Platon Gorich. Biographical analysis

Here he is, on tiptoe and not rich in words. Molchalin doesn’t know what honor, honesty, sincerity means, and he acts meanly just like that, just in case.

In his comedy “Woe from Wit,” Griboedov showed the clash between the eternally warring old and new generations, the ideologies of the past century and the present century. People who make up a kind of Moscow metropolitan elite come to Famusov’s ball. They have many faces and do not hide their serfdom views at all; they are full of ignorance, vulgarity, greed and veneration. The description of all Famusov's guests speaks for itself. Chatsky will devote a lot of his popular sayings to them.

Characteristics of Famusov's guests at the ball

Colonel Skalozub, a huge ignorant and careerist, appears in Famusov’s house even before the guests arrive, whose dream is to force the entire Russian society to live according to barracks regulations. He is a staunch supporter of the old order, rich and aims to become a general. He became the most welcome guest in Famusov's house. The reason for Skalozub’s arrival was the search for a rich bride. Therefore, Famusov immediately noticed him and considered him a very promising groom for his daughter Sophia.

Gorichi

Then Famusov’s guests began to arrive one after another for the ball. The Gorich couple arrives first. This is an unremarkably typical characterization. In general, the characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball are quite interesting: Griboedov subtly emphasized in them the types of people from that time. So, in continuation, Chatsky is well acquainted with Platon Mikhailovich Gorich, they served together and were even friends. He was a very cheerful, energetic and cheerful person, but after marrying a woman with character - Natalya Dmitrievna - he changed, became henpecked and a servant boy. Now she doesn’t even let him open his mouth. But Gorich had already gotten used to it and had even come to terms with his situation. Platon Mikhailovich complains to Chatsky that he is no longer the same as he once was.

Tugoukhovskie

Following the Gorich family, the princely family of the Tugoukhovskys comes to Famusov’s ball. The mother of the family is very concerned about finding a groom for her daughters. She immediately noticed young Chatsky and wanted to invite him to visit her, but upon learning that he was not rich and did not have a high rank, she immediately changed her mind. In her opinion, it’s better to be poor, but to have at least two thousand serf souls.

Khryumins

And then two Khryumina ladies showed up at the ball. This is Khryumin’s granddaughter, always dissatisfied with everything and angry with the whole world because she cannot find a groom, and her half-deaf grandmother. Before she had time to arrive at the ball, Khryumina’s granddaughter immediately regretted that she had appeared very early and that she had no one to talk to and no one to dance with. And there was absolutely no chance to meet anyone who could be married. She expresses admiration for everything foreign and reveals her passion for “fashionable shops.” Her arrogance offends Chatsky, and he hurls caustic remarks at her.

Zagoretsky and Khlestova

At Famusov’s ball, Zagoretsky also turns out to be a rogue, a liar, a gambler, a rogue and a swindler. However, despite all his destructive characteristics, he is still accepted in high society, and Famusov’s doors also turned out to be open for him. His low, but very helpful nature literally wins and seduces everyone. He always appears at the most appropriate moment and at the most appropriate time to serve some honorable nobleman.

The despotic, rude lady Khlestova, 60 years old, also came to the ball. She always sticks to her opinion and knows her worth. She does not stand on ceremony with serfs. And Khlestova took a dog and a blackamoor girl to the ball. For this person there is no difference between a serf and a dog, everything is for her entertainment.

The rest of Famusov's guests

The very last guest of the ball was Repetilov. He represents a very unreliable person, discrediting and vulgarizing the ideas of the time. Repetilov constantly talks about some kind of “secret alliances” and “secret meetings”, where they drink a lot of champagne and talk about forbidden topics. He uses the favor of people from high society towards him for his own selfish purposes.

The characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball are not exhausted; there were many other characters from secular society, but Griboyedov marked them with the letters N and D. They became the spreaders of the rumor about Chatsky’s madness, although they themselves did not believe it, but listened with pleasure, what others say. The image of these petty gossips shows interests in the pursuit of wealth, honor and gossip.

Chatsky is one of the few who differed from Famusov’s guests. Typical Decembrist traits could be traced in his nature. He is passionate, freedom-loving and openly expresses his opinions. He does not like worship of foreigners, he opposes serfdom and despises sycophancy rather than service to the cause.

Chatsky

The characterization of Famusov's guests at the ball is literally classic. Chatsky spent only a day in the circle of this crowd and immediately realized its true values, after which there was absolutely no hope left of meeting like-minded people. Chatsky could not look at all this indifferently, and in the end, after several unpleasant remarks, he demands a carriage and leaves Moscow.

The ball in Famusov’s house is a very important component of the work “Woe from Wit”. Chatsky did not come to Moscow for three years and did not give any news about himself. And suddenly, very unexpectedly for everyone, he appears in Famusov’s house. And what he sees does not suit him at all, and maybe even shocks him.

The characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball show that such a society was gradually becoming obsolete, its views were already very outdated, and advanced ideas were just beginning to break through the thickness of hypocrisy, profit and deceit. Griboedov wrote the play “Woe from Wit” in revenge, because in society he also felt like a “crazy” Chatsky, unwilling to put up with the existing state of affairs.

Gorichi

Young lady Natalya Dmitrievna and her husband Platon Mikhailovich. Both are old acquaintances of Chatsky, which becomes known in scene 5 of the third act. Griboyedov portrays Gorichey, smiling ironically.

Chatsky
You are younger, fresher;
Fire, blush, laughter, play in all its features.
Natalya Dmitrievna
I'm married.
Chatsky
You should have said it a long time ago!

Tugoukhovskie

The Tugoukhovskys are among the first to arrive at Famusov’s ball. They are married, and came here mainly to find rich grooms for their daughters. Chatsky also comes into their sight, but since he is not rich, they quickly lose interest in Chatsky. Prince Tugoukhovsky, following the logic of his surname, is deaf. Almost all of his lines are interjections. He is henpecked and does not disobey his wife in anything. The princess is distinguished by her evil disposition and causticity.

Khryumins

Countesses Khryumina: grandmother and granddaughter. The granddaughter is an evil old maid. Chatsky responds to her caustic remarks no less harshly. He compares her to French milliners.

Zagoretsky

Repetilov and Zagoretsky occupy a special place in the comedy. Critics classify them as secondary characters, but they are not his ardent defenders, they obviously do nothing bad to Chatsky, but it is their “tacit consent” that resolves important issues in the lives of other people. Zagoretsky is introduced by the author as a regular in living rooms and dining rooms, “a liar, a gambler and a thief.”

The Tugoukhovskys, Khryumins, Zagoretskys are a satire on Moscow society of those times.

Repetilov

Repetilov appears in the comedy in the fourth act as a guest at Famusov's ball. Griboedov in “Woe from Wit” gives meaningful surnames to many characters, so translated from French the surname Repetilov means “to repeat.” Thus, the author emphasizes that Repetilov is only able to repeat in words the lofty ideas of the Decembrists, without delving into their true meaning. He becomes the central figure of the fourth act. Guests departing from the ball, starting with Chatsky, stop near him, and from the conversations of the guests with Repetilov, gossip about madness reaches him.

The comedy “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboedov is a kind of “encyclopedia of Russian life” of the first half of the 19th century. Having significantly expanded the scope of the narrative due to many minor and off-stage characters, Griboedov depicts in it the magnificent human types of contemporary Moscow.

As O. Miller notes, almost all minor characters in comedy come down to three types: “Famusovs, candidates for Famusovs and Famusovs-losers.”

The first of them to appear in the play is Colonel Skalozub, a “fan” of Sophia. This is “Famusov in an army uniform,” but at the same time, Sergei Sergeich is “much more limited than Famusov.”

Skalozub has a characteristic appearance (“three fathoms daredevil”), gestures, manners, speech, in which there are many military terms (“division”, “brigadier general”, “sergeant major”, “distance”, “line”).

The character traits of the hero are just as typical. Griboyedov emphasizes rudeness, ignorance, mental and spiritual limitations in Skalozub. Rejecting his “potential suitor,” Sophia notes that he “hasn’t uttered a smart word in his life.” Being not very educated, Skalozub opposes science and education, against the “new rules.” “You can’t faint with your learning...” he confidently declares to Repetilov.

In addition, the author emphasizes another feature in Skalozub - careerism, “a crudely expressed passion for crosses” (N.K. Piksanov). Sergei Sergeich, with barely conscious cynicism, tells Famusov about the reasons for his promotion:

I am quite happy in my comrades,

The vacancies are just open;

Then the elders will turn off others,

The others, you see, have been killed.

In Famusov’s house, Skalozub is a welcome guest: Pavel Afanasyevich considers him a suitable groom for Sophia. However, Sophia, like Chatsky, is far from delighted with the “merits” of Sergei Sergeich. Old woman Khlestova also supports her niece in her own way:

Wow! I definitely got rid of the noose;

After all, your father is crazy:

He was given three fathoms of daring, -

He introduces us without asking, is it pleasant for us, isn’t it?

Finally, Lisa very aptly characterizes Skalozub: “And the golden bag, and aims to become a general.”

The image of Skalozub has comic elements. The very name of the hero hints at this. Lisa talks about Skalozub’s jokes in the comedy.

And Skalozub, as he twirls his crest,

He will tell the story of fainting, add a hundred embellishments;

He’s also good at making jokes, because nowadays who doesn’t joke!

Sergei Sergeich’s speech is often comical. So, about Moscow he notes: “Distances of enormous size,” about his relationship with Nastasya Nikolaevna - “We didn’t serve together,” about Molchalin’s fall from a horse - “Look at how he cracked - chest or sideways?”

N.K. Piksanov considered the image of Skalozub insufficiently developed and unfinished. It is not clear to the reader whether Skalozub is going to marry Sophia, and whether he guessed about her affair with Molchalin after seeing Sophia’s reaction to Molchalin’s fall from his horse. However, despite some incompleteness, the image of Skalozub very organically entered the circle of characters created by Griboedov.

Almost all the characters in the comedy are depicted just as vividly and vividly.

Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky are among the first to come to Famusov. They hope to find rich suitors for their daughters at the ball. Chatsky suddenly comes into their sight, but, having learned that he is not rich, they leave him alone.

The Tugoukhovsky couple are depicted satirically by Griboedov. Prince Tugoukhovsky (as indicated by the surname itself) hears almost nothing. His speech consists of separate exclamations: “Oh-hmm!”, “I-hmm!” He unquestioningly follows all his wife’s instructions. This hero embodies the aged Famusov. Princess Tugoukhovskaya is distinguished by a rather evil disposition and causticity. So, she sees the reason for the arrogant behavior of the countess-granddaughter in her “unfortunate fate”: “She’s evil, she’s been around girls for a whole century, God will forgive her.” Like all of Famusov’s guests, Princess Tugoukhovskaya does not see the benefit of education and believes that science poses a threat to society: “in St. Petersburg, the pedagogical institute, I think, is called that: there professors practice schism and unbelief!” The Tugoukhovskys quickly pick up the gossip about Chatsky’s madness and even try to convince Repetilov of this.

Among the guests are Famusova and Countess Khryumina with her granddaughter, who are also happy to believe in Chatsky’s madness. The countess-granddaughter tells the news to Zagoretsky. The Grandmother Countess, suffering from deafness, interprets everything she hears in her own way. She declares Alexander Andreevich a “damned Voltairian” and a “pusurman.”

Famusov’s guests are also joined by his sister-in-law, old woman Khlestova. S. A. Fomichev calls this heroine Famusov for the female half of society. Khlestova is a self-confident lady, intelligent, experienced, and insightful in her own way. Just look at the description given to her by Zagoretsky:

He's a liar, a gambler, a thief...

I left him and locked the doors;

Yes, the master will serve: me and sister Praskovya

I got two little blacks at the fair;

He bought tea, he says, and cheated at cards;

And a gift for me, God bless him!

She is also skeptical towards Skalozub and Repetilov. With all this, Khlestova shares the opinion of Famusov’s guests about science and education:

And you will really go crazy from these, from some

From boarding schools, schools, lyceums, you name it,

Yes from lancard mutual training.

Khlestova here has in mind the Lancastrian system of education, however, for her age and lifestyle, this confusion of concepts is quite forgivable and very realistic. In addition, it is worth noting that this statement does not contain the belligerence that is characteristic of Famusov and Skalozub’s speeches about enlightenment. Rather, here she is simply keeping the conversation going.

In Khlestova’s mind, the human dignity of those around her is inextricably fused with their social status, wealth and rank. So, she notes about Chatsky: “He was a sharp man, he had three hundred souls.” Her intonations in conversations with Molchalin are condescending and patronizing. However, Khlestova perfectly understands the “place” of Alexei Stepanych and does not stand on ceremony with him: “Molchalin, there’s your closet,” she declares, saying goodbye.

Like many of Famusov’s guests, Khlestova loves to gossip: “I don’t know other people’s estates!” She instantly picks up the rumor about Chatsky’s madness and even puts forward her version of events: “Tea, he drank beyond his years.”

The image of Repetilov in the comedy is caricatured. This is exactly the type of “Famusov the loser”. This is an absurd, careless, stupid and superficial person, a visitor to the English Club, a lover of drinking and carousing, philosophizing in noisy companies. This character sets the theme of “ideological fashion” in the comedy, as if parodying Chatsky’s social line.

As O. Miller and A. Grigoriev note, “Repetilov... failed to achieve any real professional benefit from marrying the daughter of the influential von Klock, and so he fell into liberal rhetoric....”

Repetilov tries to captivate Chatsky with “free-thinking” and describes to him “secret meetings” in the English Club, where they talk “about Beiron”, “about important mothers”. Repetilov tells Chatsky about “smart youth,” including the “true genius” Ippolit Udushev. This description sounds like frank satire:

Night robber, duelist,
He was exiled to Kamchatka, returned as an Aleut,
And the hand is unclean;
Yes, an intelligent person cannot help but be a rogue.
When he talks about high honesty,
Some kind of demon inspires:
My eyes are bloody, my face is burning,
He cries himself, and we all cry.

This is what Pushkin wrote about this image: “...What is Repetilov? it has 2, 3, 10 characters. Why make him ugly? It’s enough that he is flighty and stupid with such simplicity; It’s enough that he admits every minute to his stupidity, and not to his abominations. This humility is extremely new in the theater; has any of us ever felt embarrassed while listening to penitents like him?”

Repetilov in the comedy is a kind of parody of Chatsky; he is a double character who comically reduces the ideas of the main character. Repetilov’s literary “brothers” are Grushnitsky from Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time,” Sitnikov from Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” Lebezyatnikov from Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment.”

Among Famusov’s guests is the “slick socialite” Anton Antonich Zagoretsky. This is also the “Famusov-loser” type. Having failed to obtain ranks and titles, he remains a petty swindler and ladies' man. Gorich gives him an exhaustive description:

A notorious swindler, rogue:

Anton Antonich Zagoretsky.

With it, beware: endure too much,

And don’t play cards, he’ll sell you.

Old woman Khlestova also joins Platon Mikhailovich: “He’s a liar, a gambler, a thief,” she says to Sophia. However, all of Zagoretsky’s “riot” is limited to the everyday sphere. In the “ideological” sense, he is completely “law-abiding”:

What if, between us,
I was appointed censor
I would lean on fables; Oh! fables are my death!
Eternal mockery of lions! over the eagles!
Whatever you say:
Although they are animals, they are still kings.

As O. Miller and A. Grigoriev note, Zagoretsky is a candidate for Famusov, but his circumstances turned out differently, and he took on a different role - a universal servant, a pleaser. This is a kind of Molchalin, necessary for everyone.

Zagoretsky is a notorious talker and liar. Moreover, his lies in comedy are practically groundless. He, too, is happy to support the gossip about Chatsky, without even remembering who he is talking about: “His uncle, the rogue, put him in the madhouses... They grabbed him, put him in the yellow house, and put him on a chain.” However, he puts forward a different version to Countess Khryumina: “In the mountains he was wounded in the forehead, he went crazy from the wound.”

Visiting Famusov and the Gorich couple. Gorich is an old friend of Chatsky from his military service. Perhaps this is the only comedy character written by Griboyedov with a touch of sympathy. It seems that we cannot classify this hero as one of the types described earlier (Famusovs, candidates for Famusovs, Famusovs-losers). Gorich is a kind and decent person who has no illusions about the morals of secular society (remember the characterization that Gorich gives to Zagoretsky). This is the only hero who seriously doubts after hearing gossip about Chatsky’s madness. However, Platon Mikhailovich is too soft. He lacks Chatsky’s confidence and conviction, his temperament, and courage. Having obeyed his wife in everything, he became “weak in health,” “calm and lazy,” and out of boredom he amuses himself by playing the flute. “A boy-husband, a servant-husband, one of the wife’s pages”—it is this type that is represented in the image of Gorich.

Gorich's behavior illustrates in the comedy the theme of men's submission to their domineering wives. Prince Tugoukhovsky is also submissive and silent “before his wife, this efficient mother.” Molchalin is also timid, quiet and modest during his dates with Sophia.

So, Skalozub, Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Countess Khryumina. old woman Khlestova, Repetilov and Zagoretsky, Gorichi... - “all these are types created by the hand of a true artist; and their speeches, words, address, manners, the way of thinking that breaks out from under them is a brilliant painting...” All these images are bright, memorable, original. Griboyedov's heroes embody the leisurely “past century”, with its life traditions and moral rules. These people are afraid of new trends, they are not too fond of science and enlightenment, courage of thoughts and judgments. Thanks to these characters, as well as off-stage heroes, Griboyedov creates a wide panorama of Russian life. “The group of twenty faces reflected, like a ray of light in a drop of water, the whole of the former Moscow, its design, its spirit at that time, its historical moment and morals.”

Bright representatives of the ladies among the characters in the comedy are Khlestova and Natalya Dmitrievna Gorich, and among the off-stage ones - Tatyana Yuryevna. They convincingly confirm the truth of Famusov’s words. Khlestova is an important, influential, intelligent Moscow lady. She speaks briefly and categorically. Her speech is harsh and unceremonious, her remarks are biting: “He’s a liar, a gambler, a thief,” she aptly characterizes, for example, Zagoretsky; “Your father is crazy,” she says to Sophia. Khlestava speaks her native language brilliantly. Her language is colorful and bright, there are no foreign words and expressions in it, but there are many Russianisms and folk words and expressions: the clock is ticking, there is no strength, it’s incurable - at any rate; Maybe, tea, you see, really. in Khlestova’s speeches one can hear the voice of the imperious serfdom lady, a prominent person in Famus society.

Image of Khlestova, a respected and influential old woman, is complemented by the off-stage image of the “famous” Tatyana Yuryevna, whose “officials and officials are all her friends and all her relatives,” and therefore she has great influence in the official world. A silent man, building a career, obsequiously looks after such influential ladies as Khlestova and speaks of Tatyana Yuryevna as a representative of the highest power.

Natalya Dmitrievna Gorich- a young woman who recently got married. Her power does not yet extend to the official world, but in her family she completely subjugated her husband, making him “a boy-husband, a servant-husband, a wife’s page,” depriving him of all activity and independence with false concern for his health.

Her language serves as an excellent example of the speech of those Moscow daughters that Famusov spoke about. Her speech is sweet and cutesy, full of various appeals and epithets:
My angel, my life,
Priceless darling...