Undoubtedly, one of the best works of new Ukrainian literature is the “Aeneid” of I. P. Kotlyarevsky. However, the talented poet not only indicated that culture in Ukraine, and literature in particular, was receiving a new round of development: the Church Slavonic was replaced by the living language spoken by the people. He made the word of art interesting, fun, worldly.
Kotlyarevsky wrote for the people and about the people, so his every image was very successful. Natalka-Poltavka is a truly unique play. First staged at the Poltava Theater in 1819, it is still popular today.
The plot of the play
First, we will consider the plot of the work, and then we will study the characters in detail, analyze each image. “Natalka-Poltavka” is a play about the life of the Ukrainian people in the nineteenth century. In a simple village live two lovers: Natalka and Peter. They dream of getting married, but the guy is poor, so she knows that the girl’s parents will not agree to the wedding. In addition, Mr. Vozny put his eyes on her.
After an unsuccessful match, Peter goes to work. For four years the bride has been waiting for him, but the family has changed. Father died, and Natasha and her mother were forced to work hard to make ends meet. Many guys get married to a girl who could become a profitable party for her and save her family from poverty. But Natalya refuses everyone, remaining true to her heart.
The girl is the main, central image. Natalka-Poltavka is full of colorful characters. Mother persuades her to get married in order to cope with poverty, so she agrees. True, Natalia strongly hopes that all the suitors whom she refused will never return. But the driver did not abandon his intention and comes to get married. Bound by a promise to her mother, the girl is forced to tie him with a towel.
Climax
The image of Natalka-Poltavka is interesting from all sides. When Peter returns, the girl tells the driver that she will not marry him, despite the fact that the marriage was successful. Seeing that Natasha really loves the other, he acts nobly: the bailiff refuses the bride and allows Peter to marry.
Natasha appears before us as a beautiful, smart and purposeful girl, faithful and loving. She sincerely loves her mother and is ready to sacrifice a lot for her, but is not ready to give up her happiness. Therefore, her kindness disarms even the hated groom.
The main images of the play
In addition to the girl, there is another image. "Natalka-Poltavka" talks about Peter - Natasha's beloved. He is noble, inclined to self-sacrifice, kind and hardworking, but, unfortunately, poor. This is an collected image of a common people. He does not want to abandon his beloved, so he goes to work to prove to her father that his intentions are serious. True, the guy is not distinguished by courage and decisiveness: when he learns that the girl was wooed, he sacrifices himself and advises her to marry the driver.
In contrast to Peter, his friend Nicholas is put - an orphan, a hut, but a cheerful and quick-witted guy. He helps a friend fight for his love, and then wants to go to Zaporozhye.
It was written in a cheerful, satire language, “Natalka-Poltavka”. The carriage image is also collected, because it shows how the authorities behaved in those days. The official is a predator both in business and in love. He wants to own Natasha, although he seems good-natured and rustic. Although such people are capable of noble deeds.
Conclusion
The play ended with a happy ending. However, it realistically shows social injustice, real life, and the relations of the common people and power. The author sympathizes with the poor, that is, all commoners, and condemns the officials. The characters' characters are bright, typical Ukrainian. The same is the language of the narrative. Rich, filled with proverbs and idioms, he is a real storehouse of folk wisdom and creativity. The play is worth reading to everyone who loves funny works and Ukrainian culture.