Fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich". Main characters, description, summary

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

Ivan Tsarevich is a character we all know and love since childhood. Being the protagonist of a huge number of magical stories, he undoubtedly influences the events intertwined in their storylines. An uncomplicated hero makes a folklore story interesting due to the immediacy of his character and peculiarities of speech. In what fairy tales is Ivan Tsarevich? Of course, in a good half of them. A summary of these stories, their meaning, idea and message, as well as the features of the image of a young man and other heroes - all this will be discussed in the article presented to your attention.

The main character of Russian folklore

Many are interested in the question: who invented Ivan Tsarevich and when? Oddly enough, but the character is relatively young, as he firmly entered the epics and legends only at the end of the 18th century. Invented by the people themselves, he became their personification, a symbol. The prototype is the most ordinary village Vanya-Ivan, from him the folklore character took both positive and negative character traits. Usually he is always the third son of the father-king, in some stories the character has three sisters, performs three tasks,thrice goes with battle against evil forces. Three repetitions in the fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf", "The Frog Princess" and others are not accidental. Among the Slavs, three was a sacred number, symbolizing development, movement, the beginning, origins, harmony. In folklore stories, it indicates that one should not give up if something does not work the first time: God, as you know, loves the trinity. Instead, you need to keep moving forward, don't give up, don't lose heart.

As already mentioned, Ivan Tsarevich is the embodiment of the Russian people themselves. This character is often positive: he fights evil, helps the weak, saves the world from another fiery Serpent or immortal Koshchei. And he always receives a reward for all his good deeds: a throne, a kingdom, a beautiful wife, a magic horse, precious objects. Sometimes he has weaknesses in the form of doubt, disobedience. But other heroes return him to the true path, as evidenced by the proverb from the fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf": "He took hold of the tug - do not say that it is not hefty." It was with this phrase that the beast answered the hero to his complaints because of the violation of the ban: they say, if you have already started something, do not quit, bring it to the end without unnecessary moaning. By the way, Ivan Tsarevich can also be a negative character: insidious and evil. Then he is opposed to his brothers or the son of a fisherman. At the end of the story, the bad hero is always shamed and deservedly punished.

Why fool?

Any fairy tale teaches goodness and peace. Ivan Tsarevich, being one of its main characters, often becomes the physical embodiment of nobility.and honesty. But often he is exposed as a fool: unlucky, absent-minded, inept. For example, P. P. Ershov successfully described this characterization of Vanya in The Little Humpbacked Horse: “Father had three sons. The older one was a smart kid. The middle one was like that. The younger one was an idiot. But in a magical way, it is Ivan's stupidity that brings him true happiness, victory, success. This is because honest, open and fair people were often called fools in Russia. They will not cheat, deceive, commit a crime - such generosity of the soul is incomprehensible to pragmatists. But they forget about retribution and reward for what they have done. Ivan receives we alth and happiness for his efforts, even if he is a fool.

There is another version of this nickname. Folklorists and anthropologists argue that the tradition of giving offensive additions to the name was invented by our ancestors - the Slavs. They believed that with negative prefixes they protect their child from evil and misfortune. The nickname became a talisman. Ivan really surprises with his stupid deeds. Agree, going to look for the missing bride or the hidden Serpent, he relies not on the mind, but on intuition. In addition, the character is often straightforward, simple and naive, which also does not speak of his wisdom. But in the end, he rests on his laurels, unlike his "reasonable" brothers.

Character of Ivan Tsarevich

He's positive. The hero of fairy tales, Ivan Tsarevich, is a kind person. He selflessly helps others, does not think about profit. At the same time, he knows how to maintain his own dignity, answering Baba Yaga's questions directly, withoutirony, slyness. Like, you first feed and put to bed, and only then we will have conversations. Ivan is not afraid of her, he quickly takes the initiative in his hands, showing firmness of character. The character also has diplomatic qualities, he always knows when to ask and when to order.

The image of Ivan Tsarevich in fairy tales is transformed after his journey. And this is not surprising. In ancient Russia, as in other cultures, a trip and wandering around the world is a symbol of pilgrimage, a sacred ritual. During the journey, a person succumbs to dangers, temptations, learning to be wise and patient. Therefore, returning to his native land, he becomes more mature, smarter, thinks more interesting and original. After the trip, Vanya also changes dramatically. Having acquired courageous qualities in the campaign, he retains them. Now he correctly uses his strength and intelligence, the possibilities of which he did not even suspect before.

Ivan and his princesses

Let's first draw up a conditional plan for a fairy tale. Ivan Tsarevich lives at first - he does not grieve, he lies on the stove. Then events develop depending on the problem that has arisen, for example: the threat of Koshchei, the kidnapping of the bride, the order of the father-king. The culmination is a fight with evil spirits. And the story ends with the triumph of kindness and Ivan himself. The plot is almost always the same, but the main character can be different.

Depending on his character traits, the hero also gets a bride:

• Ivan the dreamer. Introduced in the fairy tale "Elena the Wise". Thinks about the eternal, plays onharp. Elena the Wise must be nearby, who, being reasonable and smart, forgives her husband's cute eccentricities, looks at them through her fingers.
• Ivan is a loser. Featured in "The Frog Princess". The Russian land is wide, but his arrow hits precisely in a deep swamp. Such a character needs Vasilisa the Beautiful, who is not only beautiful, but also resourceful. Thanks to her flexible mind, she not only gets herself out of unpleasant situations safely, but also saves her husband.
• Ivan the Good-natured ("Marya Morevna"). Shares bread with the poor, saves animals. A hospitable and gentle spouse needs a strict wife. Such is Marya the Princess, a strong and strong-willed woman.

Female images complement the main character, "saturating" him with those qualities, the absence of which he sins. Thanks to this, harmony is created in the fairy tale: in its plot and in the relationship between the characters.

Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf

Who are the main characters of this story, it becomes clear only from the title itself. The talking wolf is one of the central characters, which makes this tale not only magical, but also partially "zoological". The story tells about one family, where there is a king and his three sons. The heirs constantly compete not only for the love of their father, but also for the right to receive the throne and we alth after his death. To this end, fulfilling the instructions of the parent, they are trying to catch the Firebird, which has gotten used to their garden. Unable to catch the feathered beauty on the spot, they went in search of her. The younger, Ivan, meets the Gray Wolf, who eats his horse. At the same time, the animal begins to serve the prince, fulfilling his instructions: first, he turns into the Firebird, then into the golden-maned horse and Elena the Beautiful. By the way, the restless priest also ordered to present the latter. Unfortunately, the envious brothers betray Ivan, taking away the princess and the Firebird from him. But the wolf immediately comes to the rescue - everything falls into place.

The fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" is one of the most famous in Russia. Based on her motives, cartoons and films were shot, performances were staged. Even pictures are drawn: for example, Vasnetsov's masterpiece under the same name. The main character - the wolf - is shown here from the positive side: he is loyal, honest and noble. But the brothers, although they are of royal blood, are depicted as negative characters: insidious, envious. Not wanting to be known as failures before their father, they even went to betrayal. The fairy tale teaches readers one simple truth: evil gives rise to the same negative, while good always returns a hundredfold. In addition, not everything in life comes from perseverance and hard work: sometimes you need to use cunning and ingenuity.

The Frog Princess

The main character that this tale introduces us to is Ivan Tsarevich. The summary of this story is familiar to each of us since childhood. At first, the main character seems to be a loser: his arrow falls into a swamp, and he is forced to marry a frog. But in fact, he was very lucky. It turned out that his wife was the bewitched Vasilisa the Beautiful. She is both beautiful and very smart. All tasks - tests of the king girlperforms skillfully and with dignity, bypassing sister-in-laws - the spouse of older brothers. It is clear that such a clever girl could not help but be noticed by the evil Koshchei, who steals the girl. Ivan goes in search of her: on the way he meets many animals he helps - a pike, a drake, a hare and a bear. At first he wants to eat them, but then he takes pity and grants life to everyone. For this, the animals will reward the savior in due time - they will help him overcome Koshchei and save the bride.

Like "The Tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf", this story teaches us love, including for animals. It shows that our smaller brothers are able to help in response to care and guardianship. The story demonstrates that compassion is always rewarded. At the same time, real evil - in the form of Koshchei or other evil spirits - will be fairly punished. Vasilisa's modesty and purity overcome the arrogance and envy of her sister-in-law. The tale teaches that a person is always obliged to achieve his goal. Ivan overcomes many difficulties on his way, but the perseverance and determination of the prince are rewarded. In the end, he saves Vasilisa: they live happily ever after.

The Tale of Rejuvenating Apples and Living Water

The plot of a magical story is typical. "The Tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" is very similar to this story. It also has a king and three sons who are trying with might and main to please their father. Batiushka, being at an advanced age, took it into his head to regain his youth and gain immortality. To achieve his goal, he needed rejuvenating apples and living water. And whom did he send for them to the distant kingdom? Of course, heirs. First went tosearching for the elder brother Fyodor, but he managed to be captured by a cunning and crafty girl. Then the middle son, Vasily, decided to try his luck, but the same fate befell him. There was no hope for the younger, from the birth of a true fool. But the father had no choice but to entrust Ivan with a similar task.

The prince at the crossroads intuitively made the right choice, so Baba Yaga helps him reach the magical garden under the protection of Sineglazka. Then Ivan picked apples, poured water and went home. Sineglazka caught up with him, but instead of being punished for the theft, the prince received her forgiveness and love in addition. On the way, he freed the brothers, then they betrayed the prince. All his merits were appropriated by cunning relatives. But Nagai the Bird, a faithful friend of Blue Eyes, freed him from the abyss and helped restore justice. Ivan married Sineglazka and lived happily in her kingdom. The main idea of “The Tale of Rejuvenating Apples…” is that betrayal does not lead to anything good. Youth cannot be eternal, it is impossible to gain immortality. The main thing is to live the measured years honestly and nobly. And for selfishness, everyone will get what they deserve.

Marya Morevna

In what fairy tales is Ivan Tsarevich? In addition to the above, the character is present in the magical story about Marya Morevna. At first, after the death of his parents, he gives his sisters in marriage - to Eagle, Falcon and Raven. Then he meets the beautiful warrior maiden Marya, whom he soon marries. But, having violated the prohibition of his beloved, Ivan loses her - the evil Koschey kidnaps the girl. In search of a wife, the prince is servednumerous trials, including death. Animals and brothers-in-law come to his aid: in the end, the prince copes with the tasks of Baba Yaga, defeats Koshchei and frees Marya.

The idea of the tale is this: obedience is the key to a calm and harmonious life. After all, violation of the ban often leads to numerous troubles. History teaches nobility, patience, determination - they help to cope with difficulties. In the end, good will surely triumph. The main thing is to be able to repent in time, admit a mistake and do everything to correct what you have done. And also gain valuable experience so that you never make the wrong decision again.

The Sea King and Vasilisa the Wise

The Russian folk tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf", as well as other fairy tales, tells that the line between good and evil is very thin. These two forces always interact and feed each other. Without light, there are no shadows; the latter bring zest to worldly life. Therefore, the story of "The Sea King and Vasilisa the Wise" also carries this idea through the entire plot. It tells about the priest, who was captured by the water lord. Inadvertently, he promises to give away what he does not know at home. Unfortunately, this is a small son born in his absence. Over time, Ivan, who has grown up a little, goes to the Sea King, but on the way he meets an old woman who tells him how to earn the favor of the monster's youngest daughter and thereby save himself from death.

Having fallen under water, the prince courageously passes the test - helpshim in this young princess, who later becomes his wife. Young people successfully escape from the depths of the sea to their homeland to Ivan, where they remain to live happily and richly. What does a fairy tale teach? Ivan Tsarevich at first rudely answers the old woman, then corrects himself and receives valuable advice. The first thing that history conveys to us is that respect the elders, their wisdom and life experience will help in any difficult situations. The second thing the fairy tale teaches is to love and appreciate your land. Having received everything that you dream of in a foreign land, you will still soon yearn for your native places. There is nothing more precious than the Motherland and one's own family.

Conclusions

Positive and negative characters are united by a fairy tale. Ivan Tsarevich in most cases is a positive hero. In the story "Crystal Mountain", he managed to correctly divide the prey between the animals, for which he was rewarded with the power of reincarnation into a falcon and an ant. Having acquired miraculous abilities, he managed to win the princess and defeat the terrible snakes. As in all the above stories, in this tale he shows his honesty, justice, ingenuity. Due to his good qualities of character, he is strong in overcoming any obstacles.

Therefore, any fairy tale teaches young readers openness, sincerity. The animals represented in it are the same people. Through the images of animals, folk tales show how not to treat relatives, friends, colleagues and just strangers. Any fairy tale says that justice will surely prevail. But for this you need to make an effort, ingenuity,show endurance and patience. The events in each magical story may not be ordinary, but they are closely intertwined with ordinary real life situations. Vivid images help us to see the truth in the cruel reality, to catch lies. They teach people to be hardworking, kind and devoted, warn against greed, envy and duplicity.