Analysis of Gumilyov’s poem “Captains”, summary

The article presents an analysis of Gumilyov’s poem "Captains". You will learn the content of each of its four parts, as well as what images, ideas, artistic features are inherent in each of them.

Before starting the analysis of Gumilev’s poem "Captains", we note that this is one of the most significant works of Nikolai Stepanovich. It fully reflects the nature of the poet. Nikolai Gumilev was a subtle romantic who dreamed of traveling. Unexplored open spaces and secrets associated with them have always attracted N. S. Gumilyov. It would be logical to begin the analysis of the poem "Captains" with the history of the creation of this cycle.

History of the cycle

The author managed to realize the dream of distant lands after the birth of this work. Nikolai Stepanovich (his portrait is presented above) made a research trip. However, when creating the cycle, in 1909, he was still full of dreams. It should be assumed that another factor that prompted Nikolai Gumilyov to create the "Captains" is that he was at that time in Koktebel, a coastal city located on the Crimean coast. Another Russian poet, Maximilian Voloshin, lived in this city , and Gumilyov went to visit him.

There is a version according to which the work was created in conjunction with a whole group of poets discussing each line. Nevertheless, according to the memoirs left by Alexei Tolstoy, Nikolai Gumilev locked himself in the room for several days in a row, working on “Captains,” and only then presented his verses to the court of friends. Apparently, a romantic mood, sea ​​air, old dreams - all this inspired Gumilyov to create the cycle that interests us.

Composition

The cycle included 4 works by N. Gumilyov. An analysis of the poem "Captains" allows us to note that they are connected by a common theme and the idea of ​​freedom. The works are combined with images and romantic pathos. As the analysis of Gumilev’s poem “Captains” shows, each of them is a certain part of the whole, devoted to a separate topic. We successively characterize each of them.

The first poem of the cycle

In the cycle, the first poem includes only 4 stanzas. The author achieves a clear rhythm with the help of a cross rhyme, incomplete (canes / bridge) and full (pearl / south). The size of this poem is anapaest. The general idea is conveyed to the reader through a consistent composition. And it consists in the fact that brave captains are not afraid of adversity, because their life is dedicated to sea adventures. The author creates using the characteristic vocabulary and epithets a collective image of these captains.

The collective image of the conquerors of the sea

The first work of the cycle we are interested in has become the hallmark of such an author as N. S. Gumilev. The poem "Captains" is interesting because the imagination of Nikolai Stepanovich created a romantic image of the conquerors of the sea. This is a picturesque, bright projection of the author’s ideas about the ideal of man, his contemporary. Nikolai Stepanovich is attracted by a distant star, her inviting flicker. The line of the retreating horizon attracts him. The lyrical hero seeks to escape from everyday civilization and home comfort. A fresh, pristine world promises the joy of discovery, adventure and the hoppy taste of victory.

An analysis of Gumilyov’s poem “Captains” (the first part) reveals the following: the lyrical hero of the work did not come to the world in order to be a dreamy contemplator. He longs to be a strong-willed participant in the life that is happening before his eyes. Reality for him consists of moments of overcoming, struggle, persecution, replacing each other.

Background of the first poem

Gumilev is captured by the poetry of this volitional impulse. He does not even notice how the plural within the complex sentence (“the captains lead”) changes to the singular (“who ... remembers ... or ... tears”). You may notice that this poem has a common “marine” background. The author creates it with conditionally romantic sweeping contrasts ("malström - shallow", "basalt - pearl", "polar - southern"). Exquisite subject details are presented in close-up. This, for example, “shreds of foam” with over the knee boots or “gold” from the cuffs.

We can say that the "Captains" are built as a description in the verses of the painting. A strong man, ascended over a crowd of extras and the elements, is in the center of the composition. The sea background was created by the author using standard techniques of marinistics (“wave crests”, “shreds of foam”, “hurricanes”, “rocks”).

The appearance of the captain

In the appearance of the captain himself, however, there is more deliberate dendism, the accessories of theatricality, than he will directly accept this risky profession. For example, it is impossible to find the slightest hint of the hardships of life, so relevant on the ship. As a pictorial decoration, we even perceive Gumilyov’s metonymy “sea salt”, which is on a par with “high jack boots”, a fashionable “cane” and decorative “lace”.

Second part of the cycle

The next, second part of the cycle also consists of 4 stanzas that are united by one idea. Gumilev in this part of the work introduces us to specific personalities. It presents to readers well-known captains: pirates, travelers, discoverers. These are people who cannot imagine their life without a ship and the sea. Nikolai Stepanovich also gives the names of specific historical figures.

As for the poetic size, this is also an anapest. There is a complete cross-rhyme, as well as a consistent composition. The lyrical hero of the work compares himself with the great captains. He imagines how these people felt, and hopes that one day he will also have the opportunity to experience something like this.

Third poem from the series "Captains"

We turn to the description of the third part of the cycle, which created Gumilyov ("Captains"). Analysis of the poem shows that it also consists of 4 stanzas, combined by the author in a sequential composition. Gumilev in this part speaks of captains not just as sea wanderers. Despite the fact that they are betrayed by the sea with all their souls, sometimes they are drawn to land, home.

The third poem is dedicated to a meeting with the motherland. Land gives sailors what they were deprived of during their wanderings. This is a game of dice and cards, pubs, women, attempts to find out the fate of a fortuneteller ... However, the "dope call" ceases after a while. Each sailor again recalls his real mission. And again for him the most important thing is the "captain's mouthpiece", calling for sailing. Thus, in the third poem, land is compared by the author with the sea. And on it you can find a lot of entertainment, but the soul of the captain still invariably asks at sea.

Final part

In the last, fourth part, tells about the legends that exist among sailors, Gumilyov ("Captains"). The analysis of the poem completes the general analysis of the cycle presented in the article. The author talks about how legends and stories attract sailors and inspire exploits. Like the previous ones, the final part consists of 4 stanzas. They are interconnected in meaning and united by a complete cross rhyme.

Flying Dutchman

The final poem of the cycle we are interested in is dedicated to sea riddles and legends. One of them is the story of the famous ghost ship Flying Dutchman. This is a symbol of death. He foreshadows the demise of anyone who sees this ghost in the sea. The author does not answer the question of where this ship came from. He does not explain what goals the Flying Dutchman pursues. Only one thing is obvious - the legend about this ship is perhaps the most creepy for every sailor. However, this makes her even more attractive. Nikolai Stepanovich, however, still gives his own interpretation of this myth. He notes that the Flying Dutchman shows people the way to the edge of the world. He leads to where the "terrible road" of the "captain with the face of Cain" lay. This way is only one way. However, those who dare to go all the way to it will learn the secrets of the universe. The price for this secret knowledge is life, according to Nikolai Gumilev ("Captains"). An analysis of the poem reveals the author’s conviction that in the life of each of these brave heroes there comes a time when he wants to meet the Flying Dutchman in the vast expanses of the sea. Very spectacular finale.

No wonder the students are asked to analyze the poem "Captains" Gumilyov according to plan. This work is very important for understanding the features of the poet. In addition, it is in itself very interesting, especially to young readers, many of whom, like the author, are attracted to distant lands and brave heroes.