The works of Nikolai Gogol introduce the reader to the mysterious world of a human being, his soul, in comic and tragic situations from the life of an individual person and an entire people. The characters of the writer are always harmonious - external features overlap with internal qualities. So it is shown in the outstanding work of the author "Taras Bulba", a story about the defenders of the earth and national character, about the glorious times of the Cossacks on the example of one person and his family. How does the appearance of Taras Bulba reflect the internal characteristics of the Cossack and how is it described in the story?
The character and appearance of the hero
A true Cossack is distinguished by courage and loyalty to camaraderie. The interests of the troops and powers are above their own happiness. That was Bulba Sr. — the head of the family and regiment. Gogol deliberately gave a few lines to the description of the hero's appearance. And all these qualities in one way or another indicate the character of the hero. So, statism, fatness indicate the position of Taras in the society of the Cossacks as a warrior, on which the army is equal, its authority. In addition, this is an indicator of the comfortable existence of his family (wife and two sons).
The age of Bulba is average. Has a large mustache and even posture - unequivocal signs of confidence, the pride of the hero, an example for others. The character of Taras is the character of a typical Cossack. He wears harem pants, holds well in the saddle and does not let out a pipe from his hands. Without these elements it is difficult to imagine the Cossack. This is precisely what Gogol emphasizes that Taras is primarily a Cossack, and, therefore, all Cossack attributes of appearance are characteristic of him.
A keen glance, a static figure, confident and accurate movements indicate his age and social status. Other external features are secondary to the internal content of the image of the hero.
Description of the appearance of Taras Bulba
Taras wears the usual clothes for the Cossack - wide harem pants, hat. Hairstyle - a classic Oseledets (forelock) of the Cossack. Bulba's character is reflected in his attitude to appearance. He does not tolerate excesses, does not see the point in embellishing his appearance, calling it "lordly manners." For example, the hero’s trousers are always dirty with tar.
Taras carried a saber, pistols, a wicked gun, and in the saddle he showed all his stamina and confidence. He kept himself on a horse and loved horse riding very much.
In general, a description of the appearance of Taras Bulba can be represented as follows: a man of middle (closer to advanced) years, of medium height, stocky, broad-shouldered, with muscular arms, full. The head is shaved, but there is a sedentary man who has turned gray over the years and from the difficulties endured. He does not wear a beard, but grows a mustache. There are many scars on the face and body (consequences of the battles). Dressed in the usual Cossack clothes, wears weapons, smokes a pipe and often rides a horse.
Appearance of Taras Bulba: quotes
How the hero looks can be judged by several descriptions, short and capacious. His strong, healthy body is described as "extremely heavy and thick," with a "healthy blush" on his face. The physical strength and majestic appearance of Taras Bulba is shown as “mighty shoulders”, “white-haired Cossack”, “strong arm”. Many quotes indicate the hero’s gray hair and his old age: “drooped gray head”, “silvered head” and others.
In each phrase of the work, Taras Bulba’s appearance is not so much seen as his character: “he proudly ran his hand over his mustache,” the scars make his appearance “imperious,” “his eyes gloomy,” “strong as an oak.”
The Cossacks themselves admit that there is no more valiant man than him in their army. The commander, he is merciless to enemies and wise in the circle of brothers. Activity, rigor and justice are read in the description of the courageous features of the face and camp of the hero.
Collective image
For readers, it becomes clear that it is not so important what Taras Bulba looked like. The most important thing is that personifies his image. Courage, unpretentiousness, devotion to the ideals of the army and civic duty are those qualities that can be considered for a superficial description of the appearance of the protagonist. Taras Bulba with his classic trousers, a sedentary, a powerful figure, a proud posture and a confident, bold look becomes a kind of ideal image of a Cossack.
Those few lines into which Gogol gathered a description of the appearance of Taras Bulba is enough to understand: a real defender does not need an expressive appearance. His essence is in valor and readiness to give his life for popular ideals. Brilliantly embodied the image of this cult character Bogdan Stupka in the film "Taras Bulba", shot in 2008 by Vladimir Bortko.