"Eugene Onegin" is a great work of Pushkin, which still does not lose relevance. V. G. Belinsky believed that this novel allows you to find out all the subtleties of Russian reality, and this is true. Indeed, the work perfectly reflects the 19th century and the people who lived then. But what were contemporaries of the poet? This can be seen in the example of Eugene and Vladimir, whom Pushkin sincerely loved.
The comparative characteristics of Lensky and Onegin are of interest to many schoolchildren and simply readers of the novel. They have a lot of similarities and differences, they are like two sides of the same person ... How sooner or later youth ends, how experience comes to replace it, and with it conformism, so death would certainly overtake a young dreamer.
Characteristics of Onegin
Eugene Onegin was raised from childhood as a typical representative of high society. It cannot be said that he was loaded with studies, but he mastered the foundations of the sciences, which the aristocrat must certainly understand.
From an early age, Eugene was much smarter than other children. He was a little versed in classical literature, loved Byron, read Adam Smith in his spare time, but he was not dreamy or emotional. In this he differs from Lensky. Maybe then he looks like Chatsky? No, too, since the hero of Griboedov was interested in politics, unlike him.
Eugene was distinguished by an unusually cold and sober mind, also he could no longer enjoy anything, because for a long time he was tired of everything. As a result, as one would expect, he was completely disgusted with life, and he fell into a depression. To many, the friendship of Lensky and Onegin may seem surprising and strange, well, perhaps this is the way it is.
The search for the meaning of life, the negative qualities of Onegin
Longing pushed Eugene to search for some meaning, he was thinking what to do with himself. He began to devote a lot of time to reading, and also tried to write his own work, but he did not succeed.
The aristocratic way of life in Evgeny did not develop the best qualities - hostility to work, laziness, unwillingness to assume any obligations and a pronounced, one might even say, ostentatious egocentrism.
Lensky characteristic
Vladimir is the opposite of Onegin; he personifies another aristocratic type. Surprisingly, reading about him, it is easier for us to understand the nuances of the personality of Eugene. Vladimir is a nobleman, he is 18 years old, and Onegin is 24. Lensky studied in Germany for some time. In which city it is not specified. A comparative description of Lensky and Onegin will be useful to those who want to better understand the work.
Vladimir is particularly romantic and dreamy, he loves Kant and writes poetry. He lives not with his mind, but with his heart: he believes in sincere feelings, in friendship, in humanity. It seems that the world does not find another such idealist. He takes his free time with dreams and fantasies. Vladimir looks at the world through
pink glasses, he soon falls in love with Olga and for some reason believes that she is close to him like no other, although this girl is not at all distinguished by the richness of her inner world and spirituality.
Similarities and differences of the main characters
What unites Lensky and Onegin? Probably, only that they are both aristocrats, have received a good education, are distinguished by intelligence and, undoubtedly, stand out from the crowd surrounding them. Vladimir sees beauty everywhere. But for Eugene this is a passed stage, he understands that people are far from perfect, prone to hypocrisy and deeply vicious. The author writes that Vladimir was somewhat naive, always hoping for the best, he was attracted to life in his colorful colors. His friend Eugene Onegin was indulgent towards him. Lensky’s characterization may cause a smile among some readers. Eugene listened to the outpourings of Vladimir, ironically grinning, but at the same time he tried not to show his slight contempt, believing that he should not be persuaded in anything, anyway, sooner or later he would realize that he was wrong. In the meantime, let this crazy romantic enjoy the imaginary perfection of reality, because such a worldview is characteristic of many young people.
Friendship is of great importance to Vladimir, and Eugene talks with him only because he is bored, although he has some sympathy for him. Lensky, who does not understand anything in life, is a typical representative of aristocratic youth, although there were many such as Onegin. Perhaps some recognize themselves in the heroes of Pushkin. The comparative characteristics of Lensky and Onegin are obligatory for reading to such people, perhaps they will take something new for themselves from it.
The author, noting the dissimilarity of two friends, at the same time, emphasizes that they have some common personal qualities. He writes that fire and ice, prose and poetry, stone and water have not so many differences. How to understand this proposal? Most likely, Pushkin means that Eugene and Vladimir are united by selfishness, complacency and self-admiration. This phrase of the writer, perhaps, will make for some the image of Onegin and Lensky more understandable.
What do Pushkin and Onegin have in common?
Yet Onegin is much more interesting and smarter than his friend. His sober mind evokes much more sympathy than Vladimir’s naive daydreaming, which would soon have left no trace, as happens with flowers in the fall. Dissatisfaction with the surrounding reality is most often characteristic of deep personalities. In addition, the author is closer to Eugene, and he compares himself with him. He writes that he was angry, and his hero is gloomy, that they once enjoyed life, but soon they were tired of everything, and they plunged into despondency. The comparative characteristics of Lensky and Onegin, of course, are interesting, but it is also curious to know the similarities and differences in the characters of Pushkin and Eugene.
Yearning
The author openly says that the personality of the protagonist is to his liking, one way or another he notes this throughout the novel. Onegin's torment is strong enough. He even regrets that he is still alive and young, because he does not get any pleasure from it, but only suffers. How much longer will he have to suffer, how long will his heart beat? Nothing seduces him, he only yearns ...
The writer awarded Eugene many qualities that will later appear in the characters of Lermontov, Herzen, Turgenev, Goncharov and other authors. And such dreamers as Vladimir are completely incapable of life: some resign themselves to it, while others die.
Ridiculous conflict
How insignificant and even strange is the conflict between Lensky and Onegin. And the reader wants to hope: everything will end happily, comrades will forget about this minor quarrel, Vladimir will marry his beloved ... But a duel will happen, someone must die. But who? Even the most inattentive reader understands: Vladimir will die. The author gently prepared us for this outcome. Comparison of Onegin and Lensky is of interest to many, but the duel raises many more questions.
The true reason for the fight
An absurd conflict is just a reason for a duel, and the reason for it does not lie on the surface. A disastrous force is added to this quarrel, which no one can resist - public opinion.
Eugene could go to Vladimir, talk heart to heart, make peace - there is still time ... But no, this is impossible!
Pushkin calls public opinion our idol and writes that the world rests on it. That is the reason for the duel between Lensky and Onegin.
Eugene had to kill Vladimir. He looks down at society, but still he cares about what they think about him, he fears ridicule and contempt. He values his honor and is therefore forced to kill his friend. Who knows what would happen to Vladimir in the future if he had not died ... Maybe he would have participated in the December uprising, and perhaps he would have led a simple, unremarkable life.
A harmless trick that turned into a tragedy
What really happened? Eugene simply decided to take revenge on Vladimir for persuading him to go to the ball, where all those whom he despised gathered. For Onegin, this is just a harmless trick, but Lensky takes it very differently. His pink dreams are destroyed - he considered it a betrayal, although, of course, this is a wild exaggeration. And Vladimir decided that a duel in this situation is mandatory, there is no other way. Lensky in the novel "Eugene Onegin" sometimes may not seem like a completely reasonable person, and this is what tragedy led to his excessive emotionality. If Vladimir were at least a little more restrained, nothing like this would have happened. This should be a lesson for all readers: you need to listen to the voice of reason, and not act under the influence of emotions.