Osip Mandelstam is one of the brightest representatives of the poets of the Silver Age. It is difficult to overestimate his contribution to the development of Russian literature of the twentieth century, and the tragic fate leaves no one indifferent.
An analysis of the poem is fascinating and interesting in itself . Mandelstam also reveals in his lyrics the world of acmeists, their attitude to poetry and artistic orientation. The article will consider the most famous works of the writer: “Leningrad”, “Insomnia”, “Tender evening”, “Century” and “Notre Dame”.
Curriculum Vitae
The future poet was born in 1891 in a Warsaw merchant family, which in 1897 moved to St. Petersburg. Here Osip Emilievich graduates from the Tenishev School. Then he goes to Paris, attends lectures at the Sorbonne, and studies at the University of Heidelberg.
In 1910, his poems were first published in the journal Apollo. Over the year, Mandelstam becomes his own in a literary environment, while gravitating to the ideas of acmeists. In 1913, the writer publishes the first collection of poems - “Stone”.
The life of the poet ends in 1938, when he was repressed and exiled to Voronezh. Mandelstam died in the exile camp and was buried in a mass grave.
The analysis of the poem helps to reveal the inner world and the peculiarities of the poet's worldview. In this regard, Mandelstam opens up to the reader his point of view on what happened at the beginning of the 20th century in Russia and what he himself witnessed.
Characteristics of Osip Mandelstam's lyrics
Mandelstam's poetic path began at age 14, when the first verses were written. From this moment begins the early period of creativity, characterized by pessimism and the search for the meaning of life. Initially, Mandelstam was fascinated by the ideas of the Symbolists and turned in his poetry to musical images and motives. However, acquaintance with acmeists dramatically changed the ideas and tone of the poet's lyrics. In such works as "Nature is the same Rome ..." architectural images begin to appear, which confirms the analysis of the poem. Mandelstam understands the development of civilizations as a continuous ongoing process, where the cultural heritage (including architecture) reflects the changes and views of peoples.
To understand and comprehend the features of Mandelstam’s lyrics, it is necessary to turn to an analysis of his programmatic poems.
Leningrad
The analysis of the poem “Leningrad” by Mandelstam can begin with a description of the plot. The lyrical hero returns to the city of his childhood - Leningrad. Here he found his calling, made friends, many of whom he can no longer meet. His connection with the city is so strong that it is comparable with blood and carnal ties: "to the veins, to the swollen glands of children." This is the connection with the space of Leningrad: “the fat of the Leningrad river lanterns”, “the yolk is mixed with sinister tar” (a metaphor describing a cloudy sky and dim sunlight). But the strongest ties of friendship are: “I still have addresses where I can find the voices of the dead.” But no matter how strong the lyrical hero’s connection with the city is, there are those who can easily break it - “guests”. They come at night without an invitation and take with them relatives and friends. Their coming is tantamount to death, because those whom they take away no longer return.
Mandelstam’s analysis of the poem “Leningrad” speaks of an incredibly disturbing time. The author perfectly conveyed the growing anxiety, the absence of any protection from the arbitrariness happening around and the hopelessness of the future.
"Century"
This is one of the most expressive and terrifying works that Mandelstam wrote. The analysis of the poem “My Century, My Beast ...” in many respects reflects the same feelings about the loss of the familiar calm world as the previous verse.
Mandelstam compares his age with a beast ruthless and unbridled, who broke the spine of an established world order and cannot fix it, looking longingly at the past. The poet subtly feels the whole tragedy of what is happening and tries to connect the vertebrae with his art (which represents the flute), but there is no time, and the strength of one person is not enough. And the "blood-builder" continues to flow from the wounds of the country. The image of a century-beast contains not only unbridledness, but also helplessness: a broken ridge prevents him from gaining former strength, it remains only to look "at the traces of his own paws." Thus, Mandelstam is painfully, hard, and tragically experiencing revolutionary events and a change of power.
Analysis of the poem "Insomnia"
The work was based on the second song of the Homeric "Iliad" - "The Dream of Boeotia, or the List of Ships", which lists all the ships and commanders who went to Troy.
The beginning of the poem is the word "insomnia", which describes the physical condition of the hero. And immediately the poet plunges the reader into the ancient Greek myth: “Homer. Tight couple ... ". Infinitely stretching ships, like an endless night, tormenting and not allowing to fall asleep. The image of the crane wedge only enhances the leisurely and stretched space and time, which Mandelstam seeks to emphasize. Analysis of the poem "Insomnia" reflects the smooth flow of time and thoughts of the lyrical hero. From the description of the ships he proceeds to thinking about the purpose of the ancient war. A huge army is driven by love: “Where are you going? Whenever Elena, what’s Troy to you, Achaean men? .. Both the sea and Homer are all moved by love. ” The next line returns to reality, to the present era for the lyrical hero: “Who should I listen to? And Homer is silent. ”
Love is the main driving force that has remained unchanged from ancient times to this day, - this is the opinion expressed in this poem by Osip Mandelstam.
Analysis of the poem "The evening is gentle"
The poem describes one of the picnics on the Mediterranean coast, on which Mandelstam was a frequent guest while studying at the Sorbonne. This work stands out sharply against the background of the poet’s creativity with its joy, happiness and carefree pink light. The poet acts as a romantic, paints a beautiful landscape picture, filled with sounds, smells and bright colors. A nineteen-year-old writer is happy, he feels the freedom and limitlessness of his possibilities, the whole world opens before him. The poet openly expresses his opinion, there is no fear and fear in him to incur misfortune (which appear in later works).
After returning to Russia, Mandelstam will never write such joyful lines. An analysis of the poem “Tender Evening” reveals the writer’s cheerful, longing for freedom and life.
"Notre Dame"
The poem “Notre Dame”, like the previous one, is based on the impressions that study in France left about itself. Mandelstam traveled a lot during this period and was shocked by the view of Notre Dame Cathedral. The poem is dedicated to this architectural monument. Mandelstam building is incredibly metaphorical and sensual. An analysis of the poem “Notre Dame” reveals the beauty of the cathedral, compared with a living creature: “plays the light cross arch with muscles”. The poet is afraid and delighted with the sight, he is imbued with the beauty and grandeur of the structure and gradually recognizes him as the most beautiful in the world.
On the very first line, Mandelstam turns to the history of the creation of the Council: "Where the Roman judge judged the alien people." The emerging Roman theme is necessary in order to show the connection of architecture and the cultural and historical development of peoples.
Admired and surprised at the abilities of the ancient architects Mandelstam. The analysis of the poem “Notre Dame” can be reduced to a description of the contrasts on which the entire work is built: “light arch” - “mass of a heavy wall”, “Egyptian power” - “Christian timidity”, “oak” - “reed”. In a combination of conflicting feelings, dissimilar materials and different approaches to the image, the beauty of both the cathedral itself and the poet’s poem is hidden.
Output
Thus, to reveal the author’s position, to understand the soul, worldview and mood of the poet will help a simple analysis of the poem. Mandelstam is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and unusual poets of the Silver Age, whose work delights, attracts and fascinates.