Milon, Pravdin – positive.
Having a reasoner hero	Starodum conveys the author's idea to the reader, although he does not participate in the conflict itself.
The rule of three unities (time, place, action)	Events take place in Prostakova's house during the day. The main conflict is love.
Heroes behave according to the specifics of the genre - low and mean	The speech of Prostakova and other negative characters is vile, simple, and their behavior confirms this.

The work consists of actions (usually 5 of them) and phenomena, and the subject of conversation in classic comedy is the state. The author observes these signs of classicism in "Undergrowth" and "Brigadier".

The innovative nature of Fonvizin's comedies

Denis's own literary activityIvanovich began with translations of European texts, while at the same time he managed to play roles in the drama theater. In 1762, his comedy "The Brigadier" was presented, and then "Korion". The signs of classicism are best seen in "Undergrowth" - the author's most recognizable work. The peculiarity of his work lies in the fact that he opposes government policy and denies the existing forms of landlord domination. He sees the ideal monarchy, fenced by law, which allows the development of the bourgeois class and allows the value of a person outside of class. Similar views were reflected in his journalistic writings.

"Foreman": idea and summary

Fonvizin manifests himself as a playwright when creating his comedies. The production of "The Brigadier" was a huge success with the audience due to the presentation of a collective image of the whole class. The basis is the plot-love conflict. It is not easy to identify the main character, since each does not exist on its own, but complements the collective image of the Russian nobility. The love story, traditional for classical comedy, was used by the playwright for satirical purposes. All the characters are united by stupidity and stinginess, they are strictly divided into positive and negative - the main signs of classicism in comedy are clearly preserved. The playwright achieved the comic effect by the complete inconsistency of the behavior of the characters with common sense and moral standards. "Brigadier" for Russian literature wasa new genre phenomenon is the comedy of manners. Fonvizin explains the actions of the characters by the everyday environment. His satire is not specific, as he does not identify individual bearers of social vices.

The head of the brigade and his wife decide to marry their son Ivanushka to the clever and beautiful Sophia, the adviser's daughter, who, observing the behavior of this family, does not want to become related to them. The groom himself also does not have feelings for the bride, and when he finds out that she is in love with Dobrolyubov, he convinces his mother of this undertaking. An intrigue arises in the house: the foreman falls in love with the adviser, and the adviser with the foreman's wife, but in the end everything falls into place and only Sofya and Dobrolyubov remain happy.

"Undergrowth": idea and summary

In the work, the socio-political conflict becomes the main thing. "Undergrowth" is the most recognizable comedy of classicism, the signs of which are three unities, a strict division into positive and negative characters, speaking names - Fonvizin successfully observes. For the author, there are two categories of nobles: malevolent and progressive. The theme of the poverty of serfdom in Russia sounds openly. The playwright's innovation is manifested in the creation of positive images, which, according to the plan, were supposed to have an educational effect, but he continues to retain signs of classicism. In the comedy "Undergrowth" the character of Prostakova was a kind of discovery for Fonvizin. This heroine is an image of a Russian landowner - narrow-minded, greedy, rude, but lovingown son. Despite all the typicality, it reveals individual character traits. A number of researchers saw features of enlightenment realism in the comedy, while others drew attention to the normative poetics of classicism.

The Prostakov family plans to marry their mediocrity Mitrofanushka to the clever Sophia. Mother and father despise education and argue that knowledge of grammar and arithmetic is useless, however, they hire teachers for their son: Tsyfirkin, Vralman, Kuteikin. Mitrofan has a rival - Skotinin, Prostakova's brother, who wants to get married out of a desire to become the owner of villages with pigs. However, a worthy husband, Milon, is found for the girl; Sophia's uncle, Starodum, approves of their union.