Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov did a lot for the development of Russian literature. In his work, the great Russian philologist relied on the lyrical genre of the ode.
Preface
The ode takes its origins from antiquity. The 18th century of Russian literary creativity is represented by a wide variety of odes, such as commendable, spiritual, victorious-patriotic, philosophical and anacreontic. As usual, it is a quatrain with a repeating rhyme. In its domestic version, for the most part, there were stanzas consisting of ten verses.
Victory-patriotic "Ode on the Capture of Khotin"
Mikhail Vasilyevich presented his victoriously patriotic creation called "Ode on the Capture of Khotin" in 1739. In it, Lomonosov makes it possible to separate three basic parts: this is the introduction, the very description of the battle scenes and then the climax, represented by the glorification and awarding of the winners. The battle scenes are shown in the style of exaggeration inherent in Lomonosov, with many impressive comparisons, metaphors and personifications, which, in turn, most clearly reflect the drama and heroism of military operations.
Drama and pathos escalate with the advent of rhetorical questions,the author's exclamations, which he addresses now to the Russian soldiers, now to their opponents. In addition, there are references to the historical past, which in turn enriches the ode, performed in the spirit of patriotism.
The first person to use iambic tetrameter with male and female rhymes in his odes was Lomonosov. The ode genre is the true pinnacle of his work. Subsequently, iambic tetrameter was also presented in the works of Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov, Yesenin, Blok and other poets.
Ode of praise
Most of the odes written by Mikhail Vasilievich were connected with the coronation of one or another ruler. He dedicated his odes to John IV Antonovich, Peter III, Anna Ioannovna, Catherine II and others. An integral part of the idle coronation was the ode genre. Lomonosov was inspired, and each of his creations described the official-court role of the rulers in a much broader and more colorful way. In each of the odes, Mikhail Vasilyevich invested his ideological plan, anticipated the bright future of the Russian people.
The ode genre was used by Mikhail Vasilievich as one of the most convenient forms of conversation with the crowned rulers. In the form of this praise for deeds that, as a rule, the monarch had not yet committed, Lomonosov expressed his preferences, instructions and advice in favor of the great-power state. The ode allowed them to be presented in a soft, approving and flattering tone for the rulers. What was desired in the coronation praise of Lomonosov was presented as real and thus obliged the monarch to be in the futureworthy of her.
The genre of ode in the work of Mikhail Vasilyevich also reflected all sorts of events in the political life of that time. The greatest attention here was given to battle events. The great Russian poet was proud of the glory of Russian artillery and the greatness of the Russian state, capable of withstanding any enemy.
The poetic individuality of Mikhail Vasilyevich's laudable odes is fully identified with their ideological content. Each ode is an enthusiastic monologue of the poet.
Spiritual odes
Lomonosov fully proved himself in writing spiritual odes. In the 18th century, they were called poetic expositions of biblical writings with lyrical content. The book of psalms was at the head here, where the poets kept looking for topics similar to their thoughts and experiences. For this reason, spiritual odes could carry the most diverse orientation - from its especially personal performance to high, general civil.
Lomonosov's spiritual odes are filled with ecstasy, delight, harmony and splendor of the universe.
When presenting one of the most dramatic biblical books, The Book of Job, Lomonosov singled out its pious and ethical issues and brought to the fore a description of its truly reverent pictures of wildlife. And again, before us, the readers, there appears an immense sky painted with stars, a raging deep sea, a storm, an eagle abstractly soaring in the sky, a huge hippopotamus furiously trampling on raging thorns, and even mythical in its splendorLeviathan living at the bottom of the ocean.
Unlike laudable ones, the spiritual ode genre is distinguished by its laconicism and elegance of presentation. Stanzas, consisting of ten verses, are replaced here, as a rule, by quatrains with a ring or cross rhyme. The style of writing spiritual odes seems to be concise and devoid of all sorts of "decorations".
In closing
Ode was brought to our attention. What other genre can boast such wonderful lyrical content? Thanks to the variety of means of expression and ideological content used, the works of Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov to this day occupy a worthy place among the majestic creations of Russian poetry.
