The purpose of the lesson.
- Commenting on the content of 2, 16, 25, 26 chapters of M.A. Bulgakov, to show how the relationships of the characters are built.
- Develop monologue speech, the ability to draw conclusions, work with text.
- Moral education.
Epigraph to the lesson(ch.26).
“Now we will always be together. Once one, it means the other right there! They will remember me, they will immediately remember you too!
Yes, don't forget, remember me:
The main questions of the lesson (written on the board).
1. The place of "New Testament" chapters in M. Bulgakov's novel.
2. The fifth procurator of Judea - Pontius Pilate.
3. Wandering philosopher Yeshua Ha-Nozri.
4. The duel between Pontius Pilate and Yeshua.
The commandments of Yeshua are written on the board.
"There will be a new temple of truth: not faith, but truth."
"All people are good: not evil, but good."
"All power is violence: not power, but freedom."
During the classes
Repetition.
1. What time events does Bulgakov describe, telling the story of the life of the Master and Margarita?
(Conclusion about Moscow and New Testament chapters).
2. What biblical character is being discussed on the pages of Bulgakov's novel?
Conclusion: but main character New Testament chapters - Pontius Pilate.
Image of Pontius Pilate.
Historical reference.
Unlike other heroes, this is a reliable historical figure. The place of action of the "New Testament" chapters is Judea of the 1st century AD. Behind Yershalaim, one can easily guess the outlines of historical Jerusalem - the center of Judea in the era of the Roman emperor Tiberius (14 - 37 AD). The Sanhedrin exercised local power, while the supreme power belonged to the governor of the emperor - the procurator. Pilate is the exact historical name of the Roman procurator, Pilate of Pontus, who ruled Judea (Palestine) as part of the Roman province of Syria. This was the fifth ruler of Judah. According to Christian tradition, the main evangelical events belong to the time of his reign.
Individual task. "Image of Pontius Pilate".
1. How Pontius Pilate performs his duties. (2 ch.)
2. Confirm with the text that he is an educated person (chapter 2).
3. What do his subordinates think of him?
Image of Pontius Pilate.
Teacher's comment. Pontius Pilate, whose moral judgment seems to have been predetermined, is considered by Bulgakov from the inside as a complex and, in his own way, dramatic figure. He is no stranger to thought human feelings, living compassion. He clearly does not want to waste the life of Yeshua. He likes the wandering philosopher, he is ready to save him from the fanaticism of his compatriots. But Pontius Pilate's decision changes dramatically as soon as Yeshua's speech concerns power, supreme power, which the all-powerful procurator is afraid of. Cowardice is the main trouble of Pontius Pilate. She led the procurator to cruelty and betrayal.
Commenting on a quote from E. Renan's book "The Life of Jesus".
"By playing a treacherous role in the Calvary execution, the state dealt itself the heaviest blow. A legend full of disrespect for the authorities prevailed and went around the world. In this legend, the authorities play a vile role, the accused is right, and the judges and the police unite against the truth."
Individual task.
"The Biblical Legend of the Crucifixion of Christ and Its Interpretation in M. Bulgakov's Novel".
1. Retell the plot biblical legend about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
2. How Bulgakov changed this plot (follow chapters 2, 16, 25, 26).
Image of Yeshua.
Teacher. : The crowd of curious people has long dispersed, the soldiers were exhausted from the heat and boredom, the sun was descending over Bald Mountain, and on a pillar, crucified and burned by the sun, Yeshua Ha-Notsri, who so recklessly believed in good, is living his last minutes. Powerlessly hanging his head to one side in an unwound turban, tormented by horseflies, it is not the all-powerful and resurrected God who dies in the morning, but a mortal, weak person who followed his convictions, accepted the torment of the cross for them and thereby gave them invincible strength. The content of this image is growing, rising in its meaning, and behind that shameful execution in Yershalaim we distinguish in the fog of two millennia Giordano Bruno ascended the fire, and the executed Joan of Arc, and five shadows of the hanged Decembrists, and a long series of victims made by mankind on his way to justice and truth. These people wanted to remain true to themselves and their idea, which seemed too new, bold or dangerous to their contemporaries, and they had to pay for it with their lives and thereby ensure posthumous glory for their cause.
The duel between Pontius Pilate and Yeshua (commented reading of the second chapter) and an appeal to the commandments of Yeshua.
1. Why is the question about the duel raised in general? (Before us completely different people(already presented) with different views and social status).
2. What match? (Verbal).
4. What address does the procurator not accept, why?
5. Why, according to Yeshua, " evil people out of the blue." Why do people become so? How does Bulgakov, by Pilate's behavior, show the procurator's nascent interest in the wandering philosopher? (First, the eyes are closed, then one opens, the other, a smile appears).
6. What temple of "old faith" and "new truth" is Yeshua talking about?
7. How do you understand the word "truth"? (Look in the dictionary, show N.N. Ge's picture "What is truth?" Conclusion: from a philosophical concept to a specific situation).
8. Why does Pontius Pilate get the impression that Yeshua Ha-Nozri is a great person?
9. What helps Pontius Pilate get rid of a deadly headache (human participation, compassion) relieves suffering?
10. What should have followed the words of Yeshua that the procurator had lost faith in people? (Anger, and Pontius Pilate orders to untie his hands).
11. What decision does the hegemon take regarding Yeshua's case?
12. Why did the decision change? (dependent, not free).
13. What does Yeshua think about authority? (p. 24).
14. What last attempt does Pontius Pilate make to save Yeshua? (release in honor of Easter).
15. Why is Pontius Pilate incomprehensible to the decision of the Sinadrion and its president, the high priest Joseph Kaifa, to release the criminal - the murderer Barravanna, and not the wandering philosopher Ha-Nozri?
16. When pronouncing the sentence on Yeshua, Pontius Pilate pronounces the phrases: "Dead", then "Dead". What did he mean?
17. Who is the winner in this duel?
Individual task. The image of Yeshua Ha-Nozri.
- Retelling of "The Execution of Yeshua" (chap. 16).
- To whom were addressed last words Yeshua: "Among human vices he considers cowardice to be one of the most important."
- What happens in nature during the execution of Yeshua? .
Conversation on the text of chapters 16, 25, 26.
Question: "How is the fate of Pontius Pilate decided in the Master's novel?"
1. Why does Matthew Levi suffer so much? Why does he want to kill Yeshua?
2. What does Pontius Pilate reproach the disciple Yeshua with?
3. Why does Pontius Pilate decide to "save" Judas from Cariath?
4. What thoughts, thoughts haunt the great procurator even in his sleep? ("Dream of Pilate")
1. What does the Master do when he releases his hero? (forgives sins, man forgives man). The wandering philosopher Yeshua Ga-Nozri speaks through the Master's mouth.
2. As a theme of mercy, compassion from the "New Testament" chapters is continued in the "Moscow" (individual task "Margarita and Frida").
Conclusions at the end of the lesson.
1. What philosophical questions ("eternal") does Bulgakov propose for discussion when he tells about the tragic fate of the fifth Jewish procurator and the immortality of Yeshua Ha-Notsri? (philosophical: what is truth, what is the price of life).
2. Why in modern world there was a need to study the moral biblical commandments, the history of the life of Jesus Christ.
3. What is the value of the "New Testament" chapters of the novel?
4. Why do critics say that the New Testament chapters show a "controversy about man"?
In his amazing romance"The Master and Margarita", M. Bulgakov uses an interesting design of its structure. This work can be called a novel within a novel. Chapters creative work devoted to two topics - everyday and biblical. In several chapters, which had a biblical direction, the author reflects on the struggle between good and evil.
A special role is played by the episode of the interrogation of Yeshua, which we get acquainted with in the chapter "Pontius Pilate". M. Bulgakov begins the episode of interrogation with a description of Pilate's appearance. He is wearing a cloak that has bloody linings. This speaks of the cruelty and viciousness of the procurator. With all this, he says confidently, correctly. Pilate is quite educated and clever man. But, every day he is tormented by a terrible headache from which there is no escape.
On one of the days of his reign, he meets with Yeshua and a conversation is started between them. During the interrogation, Yeshua communicates with the procurator quietly and calmly. He addresses him with the words: “Good man! ... ". The hero behaves naturally, and tries to communicate with Pontius Pilate, as a common person with a person. At first, their conversation was quite tense. The gloomy procurator, oppressed by a terrible headache and unbearable sun, communicates heavily, it is difficult for him to look at a tramp. But, delving into the conversation, Pontius Pilate becomes interested in communicating with Yeshua. He asks questions that are far from standard interrogation. During their intercourse, the tramp brings out the truth for the procurator. Without asking anything, he knows that the ruler has a terrible headache and relieves it.
It is at this moment that he realizes that he is not facing an ordinary person. Pilate is simply amazed at how much Yeshua believes in those around him. The procurator himself had long ago lost all hope in real people. Pontius Pilate is trying with all his might to save Yeshua from execution. But, he can't do anything. The tramp was a political criminal, and there was no forgiveness for him according to the laws of that time.
This episode reveals the truth to the reader. Yeshua sees the goodness in all people, no matter what they do. The tramp knows the value of life. He talks about the harmony that will come someday. And people will cease to be cruel, they will not need an army and evil rulers.
After the execution of Yeshua, Pontius Pilate suffers painfully from remorse. He feels guilty about what happened. He did too little to free the tramp.
The problem of conscience and guilt is one of the main problematic lines that M. Bulgakov tried to reveal. The two characters that met in this episode are completely opposite. But, in the end, they walk together along the lunar road and enthusiastically talk to each other.
The purpose of the first lessons is to show how independent in in a certain sense the work devoted to the history of Yershalaim is most closely intertwined with the chapters that tell about the present.
teacher's word
Novel, feathered Masters - this is the core on which the whole work rests. It is based on certain chapters of the New Testament. But the difference between a work of art and a theological work is obvious. The master creates original piece of art: the Gospel of John, which Bulgakov loved most of all, does not talk about the suffering of Pontius Pilate after the execution of Jesus.
Woland asks the Master: "What is the novel about?" What does he hear in response? "The Romance of Pontius Pilate". Consequently, it was the procurator of Judea who was the main character for the author himself, and not Yeshua Ha-Nozri. Why? This question will be answered in class.
Question
The master is not talking about the son of God, his hero is a simple man. Why? What problems will be resolved in Bulgakov's novel - theological or real, mundane?
Answer
The once disgraced novel is dedicated to earthly life, and it is no coincidence that the story of Yeshua and Pilate will unfold in parallel with the story of the Master and Margarita.
Chapters 2, 16, 25, 26, 32, epilogue are taken for analysis.
Exercise
The portrait is one of the ways to reveal the character of the hero, in it the author reflects internal state, spiritual world depicted face. Let's see how the two heroes appear before the reader - Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea with unlimited power, and Yeshua Ha-Nozri, a wandering twenty-seven-year-old philosopher, who, by the will of fate, is now in front of the eyes of the lord.
Answer
“This man was dressed in an old and torn blue chiton. His head was covered with a white bandage with a strap around his forehead, and his hands were tied behind his back. The man had a large bruise under his left eye, and an abrasion with dried blood in the corner of his mouth. The man brought in looked at the procurator with anxious curiosity.
The second participant in this scene: “In the early morning of the fourteenth day of the spring month of Nisan, in a white cloak with a bloody lining, shuffling with a cavalry gait, the procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate, entered the covered colonnade between the two wings of the palace of Herod the Great”.
Teacher
One word in this description immediately attracts attention: the lining is “bloody”, not red, bright, crimson, etc. A man is not afraid of blood: he, who has a “cavalry gait”, is a fearless warrior, not without reason he was nicknamed the “Rider of the Golden Spear”. But, probably, he is not only like that in relation to enemies in battle. He himself is ready to repeat about himself what others say about him, "a ferocious monster."
But now he suffers from a headache. And the author will talk about his sufferings, constantly referring to one detail of his portrait - his eyes.
Exercise
Let's follow the text as the eyes of the procurator change: “The swollen eyelid lifted, the eye, covered with a haze of suffering, stared at the arrested person. The other eye remained closed…” “Now both sore eyes were staring hard at the prisoner…” “He was looking at the prisoner with bleary eyes”…
It is precisely the fact that Yeshua guessed about his suffering and freed the procurator from them that will make Pontius Pilate treat the arrested person differently than he probably treated similar people before. But the person standing in front of him also interested him in speeches.
Question
Is the prisoner afraid of Pontius Pilate?
Answer
He is afraid to experience physical pain again (on the orders of the procurator, Ratslayer beat him). But he will remain unshakable when he defends his view of the world, of faith, of truth. He carries an inner strength that makes people listen to him.
Question
What fact, mentioned by Yeshua himself, confirms that he knows how to convince people?
Answer
This is the story of Levi Matthew. “Initially, he treated me with hostility and even insulted me ... however, after listening to me, he began to soften ... finally threw money on the road and said that he would go with me to travel ... He said that money had become hated to him from now on.
To Pilate's question, is it true that he, Yeshua Ha-Nozri, called for the destruction of the temple, he replies: “... spoke about the fact that the temple of the old faith would collapse and a new temple of truth would be created”. The word has been spoken. “Why did you, vagabond, embarrass the people in the bazaar, telling about the truth about which you have no idea? What is truth?.
Yeshua declares that the truth is, first of all, that Pilate has a headache. It turns out that he can save the lord from this pain. And he continues with the "tramp" conversation about the truth.
Question
How does Yeshua develop this concept?
Answer
For Yeshua, the truth is that no one can control his life: “... agree that cutting the hair” on which life hangs, “probably only the one who hung it can”. For Yeshua, the truth is that "evil people don't exist". And if he talked to Ratslayer, he would change dramatically. Significantly, Yeshua speaks of this "dreamily." He is ready to go to this truth with the help of persuasion, words. This is his life's work.
“Some new thoughts came to my mind that might, I believe, seem interesting to you, and I would gladly share them with you, especially since you give the impression of a very smart person ... The trouble is that you are too closed and completely lost faith in people. After all, you must admit, you can’t put all your affection in a dog. Your life is meager, Hegemon."
Question
Pontius Pilate, after this part of the conversation, decides in favor of Yeshua. Which?
Answer
To declare a wandering philosopher mentally ill, not finding corpus delicti in his case, and, having removed him from Yershalaim, subject him to imprisonment where the residence of the procurator was located. Why? This is the kind of person you want to keep. Pilate, who sees around him only those who are afraid of him, can afford the pleasure of having a person of independent views next to him.
Question
But everything cannot be resolved so peacefully, because life is cruel and people who have power are afraid of losing it. At what point will Pontius Pilate's mood change? Why would he be forced to retract his original decision? Let's follow this through the text.
Answer
The secretary, who takes notes during the interrogation, also sympathizes with Yeshua. Now he "unexpectedly" with regret will answer in the negative to Pilate's question: "Everything about him?" and give him another piece of parchment. "What else is there?" Pilate asked and frowned. “After reading the filed, he changed even more in his face. Whether dark blood rushed to his neck and face, or something else happened, but only his skin lost its yellowness, turned brown, and his eyes seemed to have sunk in.
Again, it was probably the blood that rushed to the temples and pounded in them, only something happened to the procurator's eyesight. So, it seemed to him that the head of the prisoner floated away somewhere, and another appeared instead of it. On this bald head sat a rare-toothed golden crown; there was a round ulcer on the forehead, corroding the skin and smeared with ointment; a sunken, toothless mouth with a drooping, capricious lower lip…”.
This is how Pilate sees Caesar, and therefore serves him not out of respect. And then because of what?
“And something strange happened to the hearing - as if in the distance, trumpets played softly and menacingly, and a nasal voice was very clearly heard, arrogantly drawing out the words:“ The law on lèse majesté ”” ...
Question
What did Pontius Pilate read in this parchment?
Answer
Yeshua will say this out loud a little later, and it turns out that the conversation about the truth is not over yet.
“Among other things, I said ... that all power is violence against people and that the time will come when there will be no power of either Caesars or any other power. A person will pass into the realm of truth and justice, where no power will be needed at all.
Question
Does Pontius accept this truth?
Answer
“Do you think, unhappy, that the Roman procurator will release a man who said what you said? Oh gods, gods! Or do you think I'm ready to take your place? I don't share your thoughts!
Question
What happened to the procurator? Why is he prompting Yeshua a saving answer a few minutes ago: “Did you ever say anything about the great Caesar? Answer! Spoke?.. Or... didn't... speak? “Pilate extended the word “not” a little more than it was supposed to be in court, and sent Yeshua in his gaze some thought that he seemed to want to inspire the prisoner.” Why would Pilate approve the death sentence now?
Answer
Being a brave warrior on the battlefield, the procurator is a coward when it comes to Caesar, power. For Pilate, the place he occupies is a “golden cage”. He is so afraid for himself that he will go against his conscience.
Teacher's comment
No one can make a person freer than he is free internally. And Pontius Pilate is internally not free. Therefore, he will betray Yeshua.
There are people who commit such betrayals calmly: Judas does not suffer morally by selling Yeshua. But Pontius Pilate is one of those people who has a conscience. That is why, realizing that he will be forced to pass judgment on Yeshua, he knows in advance that along with the death of the wandering philosopher, his own will come - only moral.
“Thoughts rushed short, incoherent and unusual: “Dead!”, Then: “Dead! ..” And some completely absurd among them about some one that must certainly be - and with whom ?! - immortality, and immortality for some reason caused unbearable longing.
And after the Sanhedrin confirmed its decision regarding the execution of Yeshua and the release of Bar-Rabban, “The same incomprehensible longing… permeated his whole being. He immediately tried to explain it, and the explanation was strange: it seemed vaguely to the procurator that he did not finish something with the convict, or perhaps he did not listen to something.
Pilate banished this thought, and it flew away in an instant, just as it had flown in. She flew away, and the melancholy remained unexplained, because it could not be explained by some short other thought that flashed like lightning and immediately extinguished: “Immortality… Immortality has come… Whose immortality has come? The procurator did not understand this, but the thought of this mysterious immortality made him go cold in the sun.
Question
Why does the possibility of immortality not please a person, but gives rise to horror in his soul?
Answer
A conscientious person cannot live with a stone in his soul. And even now Pilate is sure that he will not rest day or night. He will try to somehow soften the "sentence" to himself; he will even threaten Kaif: “Take care of yourself, High Priest… You won’t have… peace from now on! Neither you nor your people ... you will regret that you sent a philosopher to his death with his peaceful preaching.
Question
What other act will Pilate do in an attempt to alleviate the pangs of conscience?
Answer
He orders to end the suffering of Yeshua, crucified on a pillar. But all in vain. This is nothing compared to the words that Yeshua, before his death, asks to convey to Pilate.
Exercise
Let us find these words in chapter 25. They will be repeated to the procurator of Judea by Aphranius, the head of the secret service.
Answer
“Did he try to preach anything in front of the soldiers? - No, hegemon, he was not verbose this time. The only thing he said was that among the human vices, he considers cowardice to be one of the most important.
Teacher's comment
That's it - retribution. It is impossible to get away from him. You, Horseman of the Golden Spear, are a coward and must now agree with such a characterization of yourself. What can be done now? Something for which Caesar will not punish, but which will somehow help him, Pilate, to justify himself. What order and how will he give to the head of the secret police? Let's read this dialogue smart people who respect, understand each other, but are still afraid to speak openly. This conversation is full of omissions and half-hints. But Aphranius will perfectly understand his master.
“Nevertheless, he will be slaughtered today,” Pilate repeated stubbornly, “I have a presentiment, I tell you! There was no occasion for it to deceive me—here a spasm passed over the procurator's face, and he briefly rubbed his hands. “I’m listening,” the guest answered meekly, got up, straightened up, and suddenly asked sternly: “They will slaughter them, hegemon?” “Yes,” Pilate replied, “and all hope is only in your astonishing diligence.”
The diligence of the head of the secret police did not disappoint this time. (Chapter 29.) At night, Aphranius reported to Pilate that, unfortunately, "he failed to save Judas from Cariath, he was slaughtered." And his boss, unable and unwilling to ever forgive the sins of his subordinates, will say: “You did everything you could, and no one in the world,” here the procurator smiled, “could not have done more than you! Recover from the detectives who lost Judas. But even here, I warn you, I would not want the penalty to be in any way strict. In the end, we did everything to take care of this scoundrel.”.
In the chapters we are considering, there is another hero. This is Levi Matthew.
Question
How Levi Matthew will behave when he learns about the inevitability of Yeshua's death.
Answer
The former tax collector followed the procession with the convicts all the way to Bald Mountain. He “made a naive attempt, pretending not to understand the irritated shouts, to break through between the soldiers to the very place of execution, where the convicts were already being removed from the wagon. For this, he received a heavy blow with the blunt end of the spear in the chest and bounced off the soldiers, crying out, but not from pain, but from despair. He looked at the legionary who had hit him with a cloudy and completely indifferent to everything look, like a person who is not sensitive to physical pain.
He managed to settle into a crevice on a stone. The man's torments were so great that at times he spoke to himself.
"Oh, I'm stupid! he muttered, swaying on the stone in mental pain and scratching his swarthy chest with his nails, “fool, unreasonable woman, coward!” I am a carrion, not a man."
Question
What does Matthew Levi want most of all, realizing that he cannot save his teacher?
Answer
"God! Why are you angry with him? Send him death". And then - he dreams of jumping on a wagon. “Then Yeshua is saved from torment. One moment is enough to stab Yeshua in the back, shouting to him: “Yeshua! I save you and leave with you! I, Matvey, are your faithful and only disciple!” And if God had blessed with one more free moment, one could have time to stab himself, avoiding death on a pillar. However, the latter was of little interest to Levi, the former tax collector. He didn't care how he died. He wanted one thing, so that Yeshua, who had not done the slightest harm to anyone in his life, would avoid torture.
Question
How will Matthew Levi fulfill his last duty to the teacher?
Answer
He will remove his body from the pillar and carry it from the top of the mountain.
Question
Let us recall the conversation that took place between Pontius Pilate and Levi Matthew. (Chapter 26th). Why can we say that Matthew Levi is really a worthy disciple of Yeshua?
Answer
He will behave proudly, will not be afraid of Pilate. He was as tired as a man who thinks of death as a rest can be tired. At Pilate's offer to serve him ( “I have a large library in Caesarea, I am very rich and I want to take you into service. You will sort and store papyri, you will be fed and clothed.) Matvey Levi will refuse.
"- Why? the procurator asked, darkening his face, "I displease you, are you afraid of me?"
The same bad smile distorted Levi's face, and he said:
No, because you will be afraid of me. It won't be easy for you to face me after you killed him."
And Pontius Pilate realizes his triumph over Levi only for a moment, when he answers his statement about the desire to kill Judas that he has already done it.
Question
How did fate punish Pilate for his cowardice? (Chapter 32).
Answer
Woland, his retinue, the Master and Margarita, rushing on magical horses in the night, see a man sitting by the light of the moon, and next to him is a dog. Woland will tell the Master: “... I wanted to show you your hero. For about two thousand years he has been sitting on this platform and sleeping, but when the full moon comes, as you can see, he is tormented by insomnia. She torments not only him, but his faithful guardian, the dog. If it is true that cowardice is the most serious vice, then, perhaps, the dog is not to blame for it. The only thing a brave dog fears is thunderstorms. Well, the one who loves must share the fate of the one he loves.
When asked by Margarita what this man is talking about, Woland replies that “to his usual speech about the moon, he often adds that he hates his immortality and unheard-of glory more than anything in the world.”
Pilate long ago, immediately after the death of Yeshua, realized that he was right when he asserted that cowardice is one of the most terrible vices. And even more: “Philosopher, I object to you: this is the most terrible vice”. And for the most terrible vice man pays with immortality.
The episode "Interrogation in the Palace of Herod the Great" is the core of the second chapter of the novel by M.A. Bulgakov "Master and Margarita" "Pontius Pilate". This chapter logically breaks down the first and third - contemporary chapters, in which they appear different descriptions modernity: through a rationalistic representation of the world (Berlioz, Bezdomny) and a view of the world as a set of complex, including supernatural and unpredictable phenomena, and deepens philosophical idea linking them helps the reader to formulate the problem of the whole novel. In particular, the scene of interrogation by the Procurator of Judea Pontius Pilate of the philosopher Yeshua Ha-Nozri wandering from city to city allows you to think about what the world we live in, what is the position and role of man in this world.
Pontius Pilate appears in a white cloak with a bloody lining. White is a symbol of purity, light, truth; bloody - blood, cruelty, doubts, life in contradictions. The procurator hated the smell of rose oil (later we learn that roses are the favorite flowers of the Master and Margarita). These details are alarming, and we also learn about the "invincible, terrible disease of hemicrania." So, Pontius Pilate is the arbiter human destinies, the center of power, for him to approve the death sentence of the Sanhedrin, but it is already clear that it will not be easy for this person to take such a step. And here is a criminal in front of him, his hands are tied, there is a big bruise under his left eye, in the corner of his mouth there is an abrasion with dried blood. But his gaze is not full of fear, but of anxious curiosity, he is not depressed, confident in his innocence. He free man. Perhaps the procurator, announcing the first accusation, which is that Yeshua appealed to the people with an appeal to destroy the temple, feels the strength of the prisoner who appeared before him. That is why he is stern, sits like a stone, his lips move a little when pronouncing words, and his head burns with "hellish pain." The man in him fights with the ruler, his heart with cold calculation. The beginning of the conversation is the words of the arrested person, addressed to the hegemon: "Good man ..." These words plunged Pontius Pilate, he does not understand how he, the "ferocious monster", can be called that. He is angry. The authorities are gaining the upper hand, but this minute, unable to continue the conversation, he asks the Ratslayer to bring Yesha out and explain how to talk to him, but not to cripple him. And yet the words "good man" sound victorious. Ratslayer did not hit the prisoner hard, but he instantly collapsed to the ground.
From pain? From pain, too, but more from humiliation, which is why he asks not to beat him. In a further conversation, the hegemon calls Pilate so that this humiliation will not happen again. Otherwise, the philosopher is adamant. Doesn't want to admit to something he didn't do. For Pilate, “the easiest way would be to drive this strange robber from the balcony, saying only two words: “Hang him.” But the conversation continues, we learn the essence of Yeshua's crime.
“I, hegemon, spoke about the collapse of the temple of the old faith and the creation of a new temple of truth.” It's about not about creating new faith- Faith is blind. From faith to truth, essence human being This is the history of mankind. For a great procurator, this is the ravings of a madman. It is not given to man to know the truth, or even what truth is. But the mind does not listen to Pontius Pilate. He cannot help but ask a question, although his tone is ironic. The more unexpected is the answer: “The truth is, first of all, that your head hurts, and it hurts so badly that you cowardly think about death.” It is striking in that the abstract concept of "truth" becomes alive, real, here it is - in the pain that exhausts you. Truth turned out to be a human concept, it comes from a person and closes on him. But Pilate is not able to immediately abandon the habitual structure of thought. He cannot believe that human involvement saved him from pain. Compassion takes away suffering.
And then he returns to what at first irritated him: “Now tell me that you are always using the words“ good people"? Is that what you call everyone? “All of them,” answered the prisoner, “there are no evil people in the world.” Most likely, this statement by M.A. Bulgakov, together with his hero, wants to say that evil is a product of lack of freedom, it makes a person unhappy. Mark Ratslayer "became cruel and callous" because "kind people rushed at him like dogs at a bear". The Procurator of Judea does not agree with the prisoner, but does not contradict him either. And in the “light” head there was already a formula: “the hegemon sorted out the case of the wandering philosopher Yeshua, nicknamed Ha-Notsri, and found no corpus delicti in it.” He would not have approved the death sentence, recognizing Yeshua as mentally ill, if the defendant had not signed it himself. After all, a second charge is brought against him, a more serious one, since it concerns the Roman emperor. Ha-Notsri violated the "Liege of Majesty" law.
The accused confesses that under Judas of Kiriath he expressed his opinion on state power. The scene in which Pilate makes it possible to extricate himself, to be saved, to avoid execution, if he refutes his words about Caesar, is noteworthy. His heart tells him that in the truth preached by this man is the salvation of his soul. "Dead!", then: "Dead!.." anything about the great caesar? Answer! Spoke?.. Or... didn't... speak? “Pilate extended the word “not” a little more than it was supposed to at the court and sent Yeshua a thought that he seemed to want to inspire the prisoner.” But Yeshua did not take advantage of the opportunity given to him by Pilate. “Telling the truth is easy and pleasant,” he says, and confirms his idea that “any power is violence against people and that the time will come when there will be no power of either Caesars or any other power. A person will pass into the realm of truth and justice, where no power will be needed at all.
Pilate is shocked and frightened. If he lets Yeshua go, he will break the usual relationship between him and the authorities that govern him, he is a servant of Caesar, his position, career, and although he really wants to save Yeshua, he can step over the chains of this slavery beyond his strength. The words of the procurator sound allegorical: “You think, unfortunate one, that the Roman procurator will release a man who said what you said? Oh gods, gods! Or do you think I'm ready to take your place?" Yeshua, knowing that he will accept death for his convictions, does not renounce the truth, unlike Pilate, who cowardly agrees with the verdict of the Sanhedrin. Two opposites collide philosophical essence peace. One is the world of Pilate, familiar, comfortable, in which people imprison themselves in captivity, suffer in it, but the fear of power is stronger. The other is a world of kindness, mercy, freedom, a world in which a person has the right to doubt, to say what he thinks, to listen to his heart. And the formidable procurator felt the reality of this world, and everything that seemed unshakable, eternal, collapsed. Ha-Notsri was leaving forever, and Pilate's whole being was permeated with "incomprehensible longing." The choice is for the characters of the novel, for the reader.
Illustrations by mathematician and graphic artist Anatoly Timofeevich FOMENKO (b. 1945) for Mikhail Afanasyevich BULGAKOV's (1891-1940) novel The Master and Margarita (1929-1940).
Exit of Pontius Pilate for the trial of Yeshua.
“In the early morning of the fourteenth day of the spring month of Nisan, in a white cloak with a bloody lining, shuffling with a cavalry gait, the procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate, entered the covered colonnade between the two wings of the palace of Herod the Great.
More than anything in the world, the procurator hated the smell of rose oil...” 
Interrogation of Yeshua by Pontius Pilate.
“A dull, sick voice sounded:
- Name?
- My? the arrested man hastily responded, expressing with his whole being his readiness to answer sensibly, without arousing more anger.
Conversation between Pontius Pilate and Yeshua.
“Well, at least by your life,” replied the procurator, “it's time to swear by it, since it hangs by a thread, know this ... I can cut this thread.
“And in this you are mistaken,” the prisoner objected, smiling brightly and shielding himself from the sun with his hand, “accept that only the one who hung it up can probably cut the hair?”
The scene of Pilate's announcement of the verdict on Yeshua and the two criminals.
“He waited for some time, knowing that no force could be used to silence the crowd until it exhaled everything that had accumulated inside it and fell silent itself.
And when that moment came, the procurator threw up right hand and the last noise was blown away from the crowd.
Then Pilate drew as much hot air as he could into his chest and shouted, and his broken voice was carried over thousands of heads:
- In the name of Caesar Emperor!
Then an iron chopped cry hit him several times in the ears - in cohorts, throwing up spears and badges, the soldiers shouted terribly:
"Long live Caesar!"
Master and Margarita.
“Screaming softly, with her bare hands, she threw the last thing left there on the floor from the stove, a pack that took up immediately. Smoke filled the room now. I stamped out the fire with my feet, and she collapsed on the sofa and wept uncontrollably and convulsively.
When she calmed down, I said:
- I hated this novel, and I'm afraid. I am sick. I'm scared.
She rose and spoke:
- God, how sick you are. What is it for, what is it for? But I will save you, I will save you. What is it?
I saw her eyes swollen from smoke and crying, I felt how cold hands stroked my forehead.
Master and Margarita.
“And now, the last thing I remember in my life is a strip of light in my hallway, and in this strip of light a strand has developed, her beret and her eyes full of determination. I also remember a black silhouette on the threshold of the outer door and a white bundle.
Behemoth watches the execution of Yeshua and two criminals.
“The sun was already descending over Bald Mountain, and this mountain was cordoned off by a double cordon ... The heat was still unbearable, and the soldiers in both cordons suffered from it, languished from boredom and cursed the three robbers in their souls, sincerely wishing them speedy death».
The suffering of Levi Matthew during the execution of Yeshua.
"He screamed about his complete disappointment and that there are other gods and religions."
Execution of Yeshua.
“In obedience to the gestures of a man in a hood, one of the executioners took a spear, and the other brought a bucket and a sponge to the post. The first of the executioners raised the spear and tapped it first on one, then on the other hand of Yeshua, stretched out and tied with ropes to the crossbar of the pillar. The ribbed body shuddered. The executioner ran the end of the spear across his stomach. Then Yeshua raised his head, and the flies with a buzz removed, and the face of the hanged man was revealed, swollen from bites, with swollen eyes, an unrecognizable face.
Roman soldiers leave Golgotha. Shower.
“Darkness closed Yershalaim. The downpour came suddenly and found the centurii halfway up the hill. The water collapsed so terribly that when the soldiers ran down, raging streams were already flying after them. The soldiers slid and fell on the soaked clay, hurrying to a flat road, along which - already barely visible in the shroud of water - the wet cavalry went to Yershalaim to the skin.
Margarita in front of a mirror.
“Margarita Nikolaevna was sitting in front of the dressing table in one bathrobe thrown over naked body and black suede shoes.
Margarita at Woland's ball.
“When Margarita stood at the bottom of this pool, Hella and Natasha, who was helping her, doused Margarita with some kind of hot, thick and red liquid. Margarita felt salty taste on the lips and realized that they were washing it with blood.
Berlioz's head turns into a skull at Woland's ball.
Woland raised his sword. Immediately, the covers of the head darkened and shrank, then fell off in pieces, the eyes disappeared, and soon Margarita saw on a platter a yellowish skull with emerald eyes and pearl teeth, on a golden leg.
Manuscripts do not burn.
“Forgive me, I don’t believe it,” Woland replied, “this cannot be. Manuscripts do not burn. - He turned to Behemoth and said: - Come on, Behemoth, give me a novel here.
Jerusalem after the execution of Yeshua.
"Yershalaim is gone - great city as if it didn't exist. Darkness devoured everything, frightening all living things in Yershalaim and its environs. A strange cloud was brought from the sea towards the end of the day, the fourteenth day of the spring month of Nisan.
She had already leaned her belly on the Bald Skull, where the executioners hastily stabbed the executed, she fell on the temple in Yershalaim, slid down the hill with smoky streams and flooded the Lower City. She poured into the windows and drove people from the crooked streets into the houses. She was in no hurry to give up her moisture and gave only light. As soon as the smoky black brew opened fire, from pitch darkness a great block of the temple with a sparkling scaly cover flew up. But it faded in an instant, and the temple plunged into a dark abyss. Several times he jumped out of it and fell through again, and each time this failure was accompanied by a roar of disaster.
Other quivering glimmers called from the abyss the palace of Herod the Great opposite the temple on the western hill, and terrible eyeless golden statues flew up to the black sky, stretching out their arms to him. But again the heavenly fire hid, and heavy thunderclaps drove the golden idols into darkness.
Pilate in an armchair on a rock.
“Woland reined in his horse on a stony, joyless flat top, and then the riders moved forward, listening to how their horses crushed flint and stones with their horseshoes.
The moon flooded the platform green and bright, and Margarita soon made out in the desert area an armchair and in it the white figure of a seated man. It is possible that this seated person was deaf or too deep in thought. He did not hear how the rocky ground trembled under the weight of the horses, and the riders, without disturbing him, approached him.
The Master and Margarita retire
“Listen to the silence,” Margarita said to the Master, and the sand rustled under her bare feet- listen and enjoy what you were not given in life - silence.
