Bad fairy tale characters. Characters from fairy tales, films and cartoons, invented and existing only in Russia
A folk tale is a message from our ancestors, passed down from time immemorial. Through magical stories, sacred information about morality and spirituality, traditions and culture is conveyed to us. The heroes of Russian folk tales are very colorful. They live in a world full of wonders and dangers. In him there's a battle going on light and dark forces, as a result of which goodness and justice always win.
Ivan the Fool
The main character of Russian fairy tales is a seeker. He goes to hard way to get a magic item or a bride, to deal with the monster. In this case, the character may initially occupy a low social position. Typically this is peasant son, most youngest child in family.
By the way, the word "fool" in ancient times did not have negative meaning. Since the 14th century, it has served as a talismanic name, often given to the youngest son. He did not receive any inheritance from his parents. Older brothers in fairy tales are successful and practical. Ivan spends time on the stove, since he is not interested in living conditions. He does not seek money or fame, and patiently endures the ridicule of others.
However, it is Ivan the Fool who is ultimately lucky. He is unpredictable, capable of solving non-standard riddles, and defeats the enemy with cunning. The hero is characterized by mercy and kindness. He helps out those in trouble, releases the pike, for which he is awarded magical help. Having overcome all obstacles, Ivan the Fool marries the king's daughter, becomes rich. Behind unsightly clothes hides the image of a sage serving good and wary of falsehood.
Bogatyr
This hero was borrowed from epics. He is handsome, brave, noble. It often grows “by leaps and bounds.” Possesses enormous power, is able to saddle a heroic horse. There are many stories where a character fights a monster, dies, and then is resurrected.
The names of the heroes of Russian fairy tales can be different. We meet Ilya Muromets, Bova Korolevich, Alyosha Popovich, Nikita Kozhemyaka and other characters. Ivan Tsarevich can also be classified in this category. He enters into battle with the Serpent Gorynych or Koshchei, saddles Sivka-Burka, protects the weak, and rescues the princess.
It is significant that the hero sometimes makes mistakes (responds rudely to the grandmother he meets, burns the skin of a frog). Subsequently, he has to repent of this, ask for forgiveness, and correct the situation. By the end of the tale, he gains wisdom, finds the princess and receives half the kingdom as a reward for his exploits.
Wonder Bride
By the end of the story, an intelligent and beautiful girl becomes the wife of a fairy-tale hero. In Russian folk tales we meet Vasilisa the Wise, Marya Morevna, and Elena the Beautiful. They embody the popular idea of a woman standing guard over her family.
The heroines are distinguished by their resourcefulness and intelligence. Thanks to their help, the hero solves ingenious riddles and defeats the enemy. Often a beautiful princess is subject to the forces of nature; she is able to turn into an animal (swan, frog) and create real miracles. The heroine uses powerful forces for the benefit of her lover.
There is also an image of a meek stepdaughter in fairy tales, who achieves success thanks to her hard work and kindness. General qualities for all positive female images are fidelity, purity of aspirations and readiness to help.
Which hero of Russian fairy tales is the most beloved and popular among children and adults? The first place rightfully belongs to Baba Yaga. This is a very controversial character with a terrifying appearance, a hooked nose and a bone leg. In ancient times, “Baba” was the name given to the mother, the eldest woman in the family. "Yaga" may be related to the Old Russian words "yagat" ("to shout loudly, swear") or "yagaya" ("sick, angry").
Lives old witch in the forest, on the border of ours and other world. Her hut on chicken legs is surrounded by a fence made of human bones. Grandma flies on a mortar, makes friends with evil spirits, kidnaps children and keeps them from uninvited guests a bunch of magic items. According to scientists, it is associated with the kingdom of the dead. This is indicated by the loose hair that was unbraided for women before burial, the bone leg, and also the house. The Slavs made wooden huts for the dead, which they placed on stumps in the forest.
In Rus' they always respected their ancestors and turned to them for advice. That's why they come to Baba Yaga good fellows, and she tests them. To those who pass the test, the witch gives a hint, points the way to Koshchei, gives a magic ball, as well as a towel, comb and other wonders. Baba Yaga doesn’t eat children either, but she puts them in the oven and spends them ancient rite"overbaking". In Rus' it was believed that in this way a child could be healed of an illness.
Koschey
The name of this fairy-tale hero of Russian fairy tales could come from the Turkic “koschey”, which translates as “slave”. The character was chained and kept prisoner for three hundred years. He himself also likes to kidnap beautiful girls and hide them in prison. According to another version, the name comes from the Slavic “kostit” (to scold, to harm) or “bone”. Koschey is often depicted as a skinny old man, more like a skeleton.
He is a very powerful sorcerer, lives far from other people and owns countless treasures. The death of the hero is in a needle, which is securely hidden in objects and animals nested inside each other like a nesting doll. The prototype of Koshchei may be the winter deity Karachun, who was born from a golden egg. It covered the earth with ice and brought death with it, forcing our ancestors to move to warmer areas. In other myths, Koshchei was the name of the son of Chernobog. The latter could control time and command the army the afterlife.
This is one of the most ancient images. The hero of Russian fairy tales differs from foreign dragons by having several heads. Usually their number is a multiple of three. The creature can fly, breathes fire and abducts people. It lives in caves, where it hides captives and treasures. Often appears in front of a positive hero after emerging from the water. The nickname “Gorynych” is associated either with the character’s habitat (mountain) or with the verb “to burn.”
The image of the terrible Serpent is borrowed from ancient myths about the dragon who guards the entrance to underground kingdom. To become a man, a teenager had to defeat him, i.e. accomplish a feat and then enter world of the dead and come back as an adult. According to another version, Zmey Gorynych - collective image steppe nomads who attacked Rus' in huge hordes. At the same time, they used fire shells that burned wooden cities.
Forces of nature
In ancient times, people personified the Sun, Wind, Moon, Thunder, Rain and other phenomena on which their lives depended. They often became heroes of Russian fairy tales, married princesses, and helped good heroes. There are also anthropomorphic rulers of certain elements: Moroz Ivanovich, goblin, water one. They can play the role of both positive and negative characters.
Nature is depicted as spiritual. The well-being of people largely depends on her actions. Thus, Morozko rewards the meek, hardworking daughter of an old man, whom her stepmother ordered to abandon in the forest, with gold and a fur coat. At the same time, her selfish stepsister dies from his spell. The Slavs worshiped the forces of nature and at the same time were wary of them, tried to appease them with the help of sacrifices, and made requests.
Grateful animals
In fairy tales we meet talking wolf, magic horse and cow, goldfish, a wish-fulfilling pike. And also a bear, hare, hedgehog, raven, eagle, etc. They all understand human speech and have unusual abilities. The hero helps them out of trouble, gives them life, and in return they help defeat the enemy.
Traces of totemism are clearly visible here. The Slavs believed that each genus descended from a specific animal. After death, the soul of a person moves into the beast and vice versa. For example, in the fairy tale "Burenushka" the soul of a deceased mother is reborn in the form of a cow to help her orphaned daughter. Such an animal could not be killed, because it became a relative and protected from harm. Sometimes the heroes of a fairy tale can themselves turn into an animal or a bird.
Firebird
Many are trying to get it goodies fairy tales The wonderful bird dazzles the eyes like golden sun, and lives behind a stone wall in rich lands. Freely floating in the sky, she is a symbol heavenly body which gives good luck, abundance, creative power. This is a representative of another world, who often turns into a kidnapper. The firebird steals rejuvenating apples, bestowing beauty and immortality.
Only those who are pure in soul, believe in the dream and are closely connected with their deceased ancestors can catch it. Usually this younger son, who had to care for his old parents and spent a lot of time near the family hearth.
Thus, the heroes of Russian fairy tales teach us to respect our ancestors, listen to our hearts, overcome fear, pursue our dreams despite mistakes, and always help those asking for help. And then the divine radiance of the magical firebird will fall on a person, transforming him and bestowing happiness.
Son, spoiled prince and even Gray wolf. One of the most popular positive fairy tale images is a hero who has remarkable physical strength, stamina, courage and good nature. Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich are heroes who were not afraid of the three-headed Serpent Gorynych, Nightingale - and combine a brilliant mind, ingenuity and cunning.
Often in Russian fairy tales there are also kind animals - a horse, a wolf or a dog, which symbolize intelligence, cunning, devotion and fidelity.
Another well-known fairy-tale hero is the collective image of a simple Russian guy, Ivan. Ivan Tsarevich is always noble, brave and kind. He shows unprecedented heroism and reigns from evil forces. Ivanushka the Fool is another favorite positive Russian folk - most often it is the son in the family, but the most talented and unique. He knows how to understand animals, and they willingly help Ivanushka fight evil.
The kindest fairy tale hero
Answer yourself the question “which hero is the best?” It is possible only by specifying the purpose of good deeds. So, undoubtedly, Ivanushka can be called the kindest, who bravely goes against the dark forces, without thinking about his own well-being. True Good, first of all, is determined by selflessness, since the hero who commits noble deeds for the sake of profit, he turns into a simple mercenary.
Traditionally, good heroes in fairy tales help the world restore the natural balance of good and evil, preventing the antagonist from realizing his insidious plans.
Therefore the real good deed can only be accomplished when the hero is guided solely by the breadth of his soul. Such characters are Morozko, Grandfather Frost, Vasilisa the Beautiful, Cinderella's fairy godmother and other heroes who do good for the sake of good, without expecting any reward in return.
Thus, the title of the kindest fairy-tale hero can be awarded to each of these characters, since in the fight against evil it is not so much skill that is important as intention, and the intention of each of them is undoubtedly the most noble.
Without exaggeration, Ilya Muromets can be called the most famous of Russian epic heroes. Even that Russian who has never read epics or their prose retellings knows about this Russian hero at least from cartoons.
Researchers of Russian folklore know 53 epic heroic plots, and in 15 of them Ilya Muromets is the main character. All these epics belong to the Kyiv cycle associated with Vladimir the Red Sun - an idealized image of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Deeds of an epic hero
The beginning of the epic “biography” of Ilya Muromets is associated with a very typical epic hero the motive of belated maturity: for 33 years the hero sits on the stove, being unable to move either his arms or legs, but one day, three elders - “walking calicoes” - appear to him. In Soviet-era publications, the clarification of who these people were was “cut out” from the epics, but tradition hints that these are Jesus Christ and the two apostles. The elders ask Ilya to bring them water - and the paralyzed man gets to his feet. Thus, even the hero’s healing turns out to be associated with the readiness to perform a good deed, albeit insignificant.
Having found heroic strength, Ilya sets off to perform heroic deeds. It is noteworthy that neither Ilya Muromets nor other Russian heroes ever perform feats just for the sake of personal glory, as the heroes of Western chivalric novels sometimes do. The deeds of Russian knights are always socially significant. This is the most famous feat Ilya Muromets - victory over the Nightingale the Robber, who killed travelers with his robber whistle. “You are full of tears and fathers and mothers, you are full of widows and young wives,” says the hero, killing the villain.
Another feat of the hero was the victory over Idolishch, who seized power in Constantinople. Idol is a collective image of nomadic enemies - the Pechenegs or Polovtsians. These were pagan peoples, and it is no coincidence that Idolishch threatens to “smoke God's churches" Defeating this enemy, Ilya Muromets acts as a defender of the Christian faith.
The hero always appears as a defender common people. In “Ilya Muromets and Kalin the Tsar,” Ilya refuses to go into battle, offended by the injustice of Prince Vladimir, and only when the prince’s daughter asks the hero to do this for the sake of poor widows and small children, does he agree to fight.
Possible historical prototypes
No matter how fabulous the plots of the epics about Ilya Muromets may seem, historians say: this is a real person. His relics rest in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, but initially the tomb was located in the chapel of St. Sophia of Kyiv - the main temple Kievan Rus. Usually only princes were buried in this cathedral; even boyars were not given such an honor, therefore, the merits of Ilya Muromets were exceptional. Researchers suggest that the hero died in 1203 during a raid by Cuman troops on Kyiv.
Another version is offered by historian A. Medyntseva, who tried to explain why the epic tradition connected the image of Ilya Muromets with Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, who lived much earlier. Without denying the connection epic hero with the real-life Ilya Muromets, she points out that another source of the image could be the same person who served as the prototype for Dobrynya Nikitich. It was the uncle of Prince Vladimir
Russians folk tales - this is a significant element national history, through the prism of which one can consider not only the people, but also holistic education, but also its individual aspects. Belief in good and evil, justice, family foundations, religious views, awareness of one’s own place in the world around us. Russian folktale always carries a teaching component, hiding it under the shell of a light, simple narrative.
Heroes of Russian folk tales- these are collective images of the most typical folk traits. The breadth of the Russian soul, the proverbial maybe or the fool rich in thoughts - everything is reflected in folklore stories. Whatever fairy tale we take, it’s hidden all around deep meaning. Often, under the guise of a clumsy clubfooted bear, a gullible hare or a cunning fox, one can see the vices of human character, much more clearly than would be noticeable in “adult” stories.
It’s not for nothing that they say- the fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it...
Animal heroes in Russian folk tales are closely related to the ideas about the world of the ancient Slavs. The close proximity to the natural environment, vast forests and valleys of deep rivers, put us in fairy tales typical representatives the surrounding landscape - foxes, bears, wolves, hares. Cattle and small cattle also often act as fairy-tale characters. Especially in cases where the cult of home, prosperity, family is emphasized ( for example, in the fairy tale Kroshechka-Khavroshechka). Poultry is also revered ( Chicken Ryaba), and small rodents ( Mouse Norushka).
It is important to remember that the ability not just to listen, but to hear and understand what is hidden in Russian folk tales, is as valuable as, for example, understanding foreign language. The words themselves have no meaning. It is much more important what depth they store within themselves. And, since fairy tales have been preserved and survived troubled and well-fed times, it means that they really are a storehouse of folk knowledge.
List of heroes of Russian folk tales
1. Baba Yaga
Evil woman in mythology Slavic peoples. Acts as a negative hero. Endowed magical power. Its main attributes: a black cat, a hut on chicken legs, a mortar with a broom.
In different fairy tales, the image of Baba Yaga has different emotional connotations. Sometimes she confronts the main character; in some cases supports and instructs him; less often, she herself speaks out against evil.
Baba Yaga is very ancient mythological image. It allows us to take a different look at the life and philosophy of our ancestors.
Tales about Baba Yaga:
2.Vasilisa the Beautiful
A collective idealized image of the feminine in fairy tales. Combines the mind - worldly wisdom and beauty. Considered a daughter Sea King, and goes to the main character as a reward for victory over evil. Other names: Elena the Wise, Vasilisa the Wise, Marya the Artisan, Marya Morevna. Often changes images, transforming into animals.
Vasilisa is a very ancient Slavic image that idealizes the feminine. Reading carefully fairy tales, you can learn a lot about ancient social institutions and relationships between men and women.
Tales about Vasilisa the Beautiful (the Wise):
3. Water
Lord of the water element in the minds of the Slavic peoples. Moreover, in contrast To the Sea King, rules over stagnant, musty waters: whirlpools, swamps, ice holes. Usually depicted as an old man with fish-like features, a long shaggy beard, dressed in mud.
The legends about Vodyanoy are very diverse. He is powerful and, despite his bad temper, favors beekeepers. He also does not touch the fishermen who are ready to share their catch with him. But the unbaptized or those who forgot to make the sign of the cross before bathing do not regret anything.
Tale about a merman:
4. Firebird
A fire bird; usually the search object the main character of the fairy tale. It cannot be picked up with bare hands. The singing of the Firebird heals the sick, restores youth, and drives away sorrows. Capable of giving its owner untold wealth.
5. Serpent Gorynych
Mythical dragon in Slavic mythology. Has several heads. Capable of spewing flames. Lives in the area Fire River and guards the passage to Kingdom of the Dead. In fairy tales it appears as negative character, an integral link in the balance of the forces of good and evil.
6. Ivan the Fool
Comical character in Russian folk tales. This is a collective image of the poorest peasant class - illiterate, unsophisticated and outrageously simple in everyday affairs. It is for these qualities that Ivan the Fool is given what he deserves. The late Christian cultural layer also plays an important role in this image.
Truly I tell you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3)
7. Ivan Tsarevich
Hero of Russian folk tales. In most stories - positive character. Name "prince" indicates royalty of intentions and actions rather than an actual title. Usually, according to the plot, he performs a difficult task for which he receives a reward.
8. Kolobok
The main character of the Russian folk tale of the same name; rolled dough ball symbol of contentment and satiety of the Russian people. A limited number of ingredients are used to prepare it, but despite this, Kolobok turns out rosy and appetizing. Hidden in this the main moral of the tale. True, in the end, for his arrogance, Kolobok is overtaken by retribution.
But, all the same, it is emphasized - Bread is the head of everything.
9. Cat Bayun
Endowed with magical powers mythical creature. Usually, bad guy
. It has enormous size and the ability to speak in a human voice. "Bayun" means talker. With his stories - fairy tales, a cat can chat his interlocutor to death. However, for those who manage to tame it or receive it as a trophy, the cat will give eternal health, youth and strength.
10. Koschey (Kashchei) the Immortal
Skinny, wrinkled old man. Always a negative character in fairy tales. Has magical powers. Immortal. His life is enclosed in several objects placed one inside the other. For example, an oak tree, underneath there is a cave, there is a chest, in the chest there is a box, in the box there is an egg, in the egg there is a needle. In Slavic mythology, it guards the passage to the Kingdom of the Dead. Enters into an alliance with Zmey Gorynych.
According to the plot of the fairy tale, he often kidnaps the main character’s bride.
11. Chicken Ryaba
The magic chicken from the fairy tale of the same name. Carries golden eggs. Personifies special role domestic animals on a farm. Reasonable and wise. Shows that gold may not always be more important than an ordinary egg which is used for food.
12. Leshy
Owner of the forest, incorporeal or corporeal being. Capable of changing appearance. He transforms into animals, trees, dwarfs, giants, and even takes on the appearance of familiar people. Goblin neutral. And depending on his attitude towards the hero, he becomes either kind or evil character. Can emulate all the sounds of the forest. Often the approach of Leshy is guessed in the rustling of leaves in calm weather.
13. Dashing
Living embodiment difficult human lot, fate. Usually appears in the form one-eyed ugly monster with a slobbering toothy mouth. The prototype of Likh in Slavic mythology is greek myths about the one-eyed Cyclops.
14. Frost
Morozko, Santa Claus. This gray-bearded old man in a long fur coat with a staff in his hands. Is patron of the cold. Snowfalls, blizzards and blizzards are subject to it. Usually fair. He gives gifts to those he likes. Helps in difficult situations and punishes those who deserve it. He rides a large sleigh drawn by three horses.
(IN Western tradition– Santa Claus rides on a sleigh with reindeer).
15. Sea King
Lord of all earthly waters. Possesses untold riches, left over from those that sank in different historical eras ships. The Tsar lives in a huge palace in the very depths of the sea. They surround him sea maidens, which are capable of captivating sailors and men just casually walking along the shore. The king is subject to storms. He sinks ships at will.
16. Snow Maiden
Granddaughter of Santa Claus. In Slavic mythology it is mentioned as a girl made made of snow. IN winter period The Snow Maiden is having fun and behaves like an ordinary child. And as soon as the sun warms up, it melts, turning into a cloud until the next Winter.
Winter scares summer, but it still melts.
17. Soldier
The hero of Russian fairy tales, devoid of any supernatural power. Is the personification ordinary Russian people. As a rule, after finishing his service, he finds himself in difficult situations, from which they help him get out magical creatures and objects.
The fire heats a soldier, the rain washes him, the wind blows him, the frost burns him, but he is still the same.
18. Princess Nesmeyana
The Tsar's daughter who never smiled. According to fairy tales, main character figures out how to make the princess laugh and for this gets her as his wife, along with half the kingdom.
Laughter is not a sin as long as it is pleasant for everyone.
19. Frog Princess
Usually, under the guise of the Frog Princess hides Vasilisa the Wise. She is forced to stay in the body of an amphibian until the main character frees her. Possesses magical abilities and worldly wisdom.
20. Miracle Yudo
An extraordinary fairy-tale character sea dweller And oceans. Does not carry a pronounced emotional coloring (neither good nor evil). Usually perceived as a wonderful fish.
Elena Evgenievna Zyzina
Interactive game “Kind and evil heroes Russian folk tales"
Interactive game« Good and evil heroes of Russian folk tales»
Target: with examples fairy tales form an idea about good and evil, to uncover good and evil deeds. Make it clear that everyone is given freedom choice: create good or evil. Continue to learn how to make a coherent story, develop coherent speech skills.
One of the main topics Russian folk tales had a theme of good and evil. IN In fairy tales there are good and evil heroes. Heroes of Russian fairy tales are often magical powers, which in ancient times served as the subject of people's faith in mystical reality. Every fairy tale hero has its own unique type - one starts intrigues, the other brilliantly defeats the villain and lives happily ever after.
Appears in this game fairy tale hero, and the guys must answer whether he is good or evil. You can also clarify what actions he committed hero. Good heroes go to the kingdom Of good, evil ones - to the kingdom of Evil.
Publications on the topic:
The role of fairy tales in a child’s life is very huge. A fairy tale for a child is not just a fantasy, but a special reality. It helps to understand the human world.
A fairy tale enters a child’s life from the very beginning. early age, accompanies throughout preschool childhood and remains with him for life.
Photo report "Day of Russia and Russian folk tales" Today, June 13, in junior and middle groups The holiday "Day of Russia and Russians" took place.
Presentation “Interactive quiz on knowledge of Russian fairy tales” THE QUIZ IS USED SIMILAR TO THE TV GAME "OWN GAME". GOAL: To develop children's love for Russian folk tales. OBJECTIVES: Educational:.
Quest game for senior preschool age “In the footsteps of Russian folk tales” Quest - a game for older children preschool age“In the footsteps of Russian folk tales” Educational area: speech development. Integration:.
We are talking about the main character's bride. Whether he is Ivan the Tsarevich or Ivan the Fool, he will certainly find Vasilisa the Wise or Vasilisa the Beautiful. The girl is supposed to be saved first, and then married - everything is honorable. But the girl is not easy. She can hide in the form of a frog, have some kind of witchcraft abilities, be able to speak with animals, the sun, wind and moon... In general, she is clearly difficult girl. At the same time, it’s also kind of “secret”. Judge for yourself: it is much more difficult to find information about her than about any other fairy-tale character. In encyclopedias (both classic, paper, and new, online ones) you can easily find lengthy articles about Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich, about Koshchei the Immortal and about Baba Yaga, about mermaids, goblin and merman, but there is almost nothing about Vasilisa . On the surface lies only a short article in the Bolshoi Soviet encyclopedia which reads:
"Vasilisa the Wise - a character of Russian folk fairy tales. In most of them, Vasilisa the Wise is the daughter of the sea king, endowed with wisdom and the ability to transform. Same female image acts under the name of Marya the Princess, Marya Morevna, Elena the Beautiful. Maxim Gorky called Vasilisa the Wise one of the most perfect images created by folk imagination. The destitute orphan, Vasilisa the Beautiful, in Afanasiev’s unique text, is different in nature.”
Let's start, perhaps, with Vasilisa the Elder, with the one whom Gorky identified with Marya the Princess, Marya Morevna and Elena the Beautiful. And there was every reason for that. All these characters are very similar, for example, in that nothing is really said about them in fairy tales. Like, a beautiful maiden, the likes of which the world has never seen - and that’s all. Neither detailed description appearance, or any character traits. Just a woman-function, without which a fairy tale will not work: after all, the hero must conquer the princess, and who she is is the tenth matter. Let there be Vasilisa.
The name, by the way, hints at high origin. The name "Vasilisa" can be translated from Greek as "royal". And this royal maiden (sometimes in fairy tales she is called the Tsar Maiden) begins to subject the hero to tests. That is, sometimes it is not she who does this, but some fairy-tale villain like Koshchei the Immortal or the Serpent Gorynych, who kidnapped the princess and is holding her captive (in best case scenario) or is going to devour (at worst).
Sometimes the father of the potential bride plays the role of the villain. In the fairy tale, where Vasilisa appears as the daughter of the water king, the ruler of the sea waters puts obstacles in the way of the hero to destroy him, but loses because the enemy suddenly turns out to be dear to his daughter’s heart, and no witchcraft can defeat him. But here everything is more or less clear: there is some evil force (a dragon, a sorcerer, or the girl’s evil parents), and the hero must fight the enemy. In fact, this is how he becomes a hero. And a princess, princess or princess (it doesn’t matter) is a reward for the hero.
However, it also happens that Ivan the Fool or Ivan the Fool or some other central fairy-tale character is forced to undergo trials not because of dragons or sorcerers - he is tormented by the bride herself. Either the hero needs to jump on horseback to the windows of her little room and kiss the beauty on the sugar lips, then he needs to recognize the girl among twelve friends who look exactly like her, then he needs to catch the fugitive - or demonstrate enviable cunning in order to hide from the princess so that she didn’t find him. At worst, the hero is asked to solve riddles. But in one form or another, Vasilisa will test him.
It would seem that what is unusual about the tests? Testing a man is generally feminine character: is he good enough to connect his life with him or give birth to offspring, does he have the strength and intelligence to be a worthy husband and father? From a biological point of view, everything is absolutely correct. However, there is one small detail. If unfortunate Ivan does not complete the task, then death awaits him - and this is repeatedly emphasized in dozens of Russian fairy tales.
One wonders why beautiful princess demonstrates bloodthirstiness, which is more suitable for the Serpent Gorynych? Because in reality she doesn’t want to get married at all. Moreover, she is the enemy of the hero, believes the famous researcher of Russian folklore Vladimir Propp in his book " Historical roots fairy tale":
“The task is set as a test of the groom... But these tasks are also interesting to others. They contain a moment of threat: “If he doesn’t do it, he will cut off his head for his offense.” This threat gives another motivation. In the tasks and threats one can see not only the desire to have something for the princess best groom, but also a secret, hidden hope that such a groom will not exist at all.
The words “I guess I agree, just complete three tasks in advance” are full of deceit. The groom is sent to his death... In some cases this hostility is expressed quite clearly. It manifests itself outward when the task has already been completed and when more and more new and more dangerous tasks are asked.”
Why is Vasilisa, aka Marya Morevna, aka Elena the Beautiful, against marriage? Perhaps in fairy tales, where she constantly intrigues the main character, she simply does not need this marriage. She either rules the country herself - and she does not need a husband as a rival in power, or she is the daughter of a king who will be overthrown by her potential husband in order to seize the throne. Quite a logical version.
As the same Propp writes, the plot about the machinations that the future father-in-law perpetrates on the hero together with his daughter or in defiance of her could well have had a real basis. According to Propp, the struggle for the throne between the hero and the old king is a completely historical phenomenon. The tale here reflects the transfer of power from father-in-law to son-in-law through a woman, through a daughter. And this once again explains why fairy tales say so little about the appearance and character of the bride - this is a character-function: either a prize for the hero, or a means of achieving power. Sad story.
Meanwhile, in the Russian tradition there is a fairy tale that tells about Vasilisa’s childhood, adolescence and youth. It was Gorky who mentioned her, saying that she was not like the usual image of a princess whom the hero is trying to win. In this fairy tale, Vasilisa is an orphan girl. It's not a fact that this is the same character. However, this Vasilisa, unlike other fairy-tale namesakes, is an absolutely full-blooded heroine - with a biography, character, and so on.
I'll sketch it out in dotted lines. storyline. A merchant's wife dies, leaving him with a little daughter. The father decides to marry again. The stepmother has her own daughters, and all this new company begins to tyrannize Vasilisa, loading her with backbreaking work. In general, it is very similar to the fairy tale about Cinderella. It seems, but not entirely, because Cinderella was helped by a fairy godmother, and Vasilisa was helped by a creepy witch from the forest.
This is how it turned out. The stepmother and her daughters said that there was no more fire in the house, and they sent Vasilisa into the forest to Baba Yaga, of course, hoping that she would not return. The girl obeyed. Her road is through dark forest was scary - and strange: she met three horsemen, one white, another red, and the third black, and they were all riding towards Yaga.
When Vasilisa reached her abode, she was met by high fence made of stakes planted with human skulls. Yaga's house turned out to be no less creepy: for example, instead of servants, the witch had three pairs of hands that appeared out of nowhere and disappeared to God knows where. But the most terrible creature in this house was Baba Yaga.
The witch, however, received Vasilisa favorably and promised that she would give her fire if Vasilisa completed all her tasks. Completing difficult tasks is an indispensable path of the hero. Unlike the fairy tales mentioned above, in this one it is a woman who goes through it, and therefore her tasks are female, there are simply too many of them: to clean the yard, and sweep the hut, and wash the linen, and cook dinner, and sort the grains, and that’s it. - for one day. Of course, if the tasks were completed poorly, Baba Yaga promised to eat Vasilisa.
Vasilisa washed Yaga's clothes, cleaned her house, prepared food for her, then learned to separate healthy grains from infected ones, and poppy seeds from dirt. Afterwards, Yaga allowed Vasilisa to ask her a few questions. Vasilisa asked about the three mysterious horsemen - white, red and black. The witch replied that it was a clear day, a red sun and a black night, and all of them were her faithful servants. That is, Baba Yaga in this fairy tale is an extremely powerful sorceress.
Afterwards she asked Vasilisa why she didn’t ask further, about dead hands, for example, and Vasilisa replied that if you know a lot, you will soon grow old. Yaga looked at her and, narrowing her eyes, said that the answer was correct: she doesn’t like people who are too curious and eats them. And then she asked how Vasilisa managed to answer her questions without errors and how she managed to do all the work correctly.
Vasilisa replied that her mother’s blessing helped her, and then the witch pushed her over the threshold: “I don’t need blessed ones here.” But in addition she gave the girl fire - she removed a skull from the fence, whose eye sockets were blazing with flame. And when Vasilisa returned home, the skull burned her tormentors.
A creepy tale. And its essence is that Vasilisa the Beautiful, while carrying out the tasks of Baba Yaga, learned a lot from her. For example, while washing Yaga’s clothes, Vasilisa literally saw what the old woman was made of, the famous fairy tale researcher Clarissa Estes writes in her book “Who Runs with the Wolves”:
"In the symbolism of the archetype, clothing corresponds to the persona, the first impression that we make on others. A persona is something like a camouflage that allows us to show others only what we ourselves want, and no more. But... a persona is not only a mask behind which you can hide, but there is a presence that eclipses the usual personality.
In this sense, the persona or mask is a sign of rank, dignity, character and power. This is an external indicator, an external manifestation of mastery. By washing Yaga’s clothes, the initiate will see with her own eyes what the person’s seams look like, how the dress is cut.”
And so - in everything. Vasilisa sees how and what Yaga eats, how she makes the world revolve around her, and makes the day, sun and night walk as her servants. And a terrible skull, blazing with fire, which the witch hands to the girl, in this case- a symbol of the special witchcraft knowledge that she received while being a novice with Yaga.
The sorceress, by the way, might have continued her studies if Vasilisa had not turned out to be a blessed daughter. But it didn’t work out. And Vasilisa, armed with force and secret knowledge, went back to the world. In this case, it is clear where Vasilisa got her magical skills, which are often mentioned in other fairy tales. It is also clear why she can be both good and evil.
She is still a blessed child, but Baba Yaga’s school is also here to stay. Therefore, Vasilisa ceased to be a meek orphan: her enemies died, and she herself married a prince and sat on the throne...
