How often do we hear now cliché words and expressions such as “the birth of a legend”, without thinking about what a legend is, in fact. If we turn to the primary sources, then the word legenda came from the Latin language. Thus, there is reason to believe that legends are the know-how of the Romans, but this statement is debatable. Its translation sounds like “reading”, “readable”. On this type of traditional genre there are monographs of a Russian scientist of the 19th century, a classic of linguistics R. O. Shor.
And where does the reading, if we are talking about oral folklore? This question is quite natural. Indeed, once the legends in Rome were intended for illiterate citizens, they contained historical, religious information that they understood. Of these, people drew knowledge, moral principles.
Legends and traditions. What is the difference?
The meaning of the word "legend", which is borrowed, is close to the meaning of the old Russian word "tradition". The latter came from the words “convey”, meaning by word of mouth. Tradition, as a rule, is tied to a certain locality, people. The legend was originally distinguished by an assessment of events and people according to religious norms.
The Christian legend traditionally includes an assessment of events according to Christian standards of living. It is more generalized than tradition. What is common to both the narrative and the legend is their single basis - certain historical events. The latter are usually dramatic.
Legendary Comprehension
Let's try to answer in more detail the question of what is a legend. A religious legend, as already noted, can take the form of a dramatic miracle (a medieval tale of miracles performed by saints). However, legends exist in other religions: Buddhism, Judaism, Islam. The genre has acquired a broader, non-veritable significance. His subject was the story of a hero, historical figure, or event. Examples of such works will be discussed below.
Famous legends
Recall
what a legend is. For this, we give some of the most famous examples of this genre. Such is the legend about the journey of the hero Jason with his comrades on the ship Argo in search of the Golden Fleece to Colchis. This story has survived for centuries and has survived. Through the thickness of time also passed the legend of the Trojan War, its heroes and the drama of the confrontation. Even today, Achilles and Hector inspire creative people to numerous remakes of this legend in various forms of art.
Allegorical and instructive is the story of the victory of the hero Theseus over the monster Minotaur, who lives in the palace labyrinth of King Crete. "Aeneid" tells us about the courageous founder of Rome - the hero Eenea, a Trojan who fled after the destruction of the native city-kingdom by the Greeks.
Three hundred Spartans, who gave a heroic battle to the Persians in the Thermopyl gorge, also became a legend.
The legend about the “Flying Dutchman” is widely mentioned in literature. The captain brought a curse on his ship, swearing by the bones of his mother that no one would go ashore, and condemned his soul to eternal wandering. Meeting with this ship, appearing in the Indian Ocean, promised sailors death, and other ships - a wreck.
The Middle Ages are decorated with knightly and heroic legends. Russian legends are also known about the miraculous victory of St. George the Victorious over the serpent, about the heroes.
The French are proud of their national hero - the knight Roland.
In British folklore, the legend of King Arthur, who united around himself the knights of the Round Table, is known .
School program
In educational institutions as a genre the legend of literature is studied. Grade 5 of the program includes both the most famous works and local traditions. This
type of folklore is adapted to children's perception. Legend is a genre of literature related to small forms of folklore. It is capacious, rather concise, which is important for children's perception. In addition, this genre traditionally uses expressive
artistic means, affecting the concepts of love and hatred, good and evil, justice. Something like a fairy tale.
The genre of legend was developed in the 19th century by titans of literature: L. N. Tolstoy, F. M. Dostoevsky, I. S. Turgenev. For example, Lev Nikolaevich wrote the work “Destruction of Hell and Its Restoration”, “Christmas Legend”. Fedor Mikhailovich wrote a monumental work - “The Legend of the Great Inquisitor”. Ivan Sergeevich - “Eastern Legend”, “Legend of St. Juliana the Merciful. ”
Output
The considered genre is very dynamic. Therefore, speaking about what a legend is, it should be noted that today this genre is undergoing a rebirth. When faced with the unknown, the unknown, society begins to create new legends. For example, about aliens abducting people, about the monster of Lake Loch Ness, about the system of pyramids and other objects that impede the destruction of civilization, about people-heroes - our contemporaries. In addition, legends are born from literary works, if, of course, they were written by a real master. For example, the Tolkien novel “The Lord of the Rings” was perceived by the British as an epic. The stories presented in this trilogy have become legends.