Ancient Literature: Definition, Genres, History

The term "ancient literature" is understood as a kind of layer of Russian culture, covering the period from the 11th to the 17th century. The works created in these centuries are distinguished by their originality and originality. The differences are primarily due to the fact that the culture of Ancient Rus was not similar to any other in the medieval period.

Character traits

The main feature of ancient Russian literature, and at the same time its key difference from the works that are present in Western European culture, is that it was not intended for entertainment and idle reading. The goal, which was asked by the authors of those years, was primarily spiritual instruction. Their works taught, passed on the life experience of generations, brought up the patriotic spirit. Consequently, the characteristic features of this literature are instructive, documentary, publicistic.

One of the main subjects of the artistic image in the works of that era is a real historical event. There is no fictional plot line in them. The authors, as a rule, depicted the events that they themselves witnessed. They could not hold a detached objective position.

Works that include ancient literature are permeated with an unusual patriotic spirit. Historicism is present in them, but at the same time, one more characteristic feature is anonymity. Very few authors left their names on the pages of these creations, although they wrote them, of course, by hand. Manuscript character can also be attributed to the distinctive properties that ancient literature possesses. The first printed books in Russia appeared later than in the countries of Western Europe. Therefore, cultural monuments of Ancient Rus are, as a rule, handwritten texts.

The influence of other literary trends

As already mentioned, the authors of Old Russian works did not consider it necessary to entertain their readers with adventure stories that are easy to perceive. Therefore, in the books of that period, there is no fiction whatsoever. An important function of artistic works was the development of spiritual consciousness.

Ancient Russian literature is quite original. In the works of other peoples it is impossible to find anything like that. However, it was influenced by the hagiographic literature. Christianity was already accepted in Russia. And it is from this medieval literary trend, originating in Byzantine church works, that the authors adopted instructiveness and spirituality. But at the same time in the pages of their works you can find shades of national color. In the writings of ancient Russian writers, undoubtedly, the influence of oral folk art is traced. It manifests itself primarily in the characters of the protagonists.

Positive character

The main criterion, the observance of which the ancient literature differs from others, is the spirituality and exemplary spiritual beauty of the protagonist. He could not be a negative character. Beauty can only be one who is kind. Only a person with a noble soul can be perfect. Such an installation originates in the Russian folk art.

The writers of Ancient Rus were given enormous responsibility. Occupying a clear civil position, they glorified their native land and experienced about its strengthening. According to modern critics, the work of ancient literature contributed to strengthening the unity of the people. The proof of this point of view is "The Lay of Igor's Host".

Alexander Musin-Pushkin

This man was a well-known public figure in his time, a scrupulous collector of oral folk art. He was extremely interested in the history of ancient Russian literature. And "The Lay of Igor's Host" was first read by this man.

In 1792 he worked in the archives of the Spaso-Yaroslavl Monastery and discovered a copy of the ancient manuscript. Unfortunately, during the Patriotic War of 1812 this document burned down. Musin-Pushkin transported the find to the Moscow archive, where she died as a result of the legendary fire. Thus, neither the original nor the copies have survived to this day. However, there is evidence of the authenticity of the "Word". Researchers, whose subject is the history of ancient literature, found in the largest monument of Russian culture "Zadonshchina" excerpts from the text of the manuscript.

The basis of the plot

"The Lay of Igor's Host" has, like other ancient Russian creations, a historical character. The plot is based on events related to the campaign against the Polovtsi of Novgorod the Great Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich. This campaign was held in 1185. The main stages of the plot, as in other works of Old Russian literature, are the outset, the culmination, the denouement. This pattern is also characteristic of the military story - one of the main genres of this cultural period.

The plot structure of the "Word"

Tie is placed, oddly enough, not at the beginning of the work, but a little further. This structure is explained by the fact that the author preferred to pay attention to the introduction before. In it, he defined the time frame of his work and acquainted the readers with his own manner of narration. The plot is Igor's decision to go camping.

The development of the plot is such events as a solar eclipse and the first battle. At the culmination we are talking about the defeat of the Russian army and the capture of Igor. The denouement of the plot is escape from bondage, as well as the jubilation of the inhabitants of the Russian land.

In the plot there are many copyright digressions and artistic sketches. All these elements serve to reinforce the idea of the work, which consists in the call to unite all Russian people in the fight against the external enemy.

The genre of The Lay of Igor's Host is defined in different ways. This is a song, a poem, and a heroic tale. Most likely, this work can be attributed to one of the main artistic trends - the word. It is necessary to consider other genres of ancient literature. Some have an original character, others are borrowed from other sources.

Life

Various forms have works that include ancient literature. Life is one and the genres of that era. It refers to the church literature. The subject of the image in such works is the life and deeds of the saints.

Life - this is a kind of artistic biography of a legendary personality, which is ranked among the saints. The work in this genre, as a rule, narrates about the events, covering the period from the moment of appearance of the protagonist to the light and up to his death. The composition has a ring structure. A vivid example is the Life of Sergius of Radonezh.

It should be said that none of the creations of Old Russian authors are not stand alone. The works were supplemented by each other, they expanded, and new stories about miracles connected with the deeds of the saints were gradually entered in them. Such a character has also military stories, the stories of which are intertwined with each other.

Other genres

The chronicle was a detailed record of important historical events. Of course, the main feature in the works of this genre was publicism. They almost did not use artistic means. The name itself is explained by the fact that the entries were made every year, and each of them began with the words: "In the summer ...".

The authors sought to create and validate a model of behavior for any Old Russian person. To do this, they created original instructive works, which, as a rule, were part of the annals. Norms, which they pointed out, concerned everyone - from the prince to the commoner. Such a genre in ancient literature is called a teaching.

The war story depicted the battles of Russian soldiers with an external enemy. Such works could be part of the annals. But often were a separate full-fledged creation.

Many Old Russian works are valuable due to their documentary character and are important historical sources and heritage of national culture.