The name of the creator of âThe Tale of Igorâs Regimentâ is currently unknown, and his heroic poem still lives and is deservedly included in the treasury of world literature.
The events described in the poem "The Word of Igor's Campaign"
In the poem "The Word of Igor's Campaign" tells of the campaign of Prince Igor against the Polovtsy, Polovtsy. The poem describes two battles that took place in May 1185.
The first battle is easy for the Russians, and they defeat the Polovtsians. The second battle was very difficult, since the superior Polovtsian army was fighting against a small Russian army. The battle lasted three days and ended in defeat for the Russians. Almost the entire army was killed, and only fifteen soldiers managed to survive.
And for the first time in many years, Russian princes find themselves captive, among them Vsevolod, seriously wounded. Having defeated Igor, the Polovtsy again begin raids on Russian lands, capture and besiege several cities. After a successful escape from captivity, Igor returns home. After some time, Vsevolod returned to his homeland.
The reasons for the campaign of Igor and Vsevolod
To understand the reason that prompted the Russian army to go on a campaign, one must know about the very peculiar relations between the Russians and the Polovtsy. The Russian princes were related to the Polovtsian khans, marrying the khan's daughters. Some Russian princes in the war with neighboring principalities called the Polovtsy as allies. In the early stages of his reign, Igor in the union of the Polovtsy ruined the Russian cities.
But then Igor realized how detrimental the behavior of the princes was for Russia, and decided to atone for his guilt. In 1183 and 1184, the joint forces of the Russian princes defeated the Polovtsi. Igor could not take part in these events, as he was late. Igor was worried that he could not prove his allegiance to the union of Russian princes against the Polovtsy, therefore, with the support of his younger brother Vsevolod, he, together with his son Vladimir and his nephew, went on a campaign.
Characteristic of Vsevolod in the "Word on Igor's Regiment"
Prince Vsevolod in âThe Tale of Igor's Campaignâ - Igorâs blood brother is one of the main characters of the poem.
The first part of the poem begins with a meeting of the brothers and the news that the squad of Vsevolod is ready for the campaign. It is not difficult to understand the reason that made him support his brother on this campaign: the voice of blood, respect for the elder and the decision he made. For him, Igor is a "stronghold", a defender, equal in status to his father.
He loves his brother, is proud of him, is ready at the first call to respond to his call. With Igor he is bound not only by blood, but also by a military fraternity. Reporting on the readiness of his troops for the campaign, Vsevolod proudly says that the âglorious Kurskâ âgood knightsâ are experienced warriors who know âall the wayâ, that the horses are already under the saddle, and the weapons are ready for battle. The citation data of Vsevolod from âWords about Igor's Regimentâ is a characteristic of Vsevolod as a good military leader.
The author describes the first battle and victory very briefly, but the battle that happened the next morning is described very vividly and expressively.
In the battle with the Polovtsian army, enormous in number, Russian soldiers show miracles of courage and courage. The author pays special attention to Vsevolod, calls it "glorious yar tour Vsevolod", "buoy tour". Buoy tour - this is the most striking characteristic of Vsevolod in "The Word of Igor's Regiment", because in Russia they called the most brave and strong warriors. Like a real hero, Vsevolod fights, in the excitement of battle without feeling wounds, sparing neither his life nor the lives of his enemies, he rushes like a thunderstorm across the battlefield, sparkling with a golden helmet, and where he gallops, Polovtsian heads remain there.
The battle is his element, in the heat of battle he forgets about his stepfather, about his beautiful wife. Behavior during the battle is a characteristic of Vsevolod in âThe Tale of Igorâs Regimentâ as a powerful, fearless warrior, the author admires him, is proud of his military skill, admires strength and courage.
The authorâs attitude to Igorâs campaign
Admiring the courage of Igor, Vsevolod and the entire Russian army, the author nonetheless condemns the organizers of the campaign. First of all, for seeking personal glory, they put their interests above the interests of the Russian land. They destroyed the army and brought grief to the women who lost their sons, husbands, brothers in the battle.
They nullified the results of previous victorious campaigns led by Svyatoslav of Kiev, opening the way to Polovtsy.
But condemning his heroes, the author sympathizes with them, understanding their youth, ardor and arrogance, because Igor and Vsevolod are children of their time, full of strife, feuds, vanity of the princes.
The main idea of ââthe poem "The Word of Igor's Campaign"
Whatever the author of the work, with all his heart loving Russian land, he is trying to persuade the Russian princes and urges them to stop forging sedition and to unite around the Kiev prince, because only by uniting will the Russian army close the gates to the Polovetsky field and will be able to repulse any enemy.