V.A. Zhukovsky at the very beginning of his career was known as a talented translator. But in his workbooks, records were found dating from 1804-1805, in which evidence was found that the poet intended to write an elegy. These notes were about Zhukovsky’s poem “Evening,” an analysis of which is presented below.
Romantic poet
In the analysis of the poem "Evening" Zhukovsky can say a few words about the poet. Vasily Andreevich admired the poetry of German and English writers, translated his favorite works. In his poems, he tried to imitate the manner of romantic poets, but Zhukovsky did not decide to publish his works immediately.
Later, it was Vasily Andreevich who would be considered the founder of the trend of romanticism in Russia. His creativity in its elegance, vividness of images and beauty is not inferior to the works of poets, whose creativity he admired. The poem "Evening" Zhukovsky, an analysis of which is presented below, is an example of early romanticism.
Genre and literary direction
In the analysis of Zhukovsky’s poem "Evening" it should immediately be noted that it is an elegy. It reflects the poet’s personal experiences, his thoughts on the harmony between man and nature, the memories of the friends of youth, the admiration for the beauty of the world around him. The beauty of images, precisely selected metaphors and epithets - all this allows us to say that elegy is an example of landscape lyrics written in the spirit of early romanticism.
"Evening" can also be attributed to contemplative lyrics. Because the hero, standing on the banks of the stream, admires the beauty of his native shores, evening twilight, sunset. The poet was in harmony with the world around him, he felt happy and found beauty in everything.
About muse and loneliness
In the elegy, the poet appeals to the muse, asking her to condescend to him. In the analysis of Zhukovsky’s poem "Evening" it should be noted that for the hero the muse is a close friend. It is she who helps him to look at the world with admiration. The muse is a source of inspiration thanks to which the poet can sing in his poems what he admires.
But sadness is mixed with a feeling of delight and peace. In the analysis of Zhukovsky’s poem “Evening”, it is necessary to tell that the poet indulged in sad thoughts about his friends. Vasily Andreevich regretted that there were no relatives close by who could share this wonderful evening with him. At a time when his heart was filled with happiness and delight, he had no one to share them with. And then Zhukovsky feels his loneliness even more.
But at the same time, Vasily Andreevich understands that this, perhaps, is the destiny of the poet, singing the beauty of the world - to be alone. But this does not sadden him: after all, with him is his muse, which directs his talent and helps to create lyrical works of amazing beauty.
Evening is the most amazing time of day
In a brief analysis of the poem "Evening" Zhukovsky also worth explaining why the elegy describes precisely this time of day. Evening is the best time for philosophical reflection, dreams. All nature seemed to freeze, and this contemplation of the evening landscape sets in a philosophical and romantic mood.
Despite this, the bright colors of the day seem to fade, Zhukovsky sees this as his charm. The daily bustle is replaced by silence and calm. Even when the moon appears to replace the bright sun in the sky, it complements the beauty of the landscape. To give elegia greater aesthetics, the poet adds literary images (houses are “towers”, the plowman calls them “screaming”). At that time, readers still did not perceive everyday specifics, so Vasily Andreyevich tried to write an elegy using mythological images.
Artistic expressive means
In the analysis of the poem "Evening" by Zhukovsky according to the plan, there is a definition of the literary paths that the poet used when writing the elegy. This work is characterized by an elegant description of nature, which is achieved through the use of contemplatively sentimental epithets.
Elegies add musicality to sound recording techniques, which Zhukovsky increasingly resorts to in his work - these are onomatopoeic words, alliterations and assonances. Thanks to the laconic phrases, the poet made his creation easy to read and understand. Exclamation-interrogative intonation, anaphora, and appeal give the song melody and soulfulness to the lines.
Zhukovsky’s creation “Evening” is an elegy characterized by the unity of the lyrical hero and an enthusiastic description of the landscape. The lines of this poem are distinguished by a special cordiality and warmth, because the poet described the real beauties of the village of Mishensky. Vasily Andreevich was able to combine his personal experiences, emotions with the contemplation of the evening nature. Elegy "Evening", which gives a romantic description of the personality of the hero and the landscape, is one of the pearls of V. A. Zhukovsky.