Chapter Державин и эзоповская традиция в XVIII веке

Overview & Synopsis

Derzhavin and the Aesopian Tradition in the Eighteenth Century. The literary tradition of the fable genre emerged and developed in the 18th century, starting from A. Kantemir, through the formal experiments of Trediakovskij and Lomonosov, Sumarokov’s “sklonenie na russkie nravy”, and the subsequent original elaboration by undisputed Russian representative I. Krylov. The article examines G. R. Derzhavin’s fable production in the context of the genre’s reception in 18th-century Russia. Derzhavin’s fables were published posthumously and have been little studied to this day. Overall, the poet composed 24 fables, 4 of which are based on the elaboration of Aesopian subjects. The latter are specific subjects of analysis through their comparison with previous literary versions. The work demonstrates how Derzhavin’ Aesopian fables versions are original and interesting as echoes of his creative evolution.