The works of M. Y. Lermontov in the religious and philosophical criticism of V. S. Solovyov, D. S. Merezhkovsky and V. V. Rozanov

Abstract

The article discusses literary and critical articles by representatives of religious and philosophical criticism dedicated to M. Y. Lermontov. The works are united not only by the subject of analysis and the commonality of methodology, but also by the internal controversy that unfolded against the background of increased interest in the personality and creativity of the poet at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. The author analyzes how the ethical work of V. S. Solovyov influenced his idea of Lermontov's "three demons", how the religion of the Third Testament of D. S. Merezhkovsky determined his search for Sophia, Eternal Femininity in Lermontov's work and how pantheism and anti-Christian sentiments of V. V. Rozanov were reflected in his analysis of the poet's God-fighting and demonic motives. The main conclusions of the study are the following: each of the three interpretations is based on the philosophical beliefs of each of the critics. All three are united by the desire to actualize Lermontov's work in the context of his modern era, moreover, they all view Lermontov's personality and work from neo-Christian positions. V. S. Solovyov interprets Lermontov negatively, due to the fact that he sees in him the ancestor of Nietzscheanism, which spread at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, including in Russia. Merezhkovsky, on the contrary, sees Lermontov as a model for inspiration when creating a renewed, "improved" Church of the Third Testament – with attention to the issue of gender, to the ontological equivalence of Good and Evil. Rozanov also assesses Lermontov positively from the point of view of the need to turn to the pagan-Jewish foundations of religion, as opposed to traditional Christianity.