Not many original monuments marked Old Russian literature. "The Tale of Boris and Gleb" is one of them. It is a pity that many works of that time were lost over the centuries. Probably, we do not know about a whole series of masterpieces of the Old Russian word. All the more valuable for us is the preserved "Legend of Boris and Gleb." A brief summary and analysis of it will give you some idea of this work.
It was created in the middle of the 11th century and is dedicated to the history of the murders of Boris and Gleb, which were later canonized. Based on the research of M.P. Pogodin and Metropolitan Makarii, it is believed that Jacob Chernoretsets created "The Legend of Boris and Gleb." The summary of the work presented below will give you an idea of its plot. And the analysis, which you will find in the second part of the article, will help to understand its meaning.
Sons of Vladimir
The story of the sons of Vladimir begins "The Legend of Boris and Gleb." A summary of this part of the work is as follows. The twelve sons were with the Russian prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. They were born from different wives. Svyatopolk is the third oldest. His mother, a nun, was tattered. She was married to Vladimir’s brother, Yaropolk. However, Vladimir killed him and captured his wife when she was pregnant. The prince adopted Svyatopolk, who was born, but did not like him. From his Bulgarian wife, Vladimir and Boris Gleb were born . The prince put his children to reign in different lands: Boris - in Rostov, Svyatopolk - in Pinsk, Gleb - in Murom.
The death of Vladimir. Svyatopolk seizes the throne
When the days of Vladimir were approaching the end, the Pechenegs attacked Russia. Against them, the prince sent Boris. He went camping, but did not meet the enemy. When Boris was already returning, the messenger told him that his father had died. He also said that Svyatopolk wanted to hide his death. Boris, listening to this story, cried. He realized that the goal of Svyatopolk was to seize power in his own hands and kill him. However, Boris decided not to resist. Svyatopolk really insidiously took over the throne. Boris, despite the entreaties of his squad, did not try to drive him away from reign.
The murder of Boris
Svyatopolk meanwhile bribed the people of Kiev. He wrote an affectionate letter to Boris. However, his words were false. In fact, he longed for the death of all the heirs of Vladimir. Svyatopolk began by giving the order to kill Boris to his squad. It consisted of Vyshgorod husbands, and was headed by Putyn.
Boris threw his camp on the river. Alte. He prayed in the evening in his tent, thinking that he would soon die. Waking up, Boris ordered the priest to serve in the morning. The murderers sent by Svyatopolk went to his tent and heard the words of prayers. Hearing a whisper, Boris realized that the killers had come. Seeing his sadness, the priest and servant grieved for him.
But then Boris saw the killers who came with weapons in their hands. They pierced the prince with spears. A servant of Boris tried to stop them. He covered the master with his body. This servant was called George, he was a Hungarian. The killers pierced him with a spear. George, wounded by them, jumped out of the tent. The prince was still alive, and the villains wanted to inflict new blows on him. However, Boris began to ask that he be allowed to pray to God. After reading the prayers, he turned to the killers, asking them for forgiveness, and then said that they finish their work. So Boris died. It happened on July 24th. Many of his servants were also killed, including George. In order to remove the hryvnia from the neck, his head was chopped off.
The prince was wrapped in a tent, and then taken in a cart. Boris raised his head as he rode through the forest. Two Varangians pierced him again with a sword in his heart. The body of the prince was laid in Vyshgorod. He was buried at the Church of St. Basil.
Warning Yaroslav
However, the dramatic events of the work “The Legend of Boris and Gleb” did not end there. The author further writes that after some time Svyatopolk decided to carry out a new crime. The prince sent a letter to Gleb, in which he reported that Vladimir, his father, was seriously ill and asked him to come. Gleb believed and went to Kiev. At the Volga, he injured his leg and stopped near Smolensk, on the river. Mombs. Meanwhile, the news of the death of Vladimir reached Yaroslav, one of the 12 sons of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. Yaroslav at that time reigned in Novgorod. He sent a warning to Gleb that he should not go to Kiev, since his father died and Boris was killed. When the prince wept for them, suddenly the servants of Svyatopolk appeared before him, who were sent to kill him.
Killing Gleb
Gleb swam at this time along the river. Mommy on your boat. The killers were in another boat. They began to row in his direction. Gleb thought their intention was to greet him. However, the villains began to jump into the prince’s boat with drawn swords. Gleb began to beg them to save his life. However, the servants of Svyatopolk were inexorable. Gleb began to pray to God for his brothers, father and even Svyatopolk, his killer. After that, Torchin, his cook, stabbed his master. Gleb ascended to heaven, where he met his beloved brother. This happened on September 5th.
The killers returned to Svyatopolk. They told him that they had obeyed the command. The evil prince rejoiced ...
Miracles at the place where the body of Gleb
Gleb's body was thrown between two decks in a deserted place. The shepherds, hunters and merchants passing by saw there burning candles, a pillar of fire, heard angelic singing. However, no one knew that the body of the saint was in this place.
Sich in Alta, Svyatopolk’s flight
Meanwhile, Yaroslav with his army moved to Svyatopolk in order to avenge his brothers. Victories accompanied Yaroslav. Coming to the river. Altu, he became at the place where Boris was killed, and prayed to God for victory over the villain.
The battle in Alta lasted all day. By evening, Yaroslav defeated the enemy, and Svyatopolk (his portrait is presented above) fled. Madness drew him around. He was so weak that he had to be carried on a stretcher. Even after the chase ceased, the prince ordered the escape. He was carried on a stretcher across the entire Polish land. Svyatopolk died in a deserted place between Poland and the Czech Republic. His grave has been preserved. A terrible stench comes from her.
The reign of Yaroslav
And on Russian land since then strife has ceased. Yaroslav became the Grand Duke. He found the body of Gleb and buried him next to his brother, in Vyshgorod. His remains were incorrupt.
Miracles at the grave of Boris and Gleb
Many miracles began to come from the relics of St. Boris and Gleb: the lame walked, the blind saw the light, the hunchbacks straightened. And where the brothers were killed, churches were created in their name.
This concludes the Tale of Boris and Gleb. A brief summary of the work is complemented by its analysis. From it you will learn about the author’s attitude to the main characters, their images and the significance of the work.
Analysis of the work
An excellent example of the hagiographic genre is The Tale of Boris and Gleb. Analysis of the work should begin with the fact that it is certainly valuable for Russian literature, history and culture in general. This is a real find for people who are interested in everyday literature. Original, figuratively, vividly written this work. The author who created The Tale of Boris and Gleb put his whole soul into his creation. His analysis must necessarily include a story about the images of Boris and Gleb, which are central in the work.
Attitude of the author to Boris and Gleb
The creator of the work worships these brothers. He tries to tell the reader as much as possible about their ideal behavior and spiritual beauty. Reading the work, one is imbued with admiration for the brothers to whom the "Tale of Boris and Gleb" is dedicated. The theme of the work, of course, is broader than the description of their deeds and heroic death, but they occupy a central place in it. Today you rarely see a good, good person without a second thought. Boris and Gleb are just such people. These are samples of purity and purity. You will be convinced of this if you read "The Tale of Boris and Gleb." Reviews of the work speak of a deep impression that its main characters make on readers.
Personal qualities of brothers
An amazing trace in the soul leaves the meekness of the brothers, their angelic character. It also conquers their willingness to accept death in the name of the Lord. The brothers decided to carry their cross to the end. They voluntarily suffered martyrdom, refusing to go to war against their older brother. Boris and Gleb simply could not take power by force.
Fairy tale and reality
The author told us a beautiful, touching, sad story. He told us about good and evil, about strength and weakness, about youth and love (for fatherland, brotherly, filial). It is known that Boris and Gleb are not fictional characters, but real people. In the history of Russia, their murder took place. However, the legend about these people seems to be a beautiful and kind fairy tale, which grandmother tells in the evenings. With bated breath we follow what is happening. We feel sorry for the young men. However, evil, as usual, must be punished. For the brothers Svyatopolk avenged Yaroslav. Boris and Gleb are buried in the same grave, which is one of the symbols of Russia. From generation to generation, the legend of Boris and Gleb was passed on. An analysis of the work dedicated to these brothers is of great interest today. After all, this is a creation of great artistic power. Briefly describing The Tale of Boris and Gleb, we can say that it affirms the ideas of Christianity and patriotism.