Ancient Russian literature - what is it? The works of the 11th-17th centuries include not only literary works, but also historical texts (chronicle stories and annals), descriptions of travels (which were called walks), lives (narrations about the life of saints), teachings, messages, examples of the oratorical genre, as well as some texts of business content. Themes ancient Russian literature as you can see, very rich. In all works there are elements of emotional illumination of life, artistic creativity.
Authorship
At school, students study what ancient Russian literature is, outline the basic concepts. They probably know that most of the works relating to this period have not retained the author's names. Rus is basically anonymous and therefore similar to oral folk art. The texts were handwritten and distributed by correspondence - copying, as a result of which they were often reworked to suit new literary tastes, the political situation, and also in connection with the literary abilities and personal preferences of the scribes. Therefore, the works have come down to us in different editions and versions. Comparative analysis They help researchers reconstruct the history of a particular monument and make a conclusion about which of the options is closest to the original source, the author's text, as well as trace the history of its change.
Sometimes, in very rare cases, we have the author's version, and often in later lists you can find the monuments of ancient Russian literature that are closest to the original. Therefore, they should be studied on the basis of all available options for works. They are available in large city libraries, museums, archives. Many texts have been preserved in a large number of lists, some in a limited number. The only option is presented, for example, "The Tale of Woe-Misfortune", "The Tale of Igor's Campaign".
"Etiquette" and repeatability
It is necessary to note such a feature of Old Russian literature as the repetition in different texts belonging to different eras of certain characteristics, situations, epithets, metaphors, comparisons. The works are characterized by the so-called etiquette: the hero behaves or acts one way or another, because he follows the concepts of his time about how one should behave in various circumstances. And events (for example, battles) are described using constant forms and images.
10th century literature
We continue to talk about what ancient Russian literature is. Take notes on the main points if you are afraid to forget something. majestic, solemn, traditional. Its origin dates back to the 10th century, more precisely, to its end, when, after the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in Rus', historical and official texts written in Church Slavonic began to appear. Through the mediation of Bulgaria (which was the source of these works), Ancient Rus' joined the developed literature of Byzantium and the southern Slavs. For the realization of its interests, the feudal state headed by Kiev had to create its own texts and introduce new genres. With the help of literature, it was planned to educate patriotism, assert the political and historical unity of the people and the ancient Russian princes, and expose their strife.
Literature of the 11th - early 13th centuries
The themes and tasks of the literature of this period (the struggle against the Polovtsians and Pechenegs - external enemies, the issues of the connection of Russian history with the world, the struggle for the Kiev throne of princes, the history of the emergence of the state) determined the nature of the style of this time, which D. S. Likhachev called monumental historicism. The emergence of chronicle writing in our country is associated with the beginning domestic literature.
11th century
The first lives date from this century: Theodosius of the Caves, Boris and Gleb. They are distinguished by attention to the problems of modernity, literary perfection, and vitality.
Patriotism, maturity of social and political thought, publicism and high skill marked oratory"Word of Law and Grace", written by Illarion in the first half of the 11th century, "Words and Teachings" (1130-1182). "Instruction" of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir Monomakh, who lived in the period from 1053 to 1125, is imbued with deep humanity and concern for the fate of the state.
"The Tale of Igor's Campaign"
It is impossible to do without mentioning this work when the topic of the article is Old Russian literature. What is "The Tale of Igor's Campaign?" This greatest work Ancient Rus', created by unknown author in the 80s of the 12th century. The text is devoted to a specific topic - the unsuccessful campaign in the Polovtsian steppe in 1185 by Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich. The author is interested not only in the fate of the Russian land, he also recalls the events of the present and the distant past, therefore the true heroes of the "Word" are not Igor and not Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, who also receives a lot of attention in the work, but the Russian land, the people - what is based on ancient Russian literature. The "Word" is connected in many ways with the narrative traditions of its time. But, as in any brilliant creation, it also contains original features, manifested in rhythmic refinement, linguistic richness, the use of techniques characteristic of oral folk art, and their rethinking, civil pathos and lyricism.
National Patriotic Theme
It is raised during the period of the Horde yoke (from 1243 to the end of the 15th century) by ancient Russian literature. in the works of this time? Let's try to answer this question. The style of monumental historicism acquires a certain expressive tone: the texts are lyrical and have tragic pathos. The idea of a strong centralized princely power was gaining momentum at this time. great importance. In separate stories and chronicles (for example, in "The Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu"), the horrors of the enemy's invasion and the brave struggle against the enslavers of the Russian people are reported. This is where patriotism comes in. The image of the defender of the earth, the ideal prince, was most clearly reflected in the work "The Tale of the Life of Alexander Nevsky" written in the 70s of the 13th century.
Before the reader of "Words about the destruction of the Russian land" opens a picture of the greatness of nature, the power of the princes. This work is only an excerpt from an incomplete text that has come down to us. It is dedicated to the events of the first half of the 13th century - the difficult time of the Horde yoke.
New style: expressive and emotional
In the period of 14-50s. In the 15th century, ancient Russian literature changed. What is the expressive-emotional style that arose at this time? It reflects the ideology and events of the period of unification of northeastern Rus' around Moscow and the formation of a centralized Russian state. Then the literature began to show interest in personality, human psychology, his inner spiritual world(although still only within the framework of religious consciousness). This led to the growth in the works of the subjective principle.
And so it appeared a new style- expressive-emotional, in which verbal sophistication and "word weaving" should be noted (that is, the use ornamental prose). These new techniques were intended to reflect the desire to depict the feelings of an individual.
In the second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries. there are stories that go back in their plot to a novelistic character oral stories("The Tale of the Merchant Basarga", "The Tale of Dracula" and others). The number of translated works of a fictional nature is noticeably increasing;
"The Tale of Peter and Fevronia"
As mentioned above, the works of ancient Russian literature also borrow some features of legends. In the middle of the 16th century, Yermolai-Erasmus, an ancient Russian publicist and writer, created the famous Tale of Peter and Fevronia, which is one of the most significant texts in Russian literature. It is based on the legend of how, thanks to her mind, a peasant girl became a princess. Widely used in art fabulous tricks, there are also social motives.
Characteristics of 16th century literature
In the 16th century, the official character of the texts intensifies, hallmark literature becomes solemnity and pomp. Distribution is received by such works, the purpose of which is the regulation of political, spiritual, everyday and legal life. A striking example- "Great, which is a set of texts, consisting of 12 volumes, which were intended for home reading for every month. At the same time, "Domostroy" was created, where the rules of behavior in the family are set out, advice is given on housekeeping, as well as on relations between people. IN historical works of that period, fiction is increasingly penetrating in order to give the story an interesting plot.
17th century
The works of ancient Russian literature of the 17th century are noticeably transformed. The art of the so-called modern times begins to take shape. There is a process of democratization, the subject of works is expanding. The role of the individual in history is changing due to events peasant war(late 16th - early 17th centuries), as well as the Time of Troubles. The deeds of Boris Godunov, Ivan the Terrible, Vasily Shuisky and other historical characters are now explained not only by divine will, but also by the personality traits of each of them. A special genre appears - democratic satire, where church and state orders, legal proceedings (for example, "The Tale of the Shemyakin Court"), and clerical practice ("Kalyazinskaya Petition") are ridiculed.
"Life" of Avvakum, everyday stories
written in the 17th century autobiographical work who lived from 1620 to 1682. Archpriest Avvakum - "Life". It is set out in the textbook "Old Russian Literature" (Grade 9). A feature of the text is a juicy, lively language, sometimes colloquial, sometimes high bookish.
During this period, everyday stories about Frol Skobeev, Savva Grudtsyn and others were also created, reflecting distinctive character ancient Russian literature. There are translated collections of short stories and poetry develops ( famous authors- Sylvester Medvedev, Simeon Polotskits, Karion Istomin).
The history of ancient Russian literature ends with the 17th century, and the next stage begins - the literature of the new time.
Russian chronicles are a unique historiographical phenomenon. It is from them that we know about early period our history, but to this day, researchers cannot come to a consensus, both about their authorship and about their objectivity ...
Main riddles
"The Tale of Temporary Affairs", as we know it, or rather do not know it, is a continuous series of tricky riddles to which hundreds are dedicated scientific treatises in which light historical minds trying to unravel them.
But on the surface - four riddles. And, in fact, they have been on the agenda for two centuries (at least). And still have not received final approval.
What are these riddles? - Who is author? Where is the Primary Chronicle? Next, a favorite Russian question - Who is to blame? With regard to the "Tale" - in factual confusion. And, finally, is this ancient Code subject to restoration? But first, what is a chronicle?
What is a chronicle?
Purely Russian phenomenon. World analogues among literary genres she doesn't. The word itself comes from the old Russian "summer", which means "year". That is, the chronicle is what was created "from year to year." It was formed not by one person and not in one generation. In fabric contemporary authors events were intertwined with ancient legends, legends, traditions and outright conjectures. The monks worked on the annals.
The most common title of "The Tale" was formed from the initial phrase: " Behold the tales of bygone years…” In the scientific community, two more names are in use - "The Primary Chronicle" or "Nestor's Chronicle".
But some historians seriously doubt that the monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra has anything to do with the chronicle of the lullaby period of the Russian nation. Academician A.A. Shakhmatov assigns Nestor the role of a processor of the Initial Code.
What is known about him? The name is hardly generic, since he was a monk, which means that he wore something else in the world. That the Pechersk monastery sheltered him. Within its walls and made his spiritual feat industrious hagiographer of the late XI - early XII centuries. For which he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in the guise of saints (i.e., one who pleased God with just a monastic feat). He lived somewhere for 58 years and at that time was supposed to be a deep old man.
Historian Yevgeny Demin notes that "there is no exact information about the year and place of birth of the "father of Russian history", and the exact date of his death is not recorded anywhere." Although the dates appear in the Brockhaus-Efron dictionary: 1056-1114. But already in the 3rd edition of the Great Soviet encyclopedia they disappear.
"The Tale" is considered one of the earliest of the Old Russian annals of the beginning of the XII century that have come down to us. Nestor begins his story immediately from post-Flood times. And it follows the historical canvas until the second decade of the XII century - that is, until the end of its own years. However, on the pages of the "Tale" itself, Nestor's name either did not exist, or was not preserved.
Authorship was established indirectly. Based on fragments of its text as part of the Ipatiev Chronicle, which begins just with an unnamed mention of its author, a Chernorizian Caves monastery. Further - in the message of another Cave monk, Polycarp, to Archimandrite Akindin, dated from the 13th century, Nestor is directly indicated.
Modern science also notes the not quite usual position of the author, which accompanies the tie of legends throughout the chronicle - these are bold and generalized assumptions. And the manner of Nestor's presentation is known to historians. Since the authorship of his “Readings on the Life and the Destruction of Boris and Gleb” and “The Life of St. Theodosius, Abbot of the Caves” is authentic.
Comparisons
The latter gives specialists the opportunity to compare the author's approaches. In "Life" we are talking about the legendary associate and one of the first disciples of Anthony from Lubech, who founded the oldest Orthodox monastery in Rus' - the Caves Monastery under Yaroslavl the Wise in 1051.
Nestor himself lived in the monastery of Theodosius. And his “Life” is so overflowing with the smallest nuances of everyday monastic existence that it’s not even clear to an expert - it was written by a man who “knew” this world from the inside.
As for the "Tale", it must be remembered that the calling of the Varangian Rurik, for example, first described in it - that he came to Rus' with his brothers Sineus and Truvor and founded the state in which we seem to live - is written 200 years after this supposed event.
Where is the original chronicle?
She is not. Nobody. This cornerstone of our Russian statehood is some kind of phantom. Everyone has heard about him, the whole of Russian history is pushing from him, but no one is behind him. recent years 400 in the hands did not hold and did not even see.
Even V.O. Klyuchevsky wrote: “In libraries, do not ask for the Primary Chronicle - they will probably not understand you and will ask again:« What list of chronicles do you need?»
Until now, not a single manuscript has been found in which the Primary Chronicle would be placed separately in the form in which it came out from the pen of the ancient compiler. In all known lists it merges with the story of its successors.
Who is responsible for the confusion?
Now what we call The Tale of Bygone Years exists only within other sources and is in circulation in three editions. Laurentian Chronicle of 1377. Ipatievskaya, which is attributed to the XV century. And the Khlebnikov list of the 16th century.
But all these lists are by and large, only copies in which the Primary Chronicle appears in a completely different options. The initial arch in them simply sinks. Scientists attribute this blurring of the primary source to its repeated and somewhat incorrect use and editing.
In other words, each of the future "co-authors" of Nestor (or some other monk of the Caves) considered this work purely subjectively and in the context of his era. He tore out from the annals only that which attracted his attention. And inserted into your text.
And what I didn’t like, at best, I didn’t touch (and the historical texture was lost), at worst, I twisted the information so that the compiler himself would not recognize it.
Can the Primary Chronicle be restored?
No. Since this mess of falsifications has been brewed for a long time and not by us. From which experts are forced - literally bit by bit - to fish out initial knowledge about where did the Russian land come from ...».
Therefore, even such an indisputable authority in the identification of ancient Russian literary rarities as Chess, a little less than a century ago, was forced to state that the original textual basis of the chronicle - "in the current state of our knowledge" - cannot be restored.
Scientists assess the reason for such barbaric "editing" as an attempt to hide the truth about events and personalities from posterity, which was done by almost every copyist, whitewashing or defaming.
1. Chronicle - a genre of ancient Russian literature.
2. "The Tale of Bygone Years": what is it about?
3. A work imbued with patriotism and love.
Before talking about The Tale of Bygone Years, it is necessary to say what the chronicle is. Chronicles are monuments of historical writing and literature of Ancient Rus'. The peculiarity of the chronicle is that all entries in it were kept in chronological order by year. Chronicles were not created by one person, many chroniclers worked on them. The new chronicle certainly relied on the previous ones, the compilers included materials from other chroniclers in their texts. Distinctive feature chronicle was that it was not dry and impartial. The chroniclers gave the events their subjective assessments, accompanied by various additions and comments. So, the chronicle can be called a set of heterogeneous genres. The chronicle included texts of weather records, military stories, materials from the princely archives. According to the definition of Dmitry Sergeevich Likhachev, the chronicle is one of the “unifying genres”.
The most ancient chronicles are the Laurentian and Ipatiev Chronicles. Lavrentievskaya got its name from the monk Lavrenty, who rewrote it by order of the Nizhny Novgorod-Suzdal prince Dmitry Konstantinovich in 1377. The Ipatiev Chronicle is named after the Ipatiev Monastery in Kostroma.
In general, the chronicle can be called the main, fundamental genre of ancient Russian literature.
Chronicle writing in Rus' began a very long time ago: approximately in the first half of the 11th century. Large and developed cities - Kyiv and Novgorod - became the centers of chronicle writing. As a rule, chronicles were written by monks. After all, it was the monasteries at that time that were the centers of literacy. This was a state matter, and often the chronicle was compiled on behalf of the prince, hegumen or bishop. Sometimes the chronicle reflected exactly those events that were pleasing to the prince, and a real defeat on paper turned into a victory. But the compilers of chronicles, even fulfilling a certain "order", often showed independence, independence of thought, and sometimes criticized the actions and deeds of the princes, if they seemed to them deserving of blame. The chronicler strove for truthfulness.
The Tale of Bygone Years is an outstanding monument not only of ancient Russian literature, but also of history. Reading it, we can trace the history of the formation of the ancient Russian state, its political and cultural heyday, the process of feudal fragmentation that began.
"The Tale of Bygone Years" was written in the first decades of the XII century, but before modern reader came as part of the annalistic vaults of a later time. The oldest of them are the aforementioned Laurentian and Ipatiev Chronicles, as well as the First Novgorod Chronicle, dated 1377, 1420, and 1330.
All subsequent chronicles of the 15th-16th centuries certainly included The Tale of Bygone Years, of course, subjecting it to processing - both editorial and stylistic.
The chronicler who created The Tale of Bygone Years is not known to us. Scientists can only assume that its author was Nestor, a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery.
The chronicler compared books to rivers: "Behold, the essence of the rivers that water the universe." This comparison can be applied to the chronicle itself. After all, it is not only literary, but also historical monument. The chronicle majestically, slowly, tells us about the events that took place on Russian soil, and each of its heroes is a real person. Most various genres, included in the Tale of Bygone Years, are, as it were, tributaries of this full-flowing and stormy river. They not only make it a unique work, but also give it unique, bright features, make this monument stronger in the artistic sense.
"The Tale of Bygone Years" is a mirror in which the life of that time was clearly and clearly reflected. Here we see both the ideology of the tops of feudal society, and the people's thoughts and aspirations.
The great monument begins with simple and at the same time majestic words: “Here are the stories of the past years, where did the Russian land come from, who was the first to reign in Kiev, and how the Russian land arose.”
Initially, the chronicle tells about the Slavs, their origin, customs, way of life, separation from those 72 peoples that occurred after the Babylonian pandemonium.
The chronicle tells us about the most important events in the history of the country: the creation Slavic alphabet Cyril and Methodius, the calling of the Varangians, the campaign against Byzantium, the conquest of Kyiv by Oleg, his life and death, the reign of Olga.
A major role in The Tale of Bygone Years is played by such a topic as the baptism of Rus'. After all, with the advent of Christianity in Rus', the life of our ancestors has changed a lot.
A considerable place in the "Tale ..." is given to various legends and legends created by the people. They not only enrich the chronicle as piece of art, but also express the point of view ordinary people on the history of our country.
The Tale of Bygone Years is imbued with the patriotic idea of uniting the Russian land against external enemies and condemning fratricidal strife. This explains the introduction to the chronicle historical evidence princely crimes.
In the annals one can also find a large number of praise - both to princes and books. According to the chronicler, a wise prince must certainly be well-read, and a book is a source of wisdom: “After all, there is great benefit from the teaching of the book: by books we are instructed and taught on the path of repentance, for we gain wisdom and abstinence in the words of the book. These are the rivers that water the universe, these are the sources of wisdom, after all, there is immeasurable depth in books; by them we console ourselves in sorrow; they are the bridle of restraint.”
The Tale of Bygone Years has also become a source of inspiration for many talented writers. The images of Vladimir, Svyatoslav, Oleg were reflected in the works of A. S. Pushkin, K. F. Ryleev and others.
In my opinion, main lesson that we can extract from The Tale of Bygone Years is respect for the historical past of our people. Touching the history of our homeland, we better understand our ancestors, their psychology and way of life.
- What was the genre of chronicle in ancient Russian literature?
- How was the chronicle created?
- What is the Tale of Bygone Years about?
- Retell an excerpt from the annals on behalf of Prince Oleg.
- What can attract a modern reader in annalistic narration?
Chronicle genre - view narrative literature in Russia XI-XVII centuries. These were weather (by years) records or a collection of various works, both all-Russian and local. The word summer (year) determined the following of records. Having recorded the events of one year, the chronicler marked that year and moved on to the next. Thus, a consistent picture of the events of life turned out to be in the hands of descendants. "The Tale of Bygone Years" is an all-Russian chronicle.
The monk-chronicler wrote down the most important events day after day, indicating when they happened. Thus history, with its troubles and joys, left a trace in the monastic cells.
The anonymous chroniclers help us to imagine the past: the annals include the biographies of the saints, the texts of treaties, and teachings. Chronicle turned into a kind of textbook of wisdom.
A special place in the Russian chronicles is occupied by The Tale of Bygone Years, created in the 10s of the 12th century by the monk of the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery Nestor.
Nestor defined his tasks in this way: “... where did the Russian land come from, who became the first to reign in Kyiv, and how the Russian land arose.” In "The Tale ..." the main theme is the theme of the Motherland. It is she who dictates the assessment of events to the chronicler: the need for agreement between the princes is affirmed, feuds between them are condemned, and a call for unity in the fight against external enemies is heard. The events of history follow each other. The history of the reigning of all rulers contains both a description of events and an assessment of their actions.
In the textbook-reader there is a story about the death of Prince Oleg from his horse. It is impossible to retell it entirely on behalf of the prince, but it is possible to the place where he dies from a snake bite. material from the site
"I long years I lived in peace with my neighbors, and for many years my beloved horse carried me along the roads of my Motherland. But once the Magi predicted death from this horse to me, and I decided to part with him. I regretted that I would never sit on it again or even see it again. When, after a long hike, I returned home and found out that my horse had died a long time ago, I laughed at the words of the magician. Then I decided to see the bones of the horse.” This is where you can finish your story, since it is impossible to continue on behalf of Oleg - we know that the prince died from a snake bite that crawled out of the skull of his horse.
The chronicle attracts readers with the perfection of its form, which conveys to us the style of narration of a distant era, but even more so because it tells us about the events of a distant time, about people and their actions.
Features of the chronicle genre.
Chronicle genre is historical genre ancient Russian literature, which existed in the 11-17 centuries.
Chronicle - special kind historical narrative by years (years). Russian chronicle originated in the 11th century. and continued until the 17th century. Having reached significant development in the 11th-12th centuries, chronicle writing then fell into decay due to the Mongol-Tatar invasion. In many chronicle centers it is dying out altogether, in others it is preserved, but it has a narrow, local character.
The revival of chronicle work begins only after the Battle of Kulikovka (1380). Old Russian chronicles have come down to us as part of later (mainly 14th-15th centuries) chronicle collections. The largest chronicle Old Russian state is The Tale of Bygone Years (written at the beginning of the 12th century).
Russian medieval chronicles are major monuments spiritual culture. It is wrong to limit their value only as sources of our information about the events of the past. Chronicles are not just a listing of historical facts. They embodied wide circle ideas and concepts of medieval society. Chronicles are monuments of both social thought and literature, and even the beginnings of scientific knowledge. They are like a synthetic monument. medieval culture, and it is no coincidence that for more than two centuries the attention of researchers of the most diverse aspects of the historical past of our country has been riveted to them. It can be said without exaggeration that we have no more valuable and at the same time interesting monuments spiritual culture of the past than our chronicles - from the famous "Tale of Bygone Years" by the Kyiv monk Nestor to the last chronicles of the 17th century. The fact that chronicles turned out to be such a synthetic work of culture was a natural manifestation of characteristic features medieval social consciousness.
All-Russian chronicle codes - chronicle monuments of the 11th-16th centuries. They outlined the history of individual regions and principalities from an all-Russian point of view. The name was given by A. A. Shakhmatov. The first all-Russian annalistic code that has survived to this day is The Tale of Bygone Years. Also known is the Front Chronicle of the 16th century. The book tells about world history from biblical times to the time of Ivan the Terrible. The World History considered inseparably from the history of the Russian state. A whole workshop worked on the books: about 15 scribes and 10 artists. Thumbnails not only illustrate the text, but also complement it. Some events are not written, but only drawn. The front chronicle is not only a monument of the Russian manuscript book, it is a literary, historical, artistic monument world importance. Many countries would like to have such ancient description history of their country, but, unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as Russia. This handwritten book is also interesting from the point of view that at that time books began to be printed. The annalistic code, as it were, completes the time of the handwritten book. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, the book was kept in the Kremlin, then came to different owners. It is known that one volume belonged to Peter I, then he gave it to his daughter.
Weather record - oldest form narration (records are arranged in a weather grid - by year).
As D.S. Likhachev shows, an ancient Russian literary work is often formed according to the “principle of enfilade construction”. The scientist writes about "the prevalence in ancient Russian literature of compilations, vaults, connection and stringing of plots - sometimes purely mechanical. Works were often mechanically connected to each other, as separate rooms were connected into one enfilade." The researcher extends the principle of "enfilade", or "ensemble" to the sphere of the genre, and connects this principle with the problem of the status and boundaries of the work in ancient Russian literature. "The concept of a work," writes D.S. Likhachev, "was more complicated in medieval literature than in the new one. A work is both a chronicle and separate stories, lives, messages included in the chronicle. This is life and separate descriptions miracles, "praise", hymns that are included in this life. Therefore, individual parts of the work could belong to different genres.
"Enfilade", or "ensemble" character of Old Russian literary work can be comprehended from the point of view of the principle and types of artistic integrity. Old Russian works of traditional genres - chronicles, stories, lives, teachings, etc. - are far from always complete in the sense in which the works of Russian literature are integral - internally, organically. classical literature. Old Russian work internally (structurally and constructively) openly - both at the level of the text, and at the level of image and plot - into the world of handwritten tradition and other texts, into the world of medieval symbols and motifs, narrative and genre canons, plot and thematic interest. Genuine artistic integrity in Old Russian literature can be achieved at levels that are different and structurally higher than the level individual work in a separate list or a separate edition. This integrity can be found at the level of the system of all editions of a work, at the level of a cycle of works, at the level of a manuscript collection, and finally, at the level of a system of all works of a certain genre (for example, the system of chronicles).
Both chronicles and chronicles (chronographs) were vaults, or compilations. The chronicler could not describe all the events according to his own impressions and observations, if only because both chronicles and chronicles tried to start the presentation from the “very beginning” (from the “creation of the world”, from the formation of this or that state, etc. ), and, consequently, the chronicler was forced to turn to sources that existed before him, telling about more ancient times.
On the other hand, the chronicler could not simply continue the chronicle of his predecessor. Firstly, he could not, because each chronicler, as a rule, pursued some political trend of his own and, in accordance with it, reworked the text of his predecessor, not only omitting materials that were insignificant or did not suit him politically, but also supplementing it with extracts from various sources, thus creating its own, different from the previous version of the chronicle narrative. Secondly, so that his work does not acquire an exorbitant volume from the combination of many extensive sources, the chronicler had to sacrifice something by issuing messages that seemed to him less significant.
The first chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years".
The Tale of Bygone Years, like most chronicles, is a collection, a work based on previous chronicle writings, which included fragments from various sources, literary, journalistic, folklore, etc. The Tale of Bygone Years, as a monument of historiography , is permeated with a single patriotic idea: the chroniclers strive to present their people as equal among other Christian peoples, proudly recall the glorious past of their country - the valor of the pagan princes, the piety and wisdom of the Christian princes. The chroniclers speak on behalf of all of Rus', rising above petty feudal disputes, resolutely condemning the strife and "which", describing with pain and anxiety the disasters brought by the raids of nomads. In a word, The Tale of Bygone Years is not just a description of the first centuries of the existence of Rus', it is a story about great beginnings: the beginning of Russian statehood, the beginning of Russian culture, about the beginnings, which, according to the chroniclers, promise in the future the power and glory of their homeland.
But The Tale of Bygone Years is not only a monument of historiography, it is also outstanding monument literature. Compositional originality"The Tale of Bygone Years" is manifested in the combination of many genres in this work. In the annalistic text one can distinguish, as it were, two types of narration, which are essentially different from each other. One type is weather records, i.e. brief information about the events that have taken place. So, article 1020 is one message: "Born a son to Yaroslav, and named him Volodimer." It's a fix historical fact, no more. Sometimes a chronicle article includes a number of such fixations, a list of various facts, sometimes it even reports in sufficient detail about an event that is complex in its structure: for example, it is reported who took part in a military action, where the troops gathered, where they moved, how that event ended. or another battle, what messages were exchanged between princes-enemies or princes-allies. There are especially many such detailed (sometimes multi-page) weather records in the Kyiv Chronicle of the 12th century. But the point is not in the brevity or detail of the narrative, but in its very principle: whether the chronicler informs about the events that have taken place and whether he talks about them, creating a plot narrative. The Tale of Bygone Years is characterized by the presence of just such plot stories.
"The Tale of Bygone Years" is complex in its composition and the diversity of its components, both in origin and in genre affiliation. The Tale, in addition to brief weather records, includes the texts of documents, and retellings of folklore legends, and plot stories, and excerpts from monuments of translated literature. We will meet in it a theological treatise - “the speech of a philosopher”, and a hagiographical story about Boris and Gleb, and paterinic legends about the Kiev-Caves monks, and a church eulogy of Theodosius of the Caves, and a laid-back story about a Novgorodian who went to tell fortunes to a magician .
The nature of the chronicle genre is very complex; the chronicle is one of the “unifying genres”, subordinating the genres of its components - a historical story, life, teaching, a laudable word, etc. And yet the chronicle remains whole work, which can be studied as a monument of one genre, as a literary monument.
