Artistic features of the comedy “The Handsome Man” by Alexander Ostrovsky

Abstract

The article analyses the plot and genre features of the comedy “The Handsome Man” by Alexander Ostrovsky. In particular, such features of comedy as a comic contradiction, a prosperous denouement, typification of heroes and such qualities of vaudeville as the rapid development of action, the motif of a joke, as well as of a deception, are highlighted. The special vaudeville character of the intrigue is emphasised, it is also occupied with dynamism – the heroes change masks, deceive, pretend. It is noted that the psychological complexity of the characters, the main conflict, characterised by depth and sharpness, bring the play closer to the genre of drama. The study uses materials from letters of drama, memories of it, as well as critical reviews of the play “The Handsome Man” – the presence of harsh, often contradictory assessments testifies to the topicality of the comedy. and values. Particular attention is paid to the image of the protagonist, Apollon Okoyomov, who belongs to the “handsome” type, certainly in many respects corresponding to the late-19th-century environment and era. It is concluded that in the play “The Handsome Man” by Alexander Ostrovsky organically combined comic and dramatic elements: this gives her brightness, dynamism, artistic persuasiveness.