BATTLE POETICS OF M. YU. LERMONTOV

Abstract

The subject of the research in this article is the battle motif in Lermontov's poetry. Special attention is paid to such significant examples of his battle lyrics as “Borodino” and “Valerik.” They are considered in terms of visualization of a verbal artistic image, the means of which is the engagement of painting and the creation of the effect of a sequential change of frames, which is a kind of prototype of the art of cinematography. Using the editing technique in reflecting reality, Lermontov creates an artistic whole in his poetic masterpieces from documented images of the place, time, opponents, scenes of the battle itself. By combining different image points, altering close-up and long-range views, creating a slow-motion effect, capturing separate frames, coloring techniques, animation, voicing, Lermontov achieves a tangible reality of military sketches in the verbal battle image he created. Lermontov's battle theme has ceased to be dissociated from military life itself, and the poet himself, being a direct participant in the events taking place, appears in it as an artist-witness and thinker at the same time. The innovation of Lermontov’s artistic system is revealed, associated with the creation of a documentary essay in poetic form, which endows the reader with the opportunity to objectively examine the military events in question. The article traces the evolution of the principles of creating an artistic image in the battle poetry of the late 18th — first third of the 19th centuries.