G.R. Derzhavin, ode "Felitsa": summary, description and analysis

In the seventies of the eighteenth century, Russian literature began to change. They relate specifically to poetry in such a way that they destroy canonized forms. Little by little Lomonosov, Maikov, Kheraskov started it, but Derzhavin as a rebel came to the world of genres. In particular, this applies to the genre of solemn odes, as indicated, if carefully and thoughtfully, by the "Felitsa" ode, which is summarized below.

Name of the ode

Felicitas in Latin means "happiness." But this is not enough. Derzhavin read a fairy tale, which Catherine II wrote for her grandson, Alexander, on behalf of the princess Felitsa Tsarevich Chlor, who will later be seen in the text as an acting hero. Because of mockery of the nobles who surrounded Catherine II, friends did not advise printing an ode. It is not harmless, this ode is "Felitsa". The short content of the long work could anger high dignitaries. And how could the Empress herself react to the humorous description of her life? Moreover, it speaks about important issues. Nevertheless, the ode was printed and evoked tears of emotion of the Empress. She learned who was its author, and in every way it benefited. The schoolchildren of our days are not interested in the ode "Felitsa". They will read a brief summary of the need, and with sorrow.

Start

The first ten verses tell how the princess, like the gods, showed the way to the captive Tsarevich Chlora - the way to the place where a rose without thorns grows. He needed this rose to free himself from slavery. And the rose grows on a high mountain where the abode of virtue is. This tale of the Tsarevich and the daughter of Khan Felice was composed, as already mentioned, by the Empress herself. So that Ode "Felitsa", the summary of which includes a retelling of the work of Catherine II, could not help flattering the Empress. The second ten verses ask Felitsa to help them learn how to live properly, because the author himself is weak and can not cope with everyday passions.

"Simplicity" of the Empress

In the next ten verses Derzhavin creates an ideal image of the heroine, describing her behavior and habits: love of walking, simple food, reading and writing, a measured daily routine. All this was not different for her contemporaries. A portrait description is missing (meaning the ode "Felitsa"). Derzhavin, a brief summary of this, highlights the democratism of the monarchy, unpretentiousness, affability.

Irony and Satire

Such a novelty introduces the poet into an ode, while previously such liberties in this genre were not allowed. He opposes the virtuous Felic to her entourage. The poet writes in the first person, but he has in mind Prince Potemkin, who leads a rambling life at the court and, while fighting, presents himself as a sovereign ruler, like the sultan. Going to war, and he fought a lot and, as a rule, successfully, spends his days at feasts, where delicious food, which is not considered, is served on gold dishes. Or riding in a golden coach accompanied by friends, dogs, beauties.

Do not forget the author and AG Orlova (ode "Felitsa"). Derzhavin (a brief summary we are considering) tells of his love of horse racing. The Orlovs at horse plants bred thoroughbred trotters. On his remarkable horses, the Count arranged for jumps. Derzhavin also remembers the enthusiasm of Orlovs' favorites for dances and fisticuffs. In this they amused their spirit.

In addition, the poet mentions PI Panin, who helped the Empress in a coup. Panin loved dog hunting and paid much to her time, forgetting about state affairs. Do not deprive Derzhavin of the attention of such a great courtier as Naryshkin, who adored at night, and why at night, it is unknown, to ride on the Neva, accompanied by a whole orchestra of musicians with horny instruments. Silence and peace in the capital city could only be dreamed of by a common man who labored hard for his own bread. Well, how can one not smile at the peaceful entertainment of General Prosecutor Vyazemsky? In his spare time, he read lubovye stories and dozed over the Bible.

The poet is also sarcastic about himself, as if he considers himself to be a narrow circle of the elect. In this ironic way, no one dared to write. Ode "Felitsa" (Derzhavin), the summary of which is transmitted here, has become an innovative work. When Derzhavin was reproached with ridicule, which today seem rather harmless, the poet pointed to a place where he describes his shortcomings, for example, to drive pigeons on a pigeon or simply play cards in a fool. People, according to the poet, and rightly so, are not inclined to engage in serious business all the time. It is important only not to run after empty dreams, not to lead a luxurious and lazy life and not grumble when they demand money for state affairs. And this was famous for Potemkin and Prince Vyazemsky, whom Catherine II described in her fairy tale about Tsarevich Chlora under the names of Lentyag and Bryuzga.

Literary anecdote

But the poet has no condemnation of the empress, who is surrounded by people with human weaknesses. After all, their talents stand at the service of the prosperity of the great empire. This shows the analysis of Derzhavin's poem "Felitsa". AT Portraits of the courtier courtiers used the reception of a literary anecdote. In those days, an anecdote was understood as a real story about a real person, but artistically crafted, which has an instructive or satirical sound. Indeed, in the memory of the descendants remained a reveler, a duelist and tireless ladies' man, Catherine II's favorite Alexei Orlov, a cautious Panin, a sybarite, but also a warrior-winner Potemkin. Describes the gradual departure from the stage of Freemasons, which began in the days of Catherine II under the influence of the bloody revolution in France. Masons are mentioned at the very beginning of the ode. But on the whole Derzhavin's irony was not of a pathos, of an accusatory nature, it was soft, rather, joking.

How to create the image of Catherine

Through the fairy tale about the clever Felice, who helps Prince Chlorine, Derzhavin creates the image of an ideal ruler. Where an ordinary person, Derzhavin says, gets lost, follows the passions, one princess can illuminate everything with her wisdom. He hints at the creation of provinces in the state, which led to the administration of it in a greater order. He appreciates in Catherine II that she does not humiliate people, does not oppress or destroy, like a wolf, and through her fingers looks at their weaknesses. Catherine II - the anointed of God, but not God, and accordingly behaves. People are more qualified for God than for the king. So says the analysis of Derzhavin's poem "Felitsa". The Empress observes this rule, for she is an enlightened monarchy. And, nevertheless, Derzhavin decides to give a very delicate advice to the empress: having divided the state into a province, to bind them with laws so that there are no disagreements. Further, he beautifully compares it with a skilful captain, leading a ship through the stormy sea.

Emphasizing modesty and generosity in the image of Catherine

Many stanzas are devoted to this, but most importantly, she renounced the titles "Wisdom", "Great", "Motherland", which she presented the senators. Yes, modesty was false, but it looked beautiful. When you carefully read not only the ode, but also the comments to it, such conclusions imply the analysis of the ode "Felitsa" Derzhavin G.R.

Idealizing the image of Catherine

In the first part of the ode, the image of a monarchy with simple habits of an ordinary person greatly impresses the poet. Then Derzhavin praises her as a wise statesman. It is the image of an enlightened sovereign in comparison with the tsars who ruled before her, often profoundly ignorant and cruel. In the third and final part, an image of a philosopher highly floating above his subjects is created, which deeply reflects on the destinies of the state and the people. These are all the ideals of Derzhavin in the dress "Felitsa." Felitsa is a living goddess on earth, which is confirmed by the final stanzas. They are full of praise, and no wonder that the Empress shed tears, reading this essay.

Eastern motifs in clothes

Having built the ode "Felitsa" from the beginning to the end on the eastern fairy tale written by the monarchy itself, Derzhavin gave it an oriental flavor. In it there are Lentag, Bruzga, Murza, Khan, Khan's daughter, god-like princess. This creates a special "smack", unusual for Russian prose or poetry. In addition, making the object of poetry a monarchy, the poet wrote an ode as a praise and at the same time as a satirical work. This ensures the originality of the odes of Gabriel Derzhavin "Felitsa". He was one of the first poets to begin to discover in the literature new treasures of the living word, one of those whose creativity does not fit into the framework of the theory of the three styles.