The image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature is quite popular. This is due to the fact that the personality of the prince is a link in the historical chain that determined the development of an entire state on the world stage.
For many Russian people, Nevsky is a hero whose feat in front of his homeland is unlikely to be discounted or forgotten. Therefore, the image of Alexander Nevsky in culture and literature will never sink into oblivion. His personality illuminates the life path of youth, fills our hearts with pride in our native land, and his courage is an example of Russian fortitude!
The biography of the commander
Since our conversation with you touched on the image of Alexander Nevsky in culture and literature, some information about this outstanding person should be clarified.
Nevsky Alexander Yaroslavich was born in May 1221 in the city of Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. He died at the age of 42 on November 14, 1263 in Gorodets. During his short life he managed to visit the Prince of Novgorod, Kiev and Vladimir.
Alexander was not the first-born, he was born the second son in the family of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. Sons took princely tonsure. This rite meant initiation into warriors, it happened in Pereyaslavl in the Transfiguration Cathedral. The rite was conducted by St. Suzdal Simon.
Under his father’s banner in 1234, Alexander first went on a campaign to Derpt.
Activities of the young prince
Independent reign of Nevsky began in 1236. The time was turbulent, as the Novgorod lands were in a state of hostility with neighbors (Mongols, the Teutonic Order). And in 1238 Novgorod launched an offensive operation.
Alexander orders the construction of fortifications in the south-west of Novgorod. In 1240, the Swedes headed for Novgorod. On the night of July 15, Alexander and the Ladogaites took the Swedish king Birger and his army by surprise, inflicting a complete defeat. It was a battle that was later called the Battle of Neva. That night, Alexander fought in the forefront and personally took the life of the Swedish “stole” Birger. Victory in this battle demonstrated the tactics, strength and talent of Alexander.
Events on the basis of which the film was shot in the twentieth century
The image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature and cinema was captured thanks to the sad historical events on Russian soil. The film "Alexander Nevsky" by Sergei Eisenstein tells the story of how capricious Novgorod citizens quarreled with Alexander. He left them, reigning in his father's Pereyaslav-Zalessky. But the enemy did not doze off and used these events for his own purposes. Livonian Germans besieged the city of Pskov, it could not do without city traitors who contributed to the Germans. Pskov land was taxed. Caravans of merchants mercilessly robbed enemies. Novgorodians are afraid and panicked, they sent several times to Yaroslav for Alexander. For the first time, the father-prince sent his youngest son Andrei to fight the Germans. Novgorodians still asked to give them Alexander. So in 1241, nevertheless, Nevsky illuminated the land of Novgorod with his presence. He cleared the land of the enemy and headed to Pskov, Peipsi land - the nest of the Order.
Continuation of historical events and paintings of Eisenstein
On April 5, 1242, a battle took place called the Battle of the Ice on the border with the Order of Livon on Lake Peipsi. The exact course of the event remains unknown, but researchers in Livonian and Russian chronicles were able to come to a unified view and build the events of that time. But there are some differences. The German records describe how the Russians surrounded the knights, and the Novgorod annals say that our soldiers drove the Livonians seven miles on ice. It has been testified that the Germans lost about half a thousand fighters, another 50 were captured and were brought to Novgorod by hands.
Thanks to Eisenstein’s film, the image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature and cinema is captured more than realistically and courageously.
Another victory
Three years later, the Lithuanians attacked the Novgorod lands under the leadership of Prince Mindovg. Prince Alexander is immediately sent to the invaders. The Lithuanians, having received news of the Nevsky offensive, rushed to flee with the loot from his possessions. Our brave prince caught up with the wicked and defeated them in a battle near Lake Zhiztsa.
So why is the image of Alexander Nevsky in literature and art so faithfully honored? Yes, because the protection of Russia under his wing for six years led to the fact that the Germans abandoned their last conquests, and also transferred part of the land of Latgale to the Novgorodians.
The second life of the image of Prince Nevsky
A talented commander, a brilliant diplomat and a competent politician - all these words about Alexander Nevsky. All these words are confirmed by his victories in the struggle against the Germans. Such an image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature could not go unnoticed in the period 1941-1945, when the Soviet people defended their lands in the struggle against fascist Germany.
The artist P. D. Korin painted the painting “Alexander Nevsky” in the midst of the terrible Great Patriotic War, in these years a similar heroic image of a warrior with the Germans was especially in demand.
The image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature and cinema is brief
Cinematography is one of the most important types of art, which in a special way honors and preserves the image of Prince Nevsky. In 1938, the people of the Soviet Union in cinemas saw the film "Alexander Nevsky", shot by director Sergei Eisenstein. Today, this picture is considered a classic of the cinema of the 1930s.
This film was released twice. What do you think, in what year was he shown in the cinema for the second time? Yes, it was in 1941, when the Germans attacked the Soviet Union. The government of the USSR made a bet that watching the film would raise the morale of Soviet soldiers. And it did not fail! In these years, the film was even more successful than in the first rental years.
In 1991, director Georgy Kuznetsov makes the film "The Life of Alexander Nevsky," where Anatoly Gorgul starred in the role of prince.
After 17 years, the film “Alexander. Battle of Neva ”, shot by Igor Kalenov, and the main role was played by Anton Pampushny.
The image of St. Alexander Nevsky in culture and literature, as well as in this film is significant. After all, our prince is shown in a heroic image, which sincerely defended his lands and his beloved people!
The image of the prince and philologists are honored. He was praised by many poets and writers in their works. The very first mention of Alexander in literature is recorded by a contemporary. Literary scholars attribute the text “The Life of Alexander Nevsky” to historical monuments of the era of Ancient Russia. In the work, the author talks about the great feats of the prince, his courage and courage.
Conclusion
So, the image of Alexander Nevsky in Russian literature, cinema, history, religion, architecture, painting and other arts is firmly fixed and is one of the main ones. It is very difficult to overestimate the activities of Prince Nevsky, although some historians are trying to do this, more than once attempts have been made to "dig" under his personality, but to this day they have not been crowned with success, and in 2008 the personality of the saint won in the television competition "Name of Russia" Prince Alexander Nevsky.