Epic Hero Research Articles

Метод погружения в эпическую ситуацию как средство формирования и коррекции ценностной ориентации подростков

Russian heroic folk sagas (byliny) have been a central element of Folk Education as a distinct genre of folklore that actively shaped and refined the listener’s value system, influencing their perception of the world and their moral compass. The folk epic storytelling was a multifaceted cultural practice, incorporating pedagogical and psychotherapeutic functions.This practice promoted Christian teachings, instilled social norms, fostered a sense of national pride, emphasized the importance of family and tradition, and encouraged care for the less fortunate, including widows, orphans, and the impoverished. Based on an entertaining form of students’ acquaintance with important events of Russian history, heroes and traditions, an epic situation immersion method confronts the task of moral choice, which they solve together with the epic heroes. This method contributes to students’ cognitive abilities, imaginative development, moral character, and appreciation for their country and ancestors.

МАГИЧЕСКОЕ ОРУЖИЕ ГЕРОЕВ ЭПОСА «НАРТЫ»

The article examines the archaic cult of the god of iron and the patron saint of metal Tlepsh, the emergence of metallurgy, the creation of the first weapons and armor made of metal, which are reflected in the Adyghe heroic epic Narts. The relevance of the article is due to the fact that the heroic epic Narts is almost not considered in the scientific literature as a source of information for the study of objects and tools, the creation of the first weapon, the addition of a complex of weapons and armor of horsemen. The purpose of the study is to compare the weapons of the heroes of the Nart epic, endowed with magical properties, having certain qualitative characteristics, technological features of manufacture, with the materials of archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus. To achieve these goals, a comparative historical research method was used to determine the features of the origin and composition of various types of offensive and defensive weapons, reflecting the stages of development of blacksmithing and weapons production in a historical context. The transformation of the Chthonic «fire» god into the patron saint of iron and blacksmithing of the nart Tlepsha translates in the legends of the Nart epic the historical and economic prerequisites for the origin of metalworking in the Early Iron Age, the creation of the first tools and weapons of the sleds, which became models for creating the best defensive and offensive weapons in Eurasia. The archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus confirm the continuous development of metallurgy and metalworking since ancient times and the creation of highly artistic bronze, gold, and silver products. The initiated research on this topic has a long–term perspective and requires continued work on the study of the original texts of the Adyghe heroic epic «Narts» for comparison with archaeological artifacts found in the Northwestern Caucasus.

Plot-Motivational Parallels in Heroic Epics of Yakuts, Karachays, and Balkars: Trials of Epic Hero

This article explores the plot and motivational parallels present in the heroic epics of the Karachay-Balkar and Yakut traditions. It focuses on a central theme that is vital to the genre: the trials faced by the epic hero. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the unique features of overlapping plot motifs within these two Turkic narrative traditions, thereby illuminating their thematic and poetic characteristics. The research draws on a representative corpus of heroic epic recordings from the Yakuts, Karachays, and Balkars, collected throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as narratives from other Turkic and Mongolicspeaking communities. Despite the significant geographical and temporal distances between these traditions, the analysis reveals a noteworthy number of coinciding plot situations and motifs. This study delves into the nuances of their representation and variation, tracing potential folkloric connections and origins. Particular attention is given to specific plots, such as “shooting at a distant celestial object,” “the hero’s temptation by a group of antagonists,” and “the stone that crumbles beneath the feet of the true hero.” The textual analysis concludes that there is a remarkable similarity in the concept of the epic hero across these traditions, alongside a rich variety of plots and motifs that likely trace back to a common source in Central Asia.

“СЕЙТЕК” ЭПОСУНДАГЫ МИФТИК-ЭПИКАЛЫК ОБРАЗДАР

The article is dedicated to the exploration of the mythical and epic images in the epic “Seytek,” which is the final chapter of the “Manas” trilogy. This epic is the most extensive and artistically refined piece of folk epic heritage. The Kyrgyz people can rightfully be proud of the richness and diversity of their oral poetic traditions. The epic “Seytek” is composed of a collection of mythological and epic images, including characters and narratives from various folklore traditions, such as those of the Scandinavians, Central European peoples, and others spanning from the west to the east and from the north to the south. It incorporates elements starting from ancient Greek folklore and extending across the literature of various cultures, containing valuable information about mythical and epic figures. The scientific article specifically notes that the Kyrgyz people are rich in heroic epics. The role of mythology in the development of world literature is invaluable. It is clear that the mysteries of natural phenomena and various amazing forces invented by people are best described in epic works. It is worth especially noting that the epics introduce the reader to the concept of the ideal, the way of life of the ancestors and create the opportunity to appreciate them.

Russian World in Yakut Heroic Epic Olonkho

This article evaluates the impact of Russian culture on the Yakut epic, Olonkho. The emergence and evolution of the Russian character in Olonkho are analyzed. Texts from various local traditions and time periods of Olonkho serve as the research material. The study employs a historical poetics approach, showcasing the evolution and changes in the portrayal of the Russian character in Yakut epic texts, considering the territorial and temporal differences in the texts and the individual characteristics of storytellers. It is determined that the semantics of this character transform from “foreign” to “native”. The Russian character in Yakut heroic epic texts initially appears through epic formulas, comparisons, and epithets, manifesting foreignness and alienation. Subsequently, the Russian individual becomes a character participating in the Olonkho plot. A transition from “foreign” to “different,” “other” is observed: intermediary zones (the meeting place of heaven and earth, forests, mountains) start resembling objects belonging to Russians. When Russian material culture aligned with the life and customs of the Yakuts, objects adopted from Russians began resembling parts of the main hero’s (bogatyr) body, vividly demonstrating the incorporation of the Russian character into the category of “ours.” References to certain realities of Orthodox Christianity are also made in Olonkho. Images of Baba Yaga, Zmey Gorynych, the forest spirit, motifs of path selection are borrowed from Russian fairy tales and myths. Russian names, names of Russian cities and places, among others, are mentioned.

DÁSTANLARDA BATİRLAR TUWİLǴANNAN KEYINGI XALİQLİQ TÚSINIKLER

In the article, the author provides information about folk ideas after the birth of heroes in epics. In most Karakalpak folk heroic epics, rituals performed after the birth of a child acquire a vital character. That is, more attention is paid to such rituals as circumcision, circumcision, choice of name, wedding, in order to reveal the image of the future hero. This indicates that the roots of the Karakalpak folk epic are associated with ancient times.

Classicist Development of FATHER-SON Topos in “The Adventures of Telemachus” by Fénelon

This article analyzes the “father-son” topos in “The Adventures of Telemachus” by Fénelon in relation to the cultural-historical situation and philosophical-aesthetic achievements of the 17th century. It explores the complex interactions of mythological motifs and the results of their individual-authorial artistic embodiment in Fénelon’s novel. The basis for understanding the “father-son” topos in a new anthropological paradigm is revealed, focusing on the image of the evolving individual capable of justifying the historical possibility of a more rational social structure. The influence of the philosophical and ethical situation of the era on the interpretive characteristics of the topos in the novel is determined. The evolution of the traditional archaic image of the epic hero is traced with a shift in roles. It is argued that the novel depicts not only traditional mythological tests of strength but also new “psychological” tests arising from changes in the philosophical-ethical situation: loneliness, love, power. The study’s novelty lies in identifying the author’s ideological stance shaping the topos “the ruler’s love for his people as for a son.” The research confirms the thesis of the determining influence of worldview attitudes of the era and cultural coordinates on the historical fate of the topos as a literary phenomenon.

ИДЕАЛЫ МУЖЧИН-БАТЫРОВ (ЭПОСЫ «УРАЛ-БАТЫР» И ОЛОНХО «НЮРГУН БООТУР СТРЕМИТЕЛЬНЫЙ»): ТИПОЛОГИЯ И ОСОБЕННОСТИ

The article analyzes the images of two main characters from the epic Ural-batyr and the olonkho Nurgun Bootur the Swift by Platon Oyunsky, which are based on ancient mythological ideas of people about life, about the world around them, ideas about the struggle between good and evil, etc. A comparative study of the following plots in the epics is carried out: the birth of boys; the upbringing of adolescents; the actions of the main characters, etc. The aspect of behavioral stereotypes of batyrs in three worlds, the features of service for the benefit of unity, freedom and happiness of the people are studied. The relevance of this study lies in the fact that the study of the behavior and actions of the main characters allows us to identify their common features, and for the first time a comparative typological analysis of two epic heroes of the Bashkir and Yakut epics is made. The scientific novelty of the study consists in an attempt to artistically comprehend the features of the images of the main heroes of the olonkho Nurgun Bootur the Swift by Platon Oyunsky and the epic Ural-batyr. Particular attention is paid to the methods and techniques by which the image of the main hero is created. The purpose of the study is to identify the ideological and artistic features and the typology of differences in the images of Batyrs from the main epic monuments Ural-batyr and Nurgun Bootur the Swift by Platon Oyunsky. The main task necessary to achieve this goal is to conduct a comparative analysis of the images of batyrs in the epics of two Turkic peoples. A comprehensive study of artistic images allows us to reveal the actions of the heroes, which have spiritual and educational significance. The study revealed that the images of the Yakut and Bashkir epics have a number of similarities and differences due to the peculiarities of the worldview, mythological ideas and views of the peoples. The common idea is that men serve goodness and justice.

History and myth in Leonid Yuzefovich’s novel “Philhelle”

The article analyzes L. Yuzefovich’s novel “Philhellene” from the point of view of its historical and mythological (mythopoetic) codes’ functions. The purpose of the work is to identify historical and mythological encodings in the novel, using descriptive and mythopoetic research methods. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the type of hero, the character system, as well as the identification of the novel chronotope and the justification of its genre characteristics. We argue that L. Yuzefovich’s novel is not a historical novel in the generally accepted sense. Although “Philhellene” has the necessary markers of the historical novel genre, L. Yuzefovich, through the category that we call “duality”, rises to the level of the symbolic generalization characteristic of myth. In his authorial myth, history, mythologized history, mythology, epic and legend coexist in one space, determining the originality of the novel world of “Philhellene”. We analyze the image of the main character, Mostsepanov who reveals a clear similarity with the image of the epic hero. In his wanderings, a mythopoetic chronotope is embodied through the prism of L. Yuzefovich’s authorial myth. The article states that L. Yuzefovich sees Greece’s path to prosperity through the merging of two related national identities – Russian and Greek – so Mostsepanov becomes the embodiment of this synthesis. As a result of the above statements, “Philhellene” can be characterized as a historical-mythological novel with a predominance of the mythological code.

THE TRANSHISTORICAL MEANINGS OF UKRAINIAN TRADITION IN THE GUIDELINES OF MODERN NATIONAL PATRIOTIC EDUCATION

The article is devoted to the analysis of the historical foundations and theoretical foundations of the formation of effective foundations of modern national-patriotic education in the contexts of war and peace. Particular attention is paid to revealing the internal dialectic and tragedy of the self-assertion of the Ukrainian idea during the times of enslavement and colonization. The article proves that even when the Ukrainian intelligentsia, trying to balance between East and West, could not decide on national priorities, dividing Ukraine between Muscovites and the Polish nobility, the leading role of preserving and transmitting national meanings was assigned to folk art, which even through the ages has preserved its creative potential and the power of initiative. It has been proven that heroic epics contain experiences of cultural and social traumas, as well as deep philosophical reflections on the strength of the national character, the ability to sacrifice for the sake of the Motherland. The author hopes that this will allow not only to find out the actual significance of the historical-cultural component in the strategies of national-patriotic education, but also to carry out a methodological procedure for distinguishing effective and appellate patriotism on a practical level, which will allow developing a comprehensive program of actualizing the transhistorical meanings of national-patriotic education and military-patriotic education in modern educational practices. Undoubtedly, the use of the heuristic potential of the national tradition as a guide for the development of the theoretical and methodological foundations of patriotic education requires a critical reflection of the experience of their theoretical understanding in the problematic field of the philosophy of education and philosophical anthropology. This will make it possible to identify pathologies and minimize the risks of resuscitation of totalitarian practices in the education of patriots. The identified features and specifics of the implementation of national-patriotic education in wartime will allow the transition from the policy of duty to the policy of responsibility. It is noted that an important role is played by the actualization of the semantics of heroization, militarization and the formation of a positive topos of a serviceman.

Exploring the Eternal Spirit in the Multiple Identities of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is the world's first heroic epic. It is about 3000 lines long in total. The epic tells the story of Gilgamesh's life as a man, a god, a hero, and a king. He has multiple identities, therefore, he is inevitably possessed of a heavy sense of responsibility and mission. This paper combines humanities texts analysis to analyse the topic. The research question is to explore the eternal spirit of Gilgamesh in his four identities. Through analysis, this paper demonstrates the power of a consistent spirit under different identities, both human and God, that is, freedom and courage. Such spirits represents the common will of mankind and God. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the fate of man is determined by the gods. Everyone will experience the same death fate. Nevertheless, the spirit of freedom and courage in Gilgamesh helps him many times to overcome the fear of death, to cross the distance of space and to fight against his fate. Freedom and courage help you protect your basic rights as human beings. Freedom and courage are the paths to truth without being constrained by anything, including fate.

Comparison of character nominations as a reflection of the national worldview (based on the texts of heroic epics “Jangar” and “Beowulf”)

Language nomination is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon closely related to human worldview, which plays an important role in language. It reflects the national worldview. Based on two epic works - the Kalmyk heroic epic “Jangar” and the Old English epic “Beowulf”, this study concerns the naming of characters who reflect the national worldview. The main goal of the study is to identify similarities and differences between the national worldviews of these two peoples through the comparison and analysis of the characters’ names in these two epics, belonging to different cultures, taking into account their common features and differences, as well as the cultural values underlying them. To this end, the research required the use of various methodologies, such as the comparative, interpretative, word-formation, descriptive and etymological approaches. The results of the study showed that both cultures have similar and different nominations of characters, which reflect their cultural values. The characters in the epic “Jangar” can be named using colors, body parts, animals and the names of their ancestors; more-over, in Kalmyk culture horses hold an important place and have their own names. In “Beowulf”, unique naming styles are also used, including weapon names, animal names and names of paternal ancestors. The Old English language employs a special naming technique known as kenning. Additionally, the sword holds a high status in Anglo-Saxon culture and has its own name.

Genesis of Poetry and Heroic Epic

The article conducts a scientific analysis of the origin of poetry. On this issue, scientific examinations of opinions were carried out in works published at different times, and general patterns of the emergence of art as a whole were analyzed. Based on the research of scientists, an analysis is carried out of the manifestation of everyday needs and fantasies of man in the early era, which were prerequisites for the birth and formation of arts, including poetry. It is scientifically postulated that collective labor actions during primitive community construction, superstitions committed during the departure of hunters as a result of strong fear from the mysterious forces of nature, actions during the period of expulsion of harmful dark forces caused the rhythm of dance and melody. It is concluded that over time, these rhythms and melodies gave rise to initial samples of poetry. The genesis of the Kazakh heroic epic is associated with the emergence of poems. Poems of praise to hunters, forms of poetry reflecting heroic campaigns, served as the basis for the birth of epic. An analysis of works related to personalities who created early poetic samples and a heroic epic was carried out. In Kazakh folklore, conclusions related to the history of the emergence and formation of types of shaman (bucks) and storyteller (zhyrau) are differentiated. The attitude of bucks and zhyrau to the formation and development of the heroic epic is comprehensively analyzed and generalized scientifically.

The significance of wine and the vine in the odyssey, suggestions for new technologies and experiential teaching approaches

The following study tries to present the multidimensional culture and importance of wine, analyzing examples from the Odyssey as one of the greatest heroic epics of antiquity. Through his epics, Homer deals with important values such as faith, a person's love for the country, as well as the power to overcome difficulties. However, the institution that seems to be of utmost importance, especially in the Odyssey, is that of “filoxenia” (hospitality), since the words “xenos” (foreigner) and "filoxenia” (hospitality) had great value in antiquity. All of the above is highlighted through the events and adventures that take place, with wine having an important place in terms of the development of the plot of the Homeric epic. Education is one of the areas, where New Technologies can be applied, and, therefore, have brought a variety of changes, perspectives and possibilities, both in teaching and learning. Similar efforts have been made to teach the "Odyssey" in schools, as well as use experiential approaches to attract adult cultural tourists.

ЭВФЕМИЗМЫ СО ЗНАЧЕНИЯМИ ‘УМИРАТЬ’ И ‘УБИВАТЬ’ В ТЕКСТАХ ХАКАССКИХ ГЕРОИЧЕСКИХ ЭПОСОВ «АЛТЫН-АРЫГ» И «АЙ-ХУУЧИН»

The heroic epics of the Turkic peoples in Siberia are the brightest achievement of their authentic culture. Due to the processes of urbanization, the diverging from the traditional way of life that are actively taking place in the Republic of Khakassia today, the mass bilingualism among the native speakers of the Khakas language, the switch to Russian by the Khakas younger generation, the loss of traditions in intergenerational transmission of folklore works, especially heroic epic, it is very important to study the linguistic features of Khakas folklore. The purpose of the article is to describe the features of semantic models of verbal euphemisms with meanings ‘to die’ and ‘to kill’, presented in Khakas heroic epics Altyn-Aryg and Ai-Khuuchin. Nominative units with similar meanings have not been previously studied in Khakas language and folklore studies. To achieve this goal, the method of contextual analysis, component analysis, and word formation analysis were used. Phrases with euphemistic verbal nominations, included in thematic group ‘death’ were identified with the help of the method of contextual analysis. Using the method of component analysis, the presence of seme ‘death as cessation of vital activity’ was confirmed in the verb semes. By word-formation analysis, models of the formation of euphemisms with meanings ‘to die’ (8 models) and ‘to kill’ (5 models) were established. The notion “to die” is conveyed by euphemisms formed according to such semantic models as “to lie down > to die”; “to fall down > to die”; “to cross > to die”; “to pass over > to die”; “to break off > to die”; “to transform > to die”; “to part > to die”; “to break (about a saddle pommel) > to die”. The notion “to kill” in the analyzed texts is conveyed through euphemisms formed using semantic models “to make somebody lie down > to kill”, “to make somebody cross > to kill”, “to drop > to kill”, “to tear > to kill”, “to eat > to kill”. Most of euphemisms are formed by metaphorical transfer; one semantic model is based on metonymic transfer (“to break (about a saddle pommel) > to die”). The analyzed units reflect archaism of the ideas reflected in them about death as a transition to the world of the dead, as the result of the interruption of a thread–like substance – a soul ‘tyn’, as the transformation of the external appearance (khubul- literary ‘to change', ‘to transform'), as the parting with the light world ‘akh charykh’

МОТИВ ЖЕНИТЬБЫ БОГАТЫРЕЙ В ЭПИЧЕСКОЙ ТРАДИЦИИ ТЮРКОЯЗЫЧНЫХ НАРОДОВ

This article examines the motive of marriage in the heroic epics of the Turkic-speaking peoples with a special focus on the plot basis and compositional structure of the motif within the framework of the epics version, which is common to a number of Turkic ethnic groups. The novelty of the results obtained lies in the fact that we systematically investigated the issues of the place of the motive of marriage in the epic works of the Turkic-speaking peoples, the function performed by it, the internal plot and compositional structure of this motif in the evolutionary development of the general plot, issues of poetization, the presence of echoes. The purpose and tasks of the study are to analyze the prerequisites for the emergence of the motive of the hero's marriage in the epic tradition of the Turkic-speaking peoples, the use of various customs in it, to carry out a comparative analysis of the problems of plot and composition in the motive of marriage, the use of artistic means. In our work we used comparative typological, genealogical, problem-themed, historical and literary methods. Methods of analysis and synthesis are also used. As a result of the research, it was revealed that since ancient times our ancestors solved all the difficulties and hardships of nomadic existence, relying on the deep content of the national cultural heritage filled with nomadic philosophy, because it was in it that the traditions and customs of our people, the strength of their mind, the postulates of spiritual and moral behavior were enclosed. At the very core of folk customs and traditions are the problems of creating a family, choosing spouses, and getting married. The presence of mixed ancient religious concepts in the motive of marriage is also determined, the fact that these concepts complement each other to a certain extent indicates a rather significant parallelism in the prerequisites for the emergence and methods of poetization in the motive of marriage in the epic works of the Turkic-speaking peoples. The study found that the indigenous genetic affinity of the Turkic-speaking peoples is observed in the community of poetic artistic means. In addition, the semantic and symbolic aspects of the motive of marriage in the context of the epic tradition and the historical development of society were investigated and determined.

Ideas of Statecraft in Philip Sidney’s <i>The Defense of Poesy</i>

Philip Sidney was a famous courtier, soldier, poet and patron in Elizabethan England. As the best work of literary criticism in the English Renaissance, Sidney’s <i>The Defense of Poesy</i> not only contains rich poetic, philosophical and aesthetic values, but also permeates with comments and suggestions on current politics, implying advanced ideas of statecraft. Studying <i>The Defense of Poesy</i> in the context of social, political and cultural anxiety in England in the late 1570s and early 1580s, this article attempts to reveal Sidney’s creative motive and governing ideology. The adherence to ethical values shows his belief in “building the state with political virtue”; the praise of the heroic epic reveals the determination to “protect the state with military force”; the prospect of national poetics presents the vision of “strengthening the state with national culture”. Sidney reinterpreted the function of poetry and the responsibility of poets at the time of national crisis. Discussing politics in the name of poetry, Sidney expressed his efforts to create a political poetics aiming to serve the state, and demonstrated the beautiful political vision of building a “golden world” of heroic, solidary, independent, and united England. Throughout his life, Sidney turned the ideas of statecraft into an act of serving the country. After his early death in battle, he was hailed as the cultural icon and national hero of England.

БАТЫР В КАЗАХСКОМ ЭПОСЕ КАК АРХЕТИП ГЕРОЯ: ТЕОРИИ А. МАРГУЛАНА И СОВРЕМЕННЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЕЙ

The article deals with the image of a hero in the Kazakh heroic epic in the works of academician Alkey Margulan from the point of view of the theory of archetypes. We have established forms of representation of the cultural archetype "batyr" as an element of the Kazakh cultural unconscious, influencing the modern patterns of Kazakh behavior. Modern researchers say that the archetypal nature of batyrs in the Kazakh culture of nomads is expressed in the existence of a social institution of batyrs, which has developed over many centuries of the existence of the Turks

Gaps of Kinship in the Yakut Heroic Epic Olonkho

Abstract This research considers issues of interaction between language and culture; it studies the phenomenon of lacunarity in general, as well as identifying lexical gaps in olonkho texts and ways of eliminating them in translation. Here, we investigate the need for more in-depth study of the translation of works of art in which a culture-specific component has a high degree of presence; the importance of studying the lacuna phenomenon as one of the main factors influencing translation, and, in turn, the need to study to the misunderstanding of a text by a foreign reader. The problem of translating culturally related phenomena necessitates a description of their origins and development, and attention to notions of linguistic worldview and linguistic universals regarding culture-specific vocabulary, including lexical gaps.

THE MADNESS OF TWO HEROES: HERACLES AND MARKO KRALJEVIĆ

The motif of insanity was quite frequent in Ancient Greek Literature. In turns, it was viewed as obsession, illness, or just and justified punishment. Insanity always brought some kind of self-inspection and self-cognition. Heracles is an ancient hero who committed a crime against his closest relatives in a state of severe madness. The Serbian epic hero Marko Kraljević shared a similar fate. The authors of the paper will investigate the motives of insanity of both heroes in two different, but traditionally close cultures: Greek and South Slavic. The motif of heroic madness is explored in tragedies related to Heracles, and in Serbian epic poetry known as the epic cycle of Marko Kraljević.