Russian literature of the 17th century in brief. Russian literature of the 17th century: transformation of the medieval system of genres and the emergence of new literary forms

Today it worries all those who are interested in the history and culture of our country. We will try to give a comprehensive answer to it.

Monuments of bookishness are usually called Old Russian literature Kievan Rus that appeared at the stage of state creation Eastern Slavs, called Kievan Rus. Old Russian period in the history of Russian literature, according to some literary scholars, ends in 1237 (during the ruinous Tatar invasion), according to other literary scholars, it continues for about 400 years and gradually ends during the era of the revival of the Moscow state after the Time of Troubles.

However, the first version is more preferable, which partly explains to us when and why Old Russian literature arose.

Anyway this fact suggests that our ancestors have reached such a stage social development when they stopped being satisfied folklore works and new genres were required - hagiographic literature, teachings, collections and “words”.

When did ancient Russian literature arise: history and main factors of its emergence

The exact date of writing the first ancient Russian work not in history, but the beginning of bookishness in Rus' is traditionally associated with two events. The first is the appearance in our country of Orthodox monks - Methodius and Cyril, who created the Glagolitic alphabet, and later put their efforts into creating the Cyrillic alphabet. This made it possible to translate liturgical and Christian texts Byzantine Empire into Old Church Slavonic.

Second key event was the actual Christianization of Rus', which allowed our state to communicate closely with the Greeks - the bearers of the then wisdom and knowledge.

It should be noted that it is impossible to answer the question of what year ancient Russian literature arose also because great amount monuments of ancient Russian literature were lost as a result of the devastating Horde yoke, most of them burned in numerous fires that were brought to our country by bloodthirsty nomads.

The most famous monuments of bookishness of Ancient Rus'

When answering the question about when ancient Russian literature arose, we must not forget that the works of this period are quite high level literary excellence. One famous “Tale” about Prince Igor’s campaign against the Polovtsians is worth a lot.

Despite the devastating historical circumstances, the following monuments have survived to this day.

Let us briefly list the key ones:

1. Ostromir Gospel.
2. Numerous teaching collections.
3. Collections of lives (for example, collections of the lives of the first Russian saints from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra).
4. "The Sermon on Law and Grace" by Hilarion.
5. Life of Boris and Gleb.
6. Reading about princes Boris and Gleb.
7. "The Tale of Bygone Years".
8. "Teachings of Prince Vladimir, nicknamed Monomakh."
9. "The Tale of Igor's Campaign."
10. "The Tale of the Death of the Russian Land."

Chronology of Old Russian literature

An expert in the ancient Russian written tradition, Academician D.S. Likhachev and his colleagues assumed that the answer to the question of when ancient Russian literature arose should be sought in the first monuments of Russian literature.

According to these chronicle sources, in our country in the 10th century, translated works first appeared with Greek language. At the same time, folklore texts of legends about the exploits of Svyatoslav Igorevich, as well as epics about Prince Vladimir, were created at the same time.

In the 11th century, thanks to the activities of Metropolitan Hilarion, the literary works. For example, this is the already mentioned “Sermon on Law and Grace,” a description of the adoption of Christianity by the Russian people, and others. In the same century, the texts of the first selections were created, as well as the first texts of the lives of those who died as a result of the princely strife and were later canonized.

In the 12th century, original works of authorship were written that told about the life of Theodosius, abbot of Pechersk, and the lives of other saints of the Russian land. At the same time, the text of the so-called Galician Gospel was created, and parables and “words” were written by a talented Russian orator. The creation of the text “The Lay of Igor’s Campaign” dates back to the same century. At the same time, a large number of translated works were published that came from Byzantium and carried the foundations of both Christian and Hellenic wisdom.

Consequently, it is possible to answer the question with all objectivity about in what century Old Russian literature arose in this way: it happened in the 10th century along with the appearance Slavic writing and the creation of Kievan Rus as a single state.

With the advent of writing and the spread of literacy, ancient Russian literature developed.

Chronicles are monuments of historical writing and literature of Ancient Rus'. The narration in them was carried out by year: chroniclers sequentially recorded the events that occurred in a particular year. The appearance of the first historical works dates back to the time of Yaroslav the Wise. Chronicles were created in Kyiv and Novgorod; on their basis, the monk Nestor in the 11th century compiled the chronicle code that has come down to us "The Tale of Bygone Years"(Initial Chronicle), which contains an account ancient history Slavs, as well as the history of Rus' before 1100.

The NIRO library invites you to familiarize yourself with the book “ Old Russian chronicles", in which you will find the text of the Initial Chronicle, as well as the Kyiv and Galician-Volyn Chronicles.

"The Tale of Bygone Years" was included in Laurentian Chronicle, which received its name from the name of the monk Lawrence, who rewrote it in 1377. The chronicle, together with the “Tale of Bygone Years,” contains a description of the events that occurred in the southern Russian principalities, and then in Vladimir-Suzdal Rus'. Full text“Tales” according to the Laurentian list you will find in the book

Thanks to Lavrenty, we have not only the most ancient list“The Tale of Bygone Years”, but also the only text of “Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh to Children”. “Lesson for Children” by Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh is addressed not only to children - heirs state power, but also to everyone who reads it. You can get acquainted with the text of the “Teaching” and its translation by following the link.

"The Tale of Igor's Campaign"- a literary monument of the 12th century, which is based on historical event- unsuccessful campaign of Novgorod-Northern Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich against the Polovtsians in 1185.

Edition spread

"The Tale of Igor's Campaign"

The only copy of the “Word” has come down to us as part of a collection that was kept in the library of the Spaso-Yaroslavl Monastery. Author's name and exact date The spelling of the “Lay” is unknown. Most researchers believe that it was created at the end of the 12th century.

"Domostroy" is one of the most famous ancient Russian monuments literature. It reflects the ideals of spiritual, social and family life, pictures are clearly shown medieval life, rituals associated with centuries-old Russian traditions are described.

In the XI-XII centuries there was a rise cultural development Kievan Rus. Cultural centers there were large cities, many of which acquired the importance of European centers: Novgorod, Kyiv, Galich.
Excavations carried out by archaeologists allow us to talk about high culture townspeople, many of whom were literate. This is evidenced by preserved promissory notes, petitions, orders on economic affairs, notices of arrival, letters written on birch bark, as well as those preserved in different cities inscriptions on things, church walls. Schools were organized in cities to teach literacy. The first schools for boys appeared in the 10th century, and in the 11th century a school for girls was opened in Kyiv.
It is known for certain that even before the adoption of Christianity Ancient Rus' knew writing. The first to reach us handwritten books are true works of art. The books were written on very expensive material - parchment, which was made from lamb, calf or goat skin. They were decorated with amazingly beautiful colored miniatures.
Most of the books that have come down to us from this period of time are of religious content. Thus, out of 130 surviving books, 80 contain the basics of Christian doctrine and morality. However, at this time there was also religious literature for reading. A well-preserved collection of stories about real and legendary animals, trees, stones - "Physiologist". This collection consists of several stories, at the end of each there is a small interpretation of what is described in the spirit of Christianity. So, for example, the woodpecker’s natural property of chiselling trees was correlated with the devil, who persistently looks for a person’s weak points.
Such outstanding monuments of church literature as the “Sermon on Law and Grace” by Metropolitan Hilarion and the sermons of Cyril of Turov date back to the same period of time. There were also religious books that unconventionally interpreted well-known biblical stories. Such books were called apocrypha. The name comes from the Greek word for hidden. The most popular was the apocryphal "Walk of the Virgin Mary through Torment."
IN large quantities Lives of saints were created, which described in detail the life, activities, and exploits of people canonized by the church. The plot of the life could be exciting, such as, for example, “The Life of Alexei, the Man of God.”
Also known literary monuments Vladimir-Suzdal land. Among them is "The Word" ("Prayer") by Daniil Zatochnik.
In the 11th century, the first works of a historical (documentary) nature appeared. The oldest chronicle that has survived to this day, the Tale of Bygone Years, dates back to this period of time. This document allows us to judge not only the political situation of that time, but also the life and customs of the ancient Russians.
IN major cities Detailed chronicles were kept in which the events that took place were recorded. The chronicles contained copies of original documents from the princely archives, detailed descriptions battles, reports on diplomatic negotiations. However, one cannot talk about the objectivity of these chronicles, since their compilers were primarily children of their time, who tried to justify the actions of their prince and denigrate his opponents.
Outstanding monument ancient Russian literature, - “Teaching” by Vladimir Monomakh. It was intended for the prince’s children and contained instructions on how young princes, children of warriors, should behave. He ordered both his own and strangers not to offend the inhabitants of the villages, to always help those who ask, to feed guests, not to pass by a person without greeting, to take care of the sick and infirm.
And finally, the most significant monument of ancient Russian literature is “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” The work is based on the campaign undertaken by Prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsians. Unfortunately, the only surviving manuscript of the Lay was burned during a fire in Moscow in 1812.

In the 11th-12th centuries, the cultural development of Kievan Rus took off. Large cities were cultural centers, many of which acquired the significance of European centers: Novgorod, Kyiv, Galich.

Excavations carried out by archaeologists suggest a high culture of the townspeople, many of whom were literate. This is evidenced by preserved debt receipts, petitions, orders on economic affairs, notices of arrival, letters written on birch bark, as well as inscriptions on things and church walls preserved in different cities. Schools were organized in cities to teach literacy. The first schools for boys appeared in the 10th century, and in the 11th century a school for girls was opened in Kyiv.

It is known for certain that even before the adoption of Christianity, Ancient Rus' knew writing. The first handwritten books that have reached us are true works of art. The books were written on very expensive material - parchment, which was made from lamb, calf or goat skin. They were decorated with amazingly beautiful colored miniatures.

Most of the books that have come down to us from this period of time are of religious content. Thus, out of 130 surviving books, 80 contain the basics of Christian doctrine and morality. However, at this time there was also religious literature for reading. A well-preserved collection of stories about real and legendary animals, trees, stones - "Physiologist". This collection consists of several stories, at the end of each there is a small interpretation of what is described in the spirit of Christianity. So, for example, the woodpecker’s natural property of chiselling trees was correlated with the devil, who persistently looks for a person’s weak points.

Such outstanding monuments of church literature as the “Sermon on Law and Grace” by Metropolitan Hilarion and the sermons of Cyril of Turov date back to the same period of time. There were also religious books that interpreted well-known biblical stories in an unconventional way. Such books were called apocrypha. The name comes from the Greek word for hidden. The most popular was the apocryphal "Walk of the Virgin Mary through Torment."

Lives of saints were created in large numbers, which described in detail the life, activities, and exploits of people canonized by the church. The plot of the life could be exciting, such as, for example, “The Life of Alexei, the Man of God.”

Literary monuments of the Vladimir-Suzdal land are also known. Among them is "The Word" ("Prayer") by Daniil Zatochnik.

In the 11th century, the first works of a historical (documentary) nature appeared. The oldest chronicle that has survived to this day, the Tale of Bygone Years, dates back to this period of time. This document allows us to judge not only the political situation of that time, but also the life and customs of the ancient Russians.

In large cities, detailed chronicles were kept, which recorded the events that took place. The chronicles contained copies of original documents from the princely archive, detailed descriptions of battles, and reports on diplomatic negotiations. However, one cannot talk about the objectivity of these chronicles, since their compilers were primarily children of their time, who tried to justify the actions of their prince and denigrate his opponents.

An outstanding monument of ancient Russian literature is “The Instruction” of Vladimir Monomakh. It was intended for the prince’s children and contained instructions on how young princes, children of warriors, should behave. He ordered both his own and strangers not to offend the inhabitants of the villages, to always help those who ask, to feed guests, not to pass by a person without greeting, to take care of the sick and infirm.

And finally, the most significant monument of ancient Russian literature is “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” The work is based on the campaign undertaken by Prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsians. Unfortunately, the only surviving manuscript of the Lay was burned during a fire in Moscow in 1812.