Novgorod epics. Legends of the region

According to S.A. Azbelev, numbering 53 plots of heroic epics, Vasily Buslaev is the main character of two of them (Nos. 40 and 41 according to the index compiled by Azbelev).40. Vasily Buslaev and Novgorodians41. The trip of Vasily BuslaevVasily Buslaev is a Novgorod hero, representing the ideal of brave boundless prowess. This is the most famous of the folklore characters bearing the name Vasily. The first of the epic stories dedicated to Vasily Buslaev tells about his conflict with the city community. WITH youth for Vaska there is no constraint; he always does as he pleases, not paying attention to the harm that his actions cause. Having turned the majority of Novgorodians against himself, he gathers a squad of daredevils like himself, and becomes more and more violent; only his mother has at least a shadow of power over him. Finally, inspired at the feast, Vasily bets that he will fight at the head of his squad on the Volkhov Bridge with all the Novgorod men. The fight begins, and Vasily's threat to beat every last one of his opponents is close to coming true; only the intervention of Vasily’s mother saves the Novgorodians. Vasily Buslaev The second of the epic stories dedicated to Vasily Buslaev depicts this hero no longer as a youth, but as a mature man. Feeling the severity of his sins, Vasily goes to Jerusalem to pray for them. But the pilgrimage to the Holy Places does not change the character of the hero: he defiantly violates all prohibitions and on the way back he dies in the most ridiculous way, trying to prove his youth. The type of Vasily Buslaev was little developed in the pre-revolutionary scientific literature. Most researchers have spoken in favor of the originality of this type, considering him to be the personification of the power of Novgorod itself, while Sadko serves as the personification of its wealth. One of the main characters of the famous film by Sergei Eisenstein “Alexander Nevsky”, filmed in 1938, is the Novgorod guy Vaska Buslay (not Buslaev!). This character “inherited” two traits characteristic of the epic Vasily Buslaev: reckless prowess and respect for his mother. Otherwise, the cinematic hero is sharply different from the epic: he does not oppose himself to the community, and his overflowing energy is skillfully directed by Prince Alexander in the right direction (he is entrusted with the most important and most dangerous place in the upcoming battle). Cheerful and full of inventions, Vaska Buslay is presented as a friend and rival of the sedate boyar Gavrila Aleksich. In the Battle of the Ice, both perform great feats, and at the end of the film, Buslay himself generously recognizes the superiority of his older friend in military valor. In 1982, director Gennady Vasilyev shot the fairy tale film “Vasily Buslaev.” The author of the script used certain motifs from epics about Vasily Buslaev (and in a very free interpretation).

Epic stories, the hero of which is Vasily Buslaev

According to S.A. Azbelev, numbering 53 plots of heroic epics, Vasily Buslaev is the main hero of three of them (No. 40, 41 and 42 according to the index compiled by Azbelev).

40. Vasily Buslaev and Novgorodians

41. Trip of Vasily Buslaev

42. Death of Vasily Buslaev

The image of Vasily Buslaev in epics

Vasily Buslaev is a Novgorod hero, representing the ideal of valiant boundless prowess. This is the most famous of the folklore characters named Vasily.

The first of the epic stories dedicated to Vasily Buslaev tells about his conflict with the city community. From a young age, Vaska has no embarrassment; he always does as he pleases, not paying attention to the harm that his actions cause. Having turned the majority of Novgorodians against himself, he gathers a squad of daredevils like himself, and becomes more and more violent; only his mother has at least a shadow of power over him. Finally, inspired at the feast, Vasily bets that he will fight at the head of his squad on the Volkhov Bridge with all the Novgorod men. The battle begins and Vasily’s threat to beat every last one of his opponents is close to being carried out; Only the intervention of Vasily’s mother saves the Novgorodians.

The second of the epic plots dedicated to Vasily Buslaev depicts this hero no longer as a youth, but as a mature man. Feeling the severity of his sins, Vasily goes to Jerusalem to pray for them. But the pilgrimage to the Holy Places does not change the character of the hero: he defiantly violates all prohibitions and on the way back he dies in the most ridiculous way, trying to prove his youth.

Vasily Buslaev's type was little developed in pre-revolutionary scientific literature. Most researchers have spoken in favor of the originality of this type, considering him to be the personification of the power of Novgorod itself, while Sadko serves as the personification of its wealth.

Cinema Hero

Nikolai Okhlopkov (left) as Vaska Buslay. Film "Alexander Nevsky"

One of the main characters of the famous film by Sergei Eisenstein "Alexander Nevsky", filmed in 1938, is a Novgorod guy Vaska Buslay (not Buslaev!). This character “inherited” two traits characteristic of the epic Vasily Buslaev: reckless prowess and respect for his mother. Otherwise, the cinematic hero is sharply different from the epic: he does not oppose himself to the community, and his overflowing energy is skillfully directed by Prince Alexander in the right direction (he is entrusted with the most important and most dangerous place in the upcoming battle). Cheerful and full of inventions, Vaska Buslay is presented as a friend and rival of the sedate boyar Gavrila Aleksich. In the Battle of the Ice, both perform great feats, and at the end of the film, Buslay himself generously recognizes his older friend’s superiority in military valor.

In 1982, director Gennady Vasilyev shot the fairy tale film “Vasily Buslaev”. The author of the script used certain motifs from epics about Vasily Buslaev (and in a very free interpretation).

Notes

Literature

• N. I. Kostomarov Historical monographs and studies, Volume 8. St. Petersburg. Type. K. Wolf, 1868. pp. 124-148

Links

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

• Vasily Kosoy
• Sokar

See what “Vasily Buslaev” is in other dictionaries:

VASILY BUSLAEV- VASILY BUSLAEV, USSR, film studio named after. M. Gorky, 1982, color, 81 min. Tale Based on the poem of the same name by Sergei Narovchatov. One day the townsman's son Vaska Buslaev heard alarming news from wanderers that terrible enemies had attacked Rus' and ruined it.... ... Encyclopedia of Cinema

VASILY BUSLAEV- hero of the epics of the Novgorod cycle (14th-15th centuries), a reveler and mischief-maker who entered into battle with all of Novgorod... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Vasily Buslaev- the hero of the epics of the Novgorod cycle (XIV-XV centuries), a reveler and mischief-maker who entered into battle with all of Novgorod. * * * VASILY BUSLAEV VASILY BUSLAEV, hero of the epics of the Novgorod cycle (14-15 centuries), a reveler and mischief-maker who entered into battle with all of Novgorod... encyclopedic Dictionary

Vasily Buslaev- VASILY (Vaska) BUSLAEV folklore character, hero of Novgorod epics Buslaev and the Novgorodians and the Death of Buslaev. Like other epic heroes, V.B. is endowed with fantastic. strength, grows unusually quickly, testing his physical. power on peers,... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

Vasily Buslaev- the hero of two epics of the Novgorod cycle, created during the heyday of trade and political life Novgorod in the 14th and 15th centuries. and experienced later influences of the 16th and 17th centuries. Condemnation of V.B., a reckless drunkard and arsonist, who enters into battle with everything... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

VASILY BUSLAEV- the hero of Russian epics, a boyar's son who got involved with the Novgorod freemen, a reckless drunkard and ushkuinnik, who entered into battle with all of Novgorod. He died on the way from the Holy Land, where he went to atone for his sins.

Russian epics are a reflection historical events, retold by the people, and as a result, suffered strong changes. Each hero and villain in them is most often a real-life personality, whose life or activity was taken as the basis of a character or a collective image that was very important for that time.

Heroes of epics

Ilya Muromets (Russian hero)

Glorious Russian hero and brave warrior. This is exactly how Ilya Muromets appears in the Russian epic epic. Having served Prince Vladimir faithfully, the warrior was paralyzed from birth and sat on the stove for exactly 33 years. Brave, strong and fearless, he was cured of paralysis by the elders and gave all his heroic strength to the defense of the Russian lands from the Nightingale the Robber, the invasion of the Tatar yoke and the Foul Idol.

The hero of epics has real prototype– Elijah of Pechersk, canonized as Ilya of Muromets. In his youth, he suffered paralysis of the limbs, and died from a spear blow to the heart.

Dobrynya Nikitich (Russian hero)

Another hero from the illustrious troika of Russian heroes. He served Prince Vladimir and carried out his personal assignments. He was the closest of all the heroes to the princely family. Strong, brave, dexterous and fearless, he swam beautifully, knew how to play the harp, knew about 12 languages ​​and was a diplomat when deciding state affairs.

The real prototype of the glorious warrior is the governor Dobrynya, who was the uncle of the prince himself on his mother’s side.

Alyosha Popovich (Russian hero)

Alyosha Popovich is the youngest of the three heroes. He is famous not so much for his strength as for his pressure, resourcefulness and cunning. A lover of boasting about his achievements, he was guided on the right path by older heroes. He behaved in two ways towards them. Supporting and protecting the glorious troika, he falsely buried Dobrynya in order to marry his wife Nastasya.

Olesha Popovich is a brave Rostov boyar, whose name is associated with the appearance of the image of the epic hero-hero.

Sadko (Novgorod hero)

A lucky guslar from Novgorod epics. For many years he earned his daily bread by playing the harp. Having received a reward from the Tsar of the Sea, Sadko became rich and set off by sea to overseas countries with 30 ships. Along the way, his benefactor took him to him as a ransom. According to the instructions of Nicholas the Wonderworker, the guslar managed to escape from captivity.

The prototype of the hero is Sodko Sytinets, a Novgorod merchant.

Svyatogor (hero-giant)

A giant and hero with remarkable strength. Huge and powerful, born in the Mountains of the Saints. As he walked, the forests shook and the rivers overflowed. Svyatogor transferred part of his power in the writings of the Russian epic to Ilya Muromets. Soon after this he died.

There is no real prototype of the image of Svyatogor. It is a symbol of enormous primitive power, which has never been used.

Mikula Selyaninovich (plowman-hero)

The hero and the peasant who plowed the land. According to the epics, he knew Svyatogor and gave him a bag to lift full of earthly weight. According to legend, it was impossible to fight with the plowman; he was under the protection of Mother Damp Earth. His daughters are the wives of the heroes, Stavr and Dobrynya.

The image of Mikula is fictitious. The name itself is derived from Mikhail and Nikolai, common at that time.

Volga Svyatoslavich (Russian hero)

Hero-bogatyr of the most ancient epics. He possessed not only impressive strength, but also the ability to understand the language of birds, as well as to turn into any animal and turn others into them. He went on campaigns to Turkish and Indian lands, and then became their ruler.

Many scientists identify the image of Volga Svyatoslavich with Oleg the Prophet.

Nikita Kozhemyaka (Kyiv hero)

Hero of Kyiv epics. A brave hero with enormous strength. Could easily tear apart a dozen folded bull hides. He snatched the skin and meat from the angry bulls rushing towards him. He became famous for defeating the snake, freeing the princess from his captivity.

The hero owes his appearance to the myths about Perun, reduced to everyday manifestations of miraculous power.

Stavr Godinovich (Chernigov boyar)

Stavr Godinovich is a boyar from the Chernihiv region. He was known for his good playing of the harp and his strong love for his wife, whose talents he was not averse to boasting to others. In epics it does not play the main role. More famous is his wife Vasilisa Mikulishna, who rescued her husband from imprisonment in the dungeons of Vladimir Krasna Solnyshka.

There is a mention of the real Sotsk Stavr in the chronicles of 1118. He was also imprisoned in the cellars of Prince Vladimir Monomakh after the riots.

The main characters of epics are heroes. They embody the ideal of a courageous person devoted to his homeland and people. The hero fights alone against hordes of enemy forces. Among the epics, a group of the most ancient stands out. These are the so-called epics about “elder” heroes, associated with mythology. The heroes of these works are the personification of unknown forces of nature associated with mythology. Such are Svyatogor and Volkhv Vseslavevich, Danube and Mikhailo Potyk.

In the second period of their history, the ancient heroes were replaced by heroes of modern times - Ilya Muromets, Nikitich And Alesha Popovich. These are the heroes of the so-called Kyiv cycle epic Under cyclization refers to the unification of epic images and plots around individual characters and places of action. This is how the Kiev cycle of epics, associated with the city of Kiev, developed.

Most epics depict the world Kievan Rus. The heroes go to Kyiv to serve Prince Vladimir, and they protect him from enemy hordes. The content of these epics is predominantly heroic and military in nature.

Another major center ancient Russian state was Novgorod. Epics Novgorod cycle- everyday, novelistic 4. The heroes of these epics were merchants, princes, peasants, guslars (Sadko, Volga, Mikula, Vasily Buslaev, Blud Khotenovich).

The world depicted in epics is the entire Russian land. So, Ilya Muromets sees from the Bogatyrskaya outpost high mountains, green meadows, dark forests. The epic world is “bright” and “sunny”, but it is threatened by enemy forces: dark clouds, fog, thunderstorms are approaching, the sun and stars are dimming from countless enemy hordes. This is a world of opposition between good and evil, light and dark forces. In it, heroes fight against the manifestation of evil and violence. Without this struggle, the epic peace is impossible.

Each hero has a certain, dominant character trait. Ilya Muromets personifies strength; he is the most powerful Russian hero after Svyatogor. Dobrynya is also a strong and brave warrior, a snake fighter, but also a hero-diplomat. Prince Vladimir sends him on special diplomatic missions. Alyosha Popovich personifies ingenuity and cunning. “He won’t take it by force, but by cunning,” they say about him in epics. Monumental images of heroes and grandiose achievements are the fruit of artistic generalization, the embodiment in one person of the abilities and strength of the people or social group, exaggeration of what actually exists, i.e. hyperbolization 5 and idealization 6. Poetic language the epic is solemnly melodious and rhythmically organized. His special artistic means - comparisons, metaphors, epithets - reproduce pictures and images that are epically sublime, grandiose, and when depicting enemies - terrible, ugly. 7

In different epics, motifs and images, plot elements, identical scenes, lines and groups of lines are repeated. Thus, through all the epics of the Kyiv cycle there are images of Prince Vladimir, the city of Kyiv, and heroes. Bylinas, like other works of folk art, do not have a fixed text. Passed from mouth to mouth, they changed and varied. Each epic had an infinite number of variants.

In epics, fabulous miracles are performed: the reincarnation of characters, raising the dead, werewolf. They contain mythological images of enemies and fantastic elements, but the fantasy is different from that of a fairy tale. It is based on folk historical ideas. The famous folklorist of the 19th century A.F. Hilferding wrote:

“When a person doubts that a hero can carry a forty-pound club or kill an entire army on the spot, the epic poetry in him is killed. And many signs convinced me that the northern Russian peasant singing epics, and the vast majority of those who listen to him, certainly believe in the truth of the miracles that are depicted in the epic. The epic preserved historical memory. Miracles were perceived as history in the life of the people.” 8

There are many historically reliable signs in the epics: descriptions of details, ancient weapons of warriors (sword, shield, spear, helmet, chain mail). They glorify Kyiv-grad, Chernigov, Murom, Galich. Other ancient Russian cities are named. Events also unfold in Ancient Novgorod. They indicate the names of some historical figures: Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh. These princes were united in the popular imagination into one collective image of Prince Vladimir - “Red Sun”.

There is a lot of fantasy and fiction in epics. But fiction is poetic truth. The epics reflected the historical conditions of life Slavic people: aggressive campaigns of the Pechenegs and Polovtsians to Rus', destruction of villages, full of women and children, plunder of wealth. Later, in the XIII-XIV centuries, Rus' was under the yoke of the Mongol-Tatars, which is also reflected in epics. During the years of people's trials, they instilled love for native land. It is no coincidence that the epic is a heroic folk song about the feat of the defenders of the Russian land.

However, epics depict not only the heroic deeds of heroes, enemy invasions, battles, but also everyday human life in its social and everyday manifestations and historical conditions. This is reflected in the cycle of Novgorod epics. In them, the heroes are noticeably different from the epic heroes of the Russian epic. The epics about Sadko and Vasily Buslaev include not just new original themes and plots, but also new epic images, new types of heroes who do not know other epic cycles. Novgorod heroes, unlike the heroes of the heroic cycle, do not commit feats of arms. This is explained by the fact that Novgorod escaped the Horde invasion; Batu’s hordes did not reach the city. However, the Novgorodians could not only rebel (V. Buslaev) and play the gusli (Sadko), but also fight and win brilliant victories over the conquerors from the West.

appears as a Novgorod hero Vasily Buslaev. Two epics are dedicated to him. One of them talks about the political struggle in Novgorod, in which he takes part. Vaska Buslaev rebels against the townspeople, comes to feasts and starts quarrels with “rich merchants”, “men (men) of Novgorod”, enters into a duel with the “elder” Pilgrim - a representative of the church. With his squad, he “fights and fights day until evening.” The townspeople “submitted and made peace” and pledged to pay “three thousand every year.” Thus, the epic depicts a clash between the rich Novgorod settlement, eminent men and those townspeople who defended the independence of the city.

The hero's rebellion is manifested even in his death. In the epic “How Vaska Buslaev Went to Pray,” he violates prohibitions even at the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, swimming naked in the Jordan River. There he dies, remaining a sinner. V.G. Belinsky wrote that “Vasily’s death comes directly from his character, daring and violent, which seems to be asking for trouble and death.” 9

One of the most poetic and fabulous epics of the Novgorod cycle is the epic “Sadko”. V.G. Belinsky defined the epic “as one of the pearls of Russian folk poetry, the poetic apotheosis of 10 Novgorod.” eleven Sadko- a poor psaltery player who became rich thanks to skillful playing of the gusli and the patronage of the Sea King. As a hero he expresses himself infinite power and endless prowess. Sadko loves his land, his city, his family. Therefore, he refuses the countless riches offered to him and returns home.

So, epics are poetic, works of art. They contain a lot of unexpected, surprising, incredible things. However, they are fundamentally truthful, conveying the people's understanding of history, the people's idea of ​​duty, honor, and justice. At the same time, they are skillfully constructed, their language is unique.

The Russian literary tradition originates from epics and tales that have evolved among the people over centuries and are passed on from mouth to mouth. These works sang folk heroes, heroes and defenders of the Russian land. In addition, there were other representatives of the stronger sex, whom the common people were guided by. Vasily Buslaev was such a character.

History of creation

The protagonist of the epics composed by the Novgorodians, Vasily Buslaev, is a native resident of Novgorod, like Khoten Bludovich. The epic, which tells about their adventures, also conveys the typical everyday life of a large Russian city. Vasily Buslaev, the son of Buslay and Amalfa Timofeevna, was a character in more than 70 epic tales. Among them are “Vasily Buslaev’s dispute with the Novgorodians” and “Vasily Buslaevich went to pray.” Texts compiled by residents of the Russian North were passed from settlement to settlement and spread throughout the Perm, Vologda and Moscow regions, going to the Don.

Illustration for the tale "Vasily Buslaev"

Already in the 16th century, references to Vasily Buslaev were found in archaeological artifacts and folklore monuments. And in the 18th century, epics about Vasily Buslaev were published in the collection of V.A. Levshin "Russian Fairy Tales".

The chronicle says that the hero performed deeds in 1171, although there is no concrete evidence of this. But the songs composed in Ancient Novgorod of the 12th century described the hero.

Elements of the Russian epic were also reflected in the Icelandic sagas, where Bosi, the son of Busla, is mentioned. It is easy to draw a parallel between the name of this hero and Buslaev.

Historical evidence confirms that epic tales about Vasily Buslaev were formed during the period of development of the Ilmen lands by the Slavs. At this time, the state was experiencing a moment of self-determination in the fields of economics, politics and culture. There were discord between settlements and ethnic strife, followed by confrontations between princes and boyars. Poor guslar Sadko quickly became a rich Novgorod merchant. And Vasily Buslaev, who did not believe in anything and assured: “My God does not call me a slave,” died in Palestine.

Vasily Buslaev in epics

In 1136, Novgorod gained freedom from the princely henchmen, and the position of the rulers became strong. A strong squad was no longer needed, but heroes like Vasily Buslaev remained with a club in their hands. The pagan god bequeathed the use of the weapon in memory of himself and, fulfilling the order of the former deity, Buslaev gathered a squad using a club.

A special place in the epic is occupied by a plot describing the battle with the Novgorodians. With the help of a scarlet elm, Vasily defeats his rivals, but, having opposed the townspeople, he becomes an enemy of the city and the church. In the heat of excitement, the hero breaks the bell, symbolizing peace, thereby incurring the wrath of the Mother of God. She comes to Buslaev’s mother and asks her to calm her son down. Peace in the city is restored thanks to divine instructions.

The plot describing the skirmish with the Novgorodians was modified and constantly transferred in time space. In the finale, it was timed to coincide with the events of 1570. Vasily allegedly boasted at a feast in the tower that he was able to defeat the royal army. Contrary to historical realities, the hero keeps his word and becomes the ruler of Novgorod.

Facts and events of the life of the city are combined in the epic, regardless of the time of their implementation in reality. What is happening describes the events from the founding of the city to the 16th century, including the journey of Vasily Buslaev to Jerusalem. There are different interpretations of the narrative logic. In one version, Vasily Buslaev appears as a pilgrim of the 13th-15th centuries or a repentant man with a rich past. Alternatively, he is a fighter against religious prejudices and a skeptic. It is possible that there are two plots that have merged over time, giving rise to contradictory interpretations.

The 12th-13th centuries were an era of construction, the construction of architectural monuments of Russian architecture and shrines, so travel to Constantinople and Palestine was mandatory. The epic about Vasily depicts a campaign to the East. Military motives are seen in the need for maternal blessing and the collection of weapons. Pilgrimage journeys could do without these details. In the holy land, Vasily breaks into a stone and dies. In various interpretations, the death of a warrior is associated with the fight against infidels or with retribution for sins.

Illustration for the work "Mefodiy Buslaev"

Today the writer continues the tradition of epic authors, chanting, the prototype of which was probably the character of the Russian epic.

Film adaptations

The 1982 film describes Vasily Buslaev as an adherent of paganism. The film had a fairy tale genre. Director Gennady Vasiliev told the audience about how the hero gathered a gang and, in the company of Ksenia, the daughter of Prince Gleb, went to Byzantium. In the course of various collisions, the residents of Novgorod find themselves captives, driven to Constantinople, the squad of Vasily and Ksenia is taken prisoner. The hero defends the honor of his native lands, repels enemies and returns Novgorodians to Russian soil. At the feast, he challenges those who disagree. The merchants attack the hero, but the news that an enemy is approaching Rus' reconciles the rivals.

The main roles in the film were played by and others.

Quotes

The heroic power and glory of Vasily Buslaev inevitably follow the image in literary works and in film adaptations. The hero is described as a strongly built man who is not afraid of the vicissitudes of battles, but it is important to defend the truth. The only thing that distinguishes him from his fellow defenders of his homeland is his doubts about faith and God.

For a hero there are no insurmountable obstacles.

“The case is strong for Buslai! Follow Buslay, brothers, boldly! Wow! A street will wave in one direction, and a side street will wave in the other!” say the storytellers.

But the hero does not believe that his strength is granted by the Almighty. After the replacement of the divine pantheon of the pagans, the new god did not inspire confidence in everyone, and the skeptic Buslaev was among those of little faith.

For Vasily Buslaev, faith in the Lord is comparable to slavery. Not accustomed to obeying anyone’s will, in a conversation between a Christian and a Russian, he declares:

“If you call a slave a slave, he will either laugh or cry. If you call a free Russian a slave, he... will fight.”

For the hero, submission to the divine is comparable to the betrayal of his own heroic dignity. An important and decisive factor in his life is strength and courage. Therefore, the hero boldly gets involved in conflicts and strife and is not afraid of long campaigns, no matter what prospects they promise.

“In words, you are all on the harp, but when it comes to action, then go to the stove, save your strength!” says Vasily Buslaev, always ready to defend his native lands and defend Novgorod even in the fight against its inhabitants.