The name of the creator of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" is currently unknown, but his heroic poem still lives on and is deservedly included in the treasury of world literature.
Events described in the poem "The Tale of Igor's Campaign"
The poem "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" tells about the campaign of Prince Igor against the Polovtsy, Polovtsy. The poem describes two battles that took place in May 1185.
The first battle is easy for the Russians and they defeat the Cumans. The second battle was very difficult, as the Polovtsian army, which outnumbered the Polovtsian army, fought against a small Russian army. The battle lasted three days and ended with the defeat of the Russians. Almost the entire army was killed, and only fifteen soldiers managed to survive.
And for the first time in many years, the Russian princes are captured, among them the seriously wounded Vsevolod. Having defeated Igor, the Polovtsy again begin raids on Russian lands, capture and besiege several cities. After a successfulescape from captivity Igor returns home. After some time, Vsevolod also returned to his homeland.
Reasons for the campaign of Igor and Vsevolod
To understand the reason that prompted the Russian army to go on a campaign, you need to know about the very peculiar relationship between the Russians and the Polovtsians. The Russian princes became related to the Polovtsian khans, taking the khan's daughters as wives. Some Russian princes in the war with neighboring principalities called the Polovtsians as allies. In the early stages of his reign, Igor, in an alliance with the Polovtsy, ruined Russian cities.
But then Igor realized how detrimental to Russia this behavior of the princes was, and decided to atone for his guilt. In 1183 and 1184, the Polovtsy were defeated by the combined forces of the Russian princes. Igor could not take part in these events, as he was late. Igor was worried that he could not prove his loy alty to the alliance of Russian princes against the Polovtsy, so with the support of his younger brother Vsevolod, he, along with his son Vladimir and his nephew, went on a campaign.
Characterization of Vsevolod in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign"
Prince Vsevolod in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" - Igor's blood brother - one of the main characters of the poem.
The first part of the poem begins with the meeting of the brothers and the news that Vsevolod's squad is ready to march. It is easy to understand the reason that made him support his brother in this campaign: the voice of blood, respect for the elder and the decision he made. For him, Igor is a "stronghold", a defender equal in status to his father.
He loves his brother, proud of him, ready to respond to his call at the first call. WithIgor is bound by bonds of not only blood, but also military brotherhood. Reporting on the readiness of his army for the campaign, Vsevolod proudly says that the "glorious Kuryans" "serviceable knights" are experienced warriors who know "all the ways", that the horses are already under the saddle, and the weapons are ready for battle. These quotes from Vsevolod from "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" characterize Vsevolod as a good military leader.
The author describes the first battle and victory very briefly, but the battle that took place the next morning is described very vividly and expressively.
In the battle with a huge Polovtsian army, Russian soldiers show miracles of courage and courage. The author pays special attention to Vsevolod, calling him "glorious yar tour Vsevolod", "buoy tour". Bui tour is the most striking characteristic of Vsevolod in the Tale of Igor's Campaign, because in Russia this was the name of the most courageous and strong warriors. Vsevolod fights like a real hero, feeling no wounds in the excitement of battle, sparing neither his life nor the lives of his enemies, he rushes across the battlefield like a thunderstorm, sparkling with a golden helmet, and where he rides, Polovtsian heads remain lying there.
Battle is his element, in the heat of battle he forgets about his father's throne, about his beautiful wife. Behavior during the battle is a characteristic of Vsevolod in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" as a powerful, fearless warrior, the author admires him, is proud of his military skill, admires his strength, courage.
Author's attitude to Igor's campaign
Admiring the courage of Igor, Vsevolod and the entire Russian army,the author nevertheless condemns the organizers of the campaign. First of all, for the fact that, in search of personal glory, they put their interests above the interests of the Russian land. They destroyed the army and brought grief to women who lost sons, husbands, brothers in the battle.
They nullified the results of previous victorious campaigns led by Svyatoslav of Kyiv, opening the way for the Polovtsians to Russia.
But condemning his heroes, the author sympathizes with them, understanding their youth, ardor and arrogance, because Igor and Vsevolod are children of their time, full of strife, civil strife, vanity of princes.
The main idea of the poem "The Tale of Igor's Campaign"
Whoever the author of the work is, he, loving the Russian land with all his heart, tries to reason with the Russian princes and urges them to stop "forging sedition" and unite around the Kyiv prince, because only by uniting, the Russian army will close the gates to the Polovtsian field and be able to repel any opponent.
