The military novel is a genre that was formed back in the era of Kievan Rus. Being a peculiar and original literary phenomenon, such works reached the modern reader as part of medieval chronicles.
Key Features
A military novel is texts of annals that have a strict literary structure. They are designed in a peculiar style. The plot focuses on the struggle of a Russian warrior with a foreigner. The narrative is subordinate to the idea characteristic of the worldview of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus, namely: on faith in the manifestation of divine will and its influence on the acts of mere mortals.
Genre definition
The military story is an important historical source. However, with regard to the definition of this cultural phenomenon, the opinions of researchers diverge somewhat. Some believe that such a story is an integral part of the chronicle. And from other texts it is distinguished by a military plot. Examples of such articles in the Chronicle of Bygone Years are the narrative of the struggle against the Pechenegs, Polovtsy (XI – XII c.) And Tatars (XIII – XIV c.).
Other historians believe that the military novel is an independent literary work, and not a fragment of ancient Russian vaults. The first example of this genre they consider the "Word of Igor's regiment."
And yet, what is a military story? In literature and history, this phenomenon occupies an important place. By combining the two versions outlined above, you can get a general idea about it.
The development of the military story
As a separate genre, it was finally formed in the XII-XIII centuries. The creators of the Kiev and Galicia-Volyn annals became the authors of the first heroic works.
The features of the military story are that all events unfold exclusively around the main character. Such a structure is not accidental. The purpose of such a story is to convey to the descendants the image of a fighter and liberator from enemy invasions. This genre reached its climax in the second half of the 12th century. It was created in higher circles. And therefore, the author of the military novel turned primarily to the boyars and princes.
The Story of Svyatoslav
This work is a biography of a bright heroic personality. The facts set forth in it are reliable. The structure of the story is a dated fragments from the life of the hero. The author of this historical work emphasizes that Prince Svyatoslav was extremely close to his soldiers, considering himself one of them.
Being part of the squad is the basis of the chivalrous morality of those times. And it was precisely this feature that became key in the image of Svyatoslav. The structure of this military story is rather complicated. Numerous speeches of the hero and his speeches before the squad are difficult for the modern reader to perceive. In addition, the story contains additional facts and details. All of these elements are intentionally entered into the text. They characterize the era in which Prince Svyatoslav lived.
The main character is depicted as a brave and agile warrior. One of the contemporaries of the author of this military story compared Svyatoslav with a deft cheetah for his agility and activity in battle. The main features of the military story are precisely in this image of military leaders. The characters in the literature of this genre are not pompous and whimsical princes, but heroes who can bear all sorts of hardships of military life.
The Tale of Prince Izyaslav
This work is one of the best monuments of ancient Russian literature of the heroic genre. It is also dominated by the praise of the protagonist. The story begins with a description of an important historical event: Izyaslav is called to the throne of Kiev.
But in this work there is no unity of stylistic and ideological signs. The story of Prince Izyaslav is replaced by the story of the reprisal against Igor. Further, numerous campaigns are depicted and diplomatic policy is discussed. The author-chronicler of this military story focuses on the honor and integrity of the main character. The characteristic features in the image of the prince are his constant willingness to risk his life, surrender to the will of God, the ability to express extraordinary generosity towards the clergy. And, like Svyatoslav, Izyaslav immensely loves his squad.
The story of Igor’s campaign against the Polovtsy
This chronicle consists of two cycles. The first depicts a significant campaign of Igor and the death of Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich. The second is of Chernihiv-Seversky origin. The author of the annalistic text portrays Igor as a valiant bearer of military honor. The description of the campaign contains the smallest details, which indicates the awareness of the chronicler. The creator of this fragment may not have been participants in the battles, but received first-hand information.
The tale of Prince Danil
The biography of this historical figure is a holistic biographical work. The image of Danila Galichsky is endowed with the features of a wise politician and a hero prince. In his story, which he called a “chronograph,” imitating foreign authors, the chronicler portrayed campaigns and battles, participation in the Battle of Kalka. The work is characterized by a detailed description of the psychological state of the prince and his squad before the battle.
The story of the ruin of Ryazan Batu
The work is one of the first that are not part of the chronicle. This story is a separate literary and documentary composition. It is built on the serial connection of individual historical fragments. And in this literary work for the first time not only the prince was endowed with characteristic features, but also other characters. The author not only describes the events, but also expresses his opinion, using various artistic means. Paths appear - rhetorical figures designed to strengthen the figurative language.
Composition
This genre has a specific structure. A military novel usually consists of three parts. The first depicts a gathering of troops. The second is dedicated to the event itself, which is the key to the plot. And in the third, the author sets out the consequences that the heroic campaign entailed. Such a composition is characteristic of a military novel. However, there are texts in which the exploits and campaigns of Russian soldiers are described in a more complex form.