In the 70s of the 18th century, changes began in Russian literature. They relate specifically to poetry in a way that destroys canonized forms. Little by little, Lomonosov, Mikov, Kheraskov started it, but Derzhavin approached the world of genres as a rebel.
This is especially true of the solemn ode genre, which is indicated, if you carefully and thoughtfully read, the ode "Felitsa", a summary of which is presented below.
Ode name
Felicitas in Latin means "happiness." But this is not enough. Derzhavin read a fairy tale that Catherine II wrote for her grandson, Alexander, on behalf of Tsarevna Felitsa, Tsarevich Chlor, who will be later seen in the text as a protagonist.
Because of the mockery of the nobles surrounding Catherine II, friends were not advised to print an ode. She is not harmless, this ode "Felitsa". The summary of the long work could anger high dignitaries. And how could the empress herself relate to the humorous description of her life? Moreover, it speaks about important issues. However, the ode was printed and caused tears of emotion of empress. She found out who was her author, and in every way benefited him. Schoolchildren of our days are not interested in the ode “Felitsa”. They will read the summary as necessary and with longing.
Start
The first ten verses tell how a princess, like the gods, showed the way to the captive prince Chlorus - the way to the place where the rose grows without thorns. He needed this rose to free himself from slavery. And the rose grows on a high mountain, where the abode of virtue is located. This tale of the prince and daughter of the Khan Felice was composed, as already mentioned, by the empress herself. So that ode "Felitsa", a brief summary of which includes a retelling of the work of Catherine II, could no longer flatter the empress. The second ten verses ask Felitsy for help in learning how to live correctly, because the author himself is weak and cannot cope with worldly passions.
The "simplicity" of the empress
In the following ten verses, Derzhavin creates the ideal image of the heroine, describing her behavior and habits: love for walking, simple food, reading and writing, a measured daily routine. Her contemporaries did not differ in all of this. No portrait description (referring to the ode "Felitsa"). Derzhavin, this brief summary shows the monarchy’s democracy, unpretentiousness, and friendliness.
Irony and satire
The poet introduces a similar innovation into an ode, while earlier such liberties in this genre were not allowed. He contrasts the virtuous Felitsa with her surroundings. The poet writes in the first person, but he refers to Prince Potemkin, who leads a wild life at court and, fighting, represents himself as a sovereign ruler, like a sultan. Going to war, but he fought a lot and, as a rule, successfully, spends days at feasts, where gourmet food, which cannot be counted, is served on golden dishes. Or rides in a golden carriage, accompanied by friends, dogs, beauties.
Do not forget the author and A. G. Orlova (ode "Felitsa"). Derzhavin (a brief summary we are considering) talks about his love for horse racing. The Orlovs at stud farms bred thoroughbred trotters. On his wonderful horses, the count arranged races. Derzhavin also remembers the enthusiasm of the Orlov favorites for dancing and fist fights. In this they amused their spirit.
In addition, the poet mentions P.I. Panin, who helped the empress in the coup. Panin loved dog hunting and devoted much time to it, forgetting about state affairs. Derzhavin does not deprive the attention of such a large courtier as Naryshkin, who adored at night, and why at night it is unknown to ride along the Neva accompanied by an entire orchestra of musicians with horn instruments. One could only dream of peace and quiet in the capital city for a simple man in the street, who was laboring for his bread. Well, how can one not smile at the peaceful entertainment of Attorney General Vyazemsky? In his free time, he read popular stories and dozed over the Bible.
The poet is ironic over himself, as if classing himself among a narrow circle of the elect. In such an ironic vein, no one dared to write. Ode “Felitsa” (Derzhavin), a summary of which is presented here, has become an innovative work. When Derzhavin was reproached with ridicule, which today seems quite harmless, the poet pointed to a place where he describes his shortcomings, for example, chasing pigeons on a dovecote or just playing cards in a fool. People, according to the poet, and correct in addition, are not inclined to engage in serious affairs all the time. It is only important not to run after empty dreams, not to lead a luxurious and lazy life and not to grumble when they demand money for state affairs. And this was famous for both Potemkin and Prince Vyazemsky, whom Catherine II described in her tale of Tsarevich Chlor under the names of Lentyag and Bryuzga.
Literary joke
But the poet has no condemnation of the empress, who is surrounded by people with human weaknesses. After all, their talents are at the service of the prosperity of a great empire. This shows an analysis of Derzhavin’s poem “Felitsa”. IN portraits of the noble courtiers used the technique of a literary joke. In those days, a joke was understood to mean a real story about a real person, but artistically crafted, which has an instructive or satirical sound. Indeed, in the memory of the descendants there remained a reveler, a duelist and a tireless ladies man, the favorite of Catherine II Alexei Orlov, the cautious Panin, a sybarite, but also the victorious warrior Potemkin. It describes the gradual departure from the scene of the Masons, which began during the time of Catherine II under the influence of the bloody revolution in France. Masons are mentioned at the very beginning of the ode. But in general, Derzhavin’s irony was not pretentious, accusatory, it was soft, rather, playful.
How to create the image of Catherine
Through the tale of the clever Felitsa, who helps the prince Chlorine, Derzhavin creates the image of the ideal ruler. Where an ordinary person, Derzhavin says, goes astray, follows passion, one princess is able to illuminate everything with her wisdom. He hints at the creation of provinces in the state, which led to its management in a larger order. He appreciates in Catherine II that she does not humiliate people, does not oppress and does not destroy, like a wolf, and looks through their fingers at their weaknesses. Catherine II is the anointed of God, but not God, and behaves accordingly. People are more subject to God than to the king. So says the analysis of Derzhavin’s poem “Felitsa”. The Empress abides by this rule, for she is an enlightened nun.
Nevertheless, Derzhavin decides to give very delicate advice to the empress: dividing the state into provinces, fasten them with laws so that there are no disagreements. Further, he beautifully compares her with a skillful captain leading a ship through a stormy sea.
Emphasizing modesty and generosity in the image of Catherine
Many stanzas are devoted to this, but the most important thing is that she refused the titles “Wise,” “Great,” “Mother of the Fatherland,” which the senators presented to her. Yes, modesty was false, but it looked beautiful. When you carefully read not only the ode, but also the comments on it, such conclusions are implied by the analysis of the ode “Felitsa” G. Derzhavin
Idealization of the image of Catherine
In the first part of the ode, the image of the monarchine with the simple habits of an ordinary person is very impressive to the poet. Derzhavin further praises her as a wise statesman. This is the image of an enlightened sovereign in comparison with the queens who ruled before her, often deeply ignorant and cruel. In the third and final part, an image of a philosopher soaring above his subjects is created, who thinks deeply about the fate of the state and people.
These are all the ideals of G. R. Derzhavin in the ode “Felitsa”. Felitsa is the living goddess on earth, as confirmed by the final stanzas. They are full of praise, and it is no wonder that the empress shed a tear while reading this essay.
Oriental motifs in ode
Having built from beginning to end the ode “Felitsa” on an oriental tale written by the monarch herself, Derzhavin gave it an oriental flavor. It contains Lentyag, Bryuzga, Murza, Khan, Khan's daughter, the god-like princess. This creates a special “aftertaste”, unusual for either Russian prose or poetry. In addition, making the object of poetry a monarch, the poet wrote an ode as praise and at the same time as a satirical work. This ensures the originality of the ode of Gabriel Derzhavin "Felitsa". He was one of the first poets in literature to discover new treasures of the living word, one of those whose work does not fit into the framework of the theory of three styles.