Alexander Blok between Anitchkov and «Yevgeny Vasilievich»

Abstract

The article represents the comparative analysis of personal and creative mutual relations of A.A. Blok and E.V. Anitchkov. The research shows the formation of Anitchkov’s beliefs as a disciple and follower of A.N. Veselovsky. Anitchkov’s works are considered in the context of successive connection with aesthetic study and historiosophy of Vladimir Solovyov. It is revealed that in his works during the immigration period he paid close attention to the medieval eschatological contexts of this historiosophy and foremost “Christian mythology” and chiliastic doctrine of Joachim of Flora about the third age of the Holy Spirit. It is indicated that Anitchkov’s research subjects during the immigration period are similar to the several medieval plots of A. Blok’s drama “The Rose and the Cross”, which are attributed to the eschatological and Albigensian problematics. The conclusion is made that hermeneutic analysis of the symbolic meanings of the drama based on these works is productive. The hypothesis is substantiated that the late works that can be attributed to the Middle Ages in France represent Anitchkov’s scientific interests and a circle of personal beliefs, and he was A. Blok’s consultant on the Middle Ages in France while he was working on the drama “The Rose and the Cross”. The full text of extracts made form Anitchkov’s works by A. Blok that was saved in the Manuscript Division of the Institute of Russian Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences is represented for the first time in the appendix of the article with necessary comments.