DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF HEROISM (BASED ON COMPARATIVE MATERIAL OF RUSSIAN AND WEST-EUROPEAN EPIC)

Igor' S. Kokarev

Igor' S. Kokarev — Postgraduate Student, Ivanovo State University, Shuya branch, Kooperativnaia St., 24, 155908 Shuya, Russia. E-mail: igor-kokarev777@yandex.com

Theory and history of culture

2017

Vol. 44

Pp. 50–56

November 24, 2016

June 15, 2017

008:82-131

82(2Рос=Рус)+83.3(4)

The purpose of the article is to define distinctive features of the Russian folk epic, based on comparing of bogatyr Ilya Muromets with the heroes of the West-European epic tradition — Beowulf and Siegfried (Germany), Roland (France) and Сid (Spain). The aspects explored are the origins of the Heroes, their motives, which encouraged each of them to performing feats, their attitude to wealth, revenge and relationships with the Ruler. Author concludes that: Russian epic heroes, “bogatyrs,” embody the potential and the strength of the common people, while their aspirations and activities are set to protect Rus`. Contrary to the heroes of the western epic tradition bogatyrs put the spiritual pursuits and ahead of the material benefits and revenge. Distinguishing between the devotion to the cause of the country and the service to its ruler they place public welfare before their own interests.
As a whole comparative analysis of epics of different peoples allows for revealing characteristic traits of the national mentality, which, as a rule, are most clearly expressed by protagonists of the epics.

Beowulf, bogatyr’, epics, west-European epos, Siegfried, Ilya Muromets, national peculiarities, Roland, Russian culture, Сid.

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