Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin is the name of Russia, the name of enlightenment. Derzhavin's biography, briefly, the most important development of a laudatory ode in Derzhavin's work

G. R. Derzhavin (1743 - 1816)

Derzhavin began publishing in 1773, however, this was not the beginning of his literary career. The young poet began to write poetry while still in the soldier's service. Preserved two notebooks of that early period of creativity, when he "joined" the "warriors" of normative versification. In his early non-independent experiments, one can trace the influence not only of generally recognized poets of that time, but also of such innovators as Chulkov, Barkov, to which we can later include Derzhavin himself.

The poet's development was preceded by his formation as a literary theorist.

In 1811, he summed up the theoretical part of his work with a number of works, one of which was Discourse on Lyric Poetry or Ode, where he significantly departs from the generally accepted norms of literary-critical essay of that time, not only in form, but also in content.

Criticism of Russian classicism had a predominantly grammatical and linguistic orientation, which did not prevent drawing conclusions about the genres and other features of the works under consideration. The critic must be extremely strict with each individual shade that interferes with the purity of the style. Such pedantry is characteristic of the criticism of Trediakovsky and Lomonosov.

The rationalism of the aesthetics of classicism was refracted in the educational and pedagogical understanding of the goal facing the normative genre criticism.

The task was extremely simple and at the same time incredibly difficult: educating readers and writers, forming the correct (and only!) Syllable, correct thought and feeling. G. N. Teplov in his article “On the qualities of a poet, reasoning” writes: “... a poet who does not know below grammatical rules, below rhetorical ones, and when he is still insufficient in his knowledge ... of authors ... who from ancient times are a model of poetry considered, ... is likened to a physicist who does not know mathematics, chemistry and hydraulics. " Such a poet "can never access the knowledge of direct poem." So, not a flight of inspiration, but actually philological erudition, not a flight of feeling, but the judiciousness of the creative process - this is what the classicist critic appreciates in the first place in a writer.

Derzhavin, on the other hand, departs from the above-mentioned norms of classicistic criticism. In the already mentioned article "Discourse on lyric poetry or ode", the poet, for example, explains the meaning of the word "ode": "... in modern times ... it is the same as Cantata, Oratorio, Romance, Ballade, Stance even a simple song ”. Here, there is a violation not only of the genre hierarchy, but also of other canons of literature established by the founders of classicism. Further, Derzhavin clarifies concepts such as "inspiration", "highness", "lyrical disorder". The poet writes about the ode: "... an enthusiastic mind does not have time to arrange excessively fast thoughts logically, therefore the ode to the plan does not endure." Derzhavin talks about the “unity of passion” and its “diversity” at the same time, refracting through his understanding, the rule about the unity of place, time, action.

Further, Derzhavin advocates the brevity of the ode and its plausibility, noting that "fictions only adorn the truth." The poet sings a hymn to inspiration, repeating that only it is capable of "... stormy impulses of feelings, lofty divine thoughts, ... lively faces, courageous transfers and other rhetorical decorations, which have already been mentioned." However, a lot of what Derzhavin applied in practice remained unsaid in this article and was recognized only after studying the poetics of the author as a poet.

One of the main features of Derzhavin's poetics is the destruction of the genre hierarchy: the combination of “high” and “low”. Traditionally, the use of low vocabulary was possible only in low genres: fable, epigram, comedy. Often this created lexical disharmony: "Burn this peasant holiday" ("Peasant holiday"). Here there is a mixture of Church Slavonic and grassroots vocabulary.

Metric inaccuracies have often evolved into new dimensions. So, in the poem "Swallow" Derzhavin introduces for the first time the alternation of three-syllable dactyls and three-syllable amphibrachia:

Not a sweet-voiced swallow

Homemade from the stuck

Oh! My sweet, lovely

Flew away - with her joy.

But, perhaps, the most widespread was the so-called "figurative sound writing", i.e. with which the image is created. “The verb of the times of the metal ringing” - the striking of the clock (“On the death of Prince Meshchersky”), “Severny thunders lie in the grave” - the image of the commander Suvorov (“Bullfinch”).

Derzhavin makes extensive use of imprecise rhymes: “creation,” “feathers,” “in darkness,” “in a dream,” etc.

Derzhavin's art and plasticity are at a high level. A specific lyrical hero appears in his poetry (“Invitation to Dinner”). The development of an idea (not a plot) is associated with the poet's orientation towards public rhetorical utterance of the text. So, for example, the spiritual ode “God” is built (note that the main principle of construction is antithetical). The idea in this ode develops as follows: 1) comparison of the greatness of God with the insignificance of man, 2) but there is God in man, and therefore, the previous idea is refuted, 3) man is the center of the universe only thanks to God and the only thing that man should do is to strive to God. A certain opposition is built here: GOD - WORLD - I (you) (we).

However, the poet does not preach pessimism: life acquires a special value: Life is an instant gift from heaven. For Derzhavin, God is a principle that does not exist separately from nature. Thus, the poet adopts deism, developed by Herodotus and Kant. The existence of God is evidenced by: "natural order", that is, order, harmony, human striving for a subjective creative principle: "Your soul, perhaps, longs for ...". The images here are extremely emblematic and symbolic. The poem "Waterfall" (1791) is an example of a similar style. Here the image of a crumbling mountain becomes a symbol of the heroes' short-lived glory: “A mountain is falling like a diamond”. The waterfall itself (Kivach is a waterfall in Karelia) is the personification of the abyss, eternity, in which everything drowns. The image of the clock echoes in a similar way in the poem “On the death of Prince. Meshchersky ”.

A special role in the literature of the 18th century is played by the appeal to historical figures who are an example for a generation. According to the classicists, history is a vicious circle of recurring events, and therefore history hides within itself an abyss of parallels with the present. For Derzhavin, Belisarius is a slandered commander who is compared to “a certain gray-haired man,” that is, most likely, to Rumyantsev, who was unnecessarily removed from service.

The landscape deserves attention. In the 60s of the 18th century, Songs of Ossian, composed by the Scottish poet MacPherson, was published.

Their main heroes were King Fengal and his son Ossian. War and love were the main themes. A dark, colorful landscape stood out against the background of the narrative. Subsequently, such a landscape became known as "Ossian". Derzhavin borrows the gloominess of descriptions and the significance of allegories:

Under the tilted cedar down,

With this terrible beauty of nature,

On a fragile stump that dangles

From the cliff to the pits of water

I see - a certain gray-haired husband

Head bowed on the arm.

Spear and sword and great shield,

The wall of the fatherland of everything

And a helmet entwined with a dodder,

They lie in the moss at his feet: ...

Sits and, staring at the waters.

In deep thought argues:

“Isn't the life of men for us

Does this waterfall represent?

He is also the blessing of his jets

It gives water to the haughty, meek, and evil. etc.

So, God for Derzhavin is “the source of life,” not only spiritual life, but also life in the state, to which the poet has repeatedly addressed in his poems and odes not only as a citizen, but also as a “singer”, and a similar combination for classicism impossible.

As already mentioned, the ode of the 18th century does not tolerate stylistic confusion. However, let us turn to a comparative analysis of the vocabulary and style of the works of the classic of the genre, M.V. Lomonosov, and G.R.Derzhavin. In his "Ode to the Ascent ..." Lomonosov uses mainly sublime vocabulary: "seed beads", "porphyry", "marshmallow", "soul", "zrak", "paradise" and a pathetic style:

When she took the throne

As the Most High gave her a crown,

I returned you to Russia,

The war ended;

Priya kissed you:

I'm full of those victories, she said

For whom the current flows.

("On the day of the ascension ..., 1747")

Here are some excerpts from Derzhavin's "Felitsa": "godlike", "I smoke tobacco", "I drink coffee", "I am amused by barking dogs", "I play the fool with my wife."

Both poets give instructions to the ruler. Lomonosov describes the ideal queen: "This gentle voice is decent to divine lips, monarch."

Derzhavin, comparing and describing the author and Murza, again uses the antithesis, showing what a monarch should not be, at the same time asking Felitsa for guidance: "Give, Felitsa, guidance on how to live magnificently and truthfully." Lomonosov feels the superiority of the empress over herself and poetry:

Be silent, fiery sounds, and stop the light from swaying:

Here in the world Elisabeth has deigned to expand science ...

Behold the universe in silence ...

Lomonosov is a poet of the state subordinate to "Felitsa", who only praises her dignity. He silences even the “fiery sounds of poetry”.

Derzhavin, referring to Catherine (Felitsa - lat. Felix - happy), according to Belinsky, “combines the pathetic element with the comic ... which is nothing more than the ability to imagine life in its truth.” Not to mention that that the entire work is permeated with satirical allusions to high-ranking officials.

You read, write in front of the deposit

You don't play cards like this

Like me, from morning to morning ...

You don't like masquerades too much

And you can't even step into the bed;

Keeping customs, rituals,

You don't donkishot yourself;

You saddle a Parnassian horse,

You cannot enter the spirits in the assembly

Do not go from the throne to the East; ....

The monologue is formally pronounced by one person, the murza, but is this essentially so? The image of the murza is changing. When Felitsa is opposed to Murza, as a rule, there is a satire or a caustic allusion to many real facts "encrypted" in this poem. However, in pathetic moments, the image of the murza is as close as possible to the author's:

You just won't offend one

You don't offend anyone

You see the tomfoolery through your fingers

Only one cannot stand evil.

In satirical places, the image of the murza is a collective image of vicious servants:

Or music and singers

By organ and bagpipes all of a sudden,

Or fist fighters

And with a dance I amuse my spirit;

Or, take care of all matters

Leaving, I go hunting

And amuse myself with barking dogs

Or over the Neva banks

I amuse my horns at night

And rowing of daring rowers ...

Obviously, Lomonosov's “I” is extremely generalized in any genre, while Derzhavin's meaning of the lyric “I” varies on the basis of the theme.

The theme of classicism almost always presupposed an appeal to the great personality individually and to society as a whole, but even in this Derzhavin cannot be considered a direct follower of the leading figures of classicism; being devoid of servility, he stands out sharply from the general series of poets of this era that are in many ways similar.

The word in his works loses the flatness that was characteristic of the poetry of the 18th century, it acquires new tangible forms, becomes significant.

Bibliography

1) Derzhavin's texts were quoted from the book: G.R.Derzhavin Selected Poems; S.-Petersburg. ; edited by P. Blodd; 1913
2) Russian literary criticism of the 18th century. Collection of texts M., Sov. Russia, 1978
3) V.A.Nedzvetsky. Russian literary criticism of the 18th-19th centuries Course of lectures. M., Publishing house of Moscow State University, 1994
4) Zapadov A.V., Derzhavin, M., 1958
5) Brief literary encyclopedia, M., Sov. Encyclopedia, 1964

The poet Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich was born on July 3 (July 14), 1743 in the Kazan province into a family of impoverished nobles. He spent his childhood in the family estate in the village of Sokury. Since 1759 Derzhavin studied at the Kazan gymnasium.

In 1762, the future poet entered the service in the Preobrazhensky regiment as an ordinary guardsman. In 1772 he was promoted to ensign, receiving the first officer's rank. In 1773 - 1775, Derzhavin, as part of the regiment, participated in suppressing the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev.

Public service

In 1777, Derzhavin entered the government service in the Government Senate with the rank of state councilor. In 1784 - 1788 he held the post of the ruler of Olonets and then Tambov governorship. Even in a short biography of Derzhavin, it is worth mentioning that he was actively involved in improving the economy of the region, contributed to the formation of provincial administrative, judicial and financial institutions.

In 1791 Derzhavin was appointed cabinet secretary of Catherine II. Since 1793, the poet has served as the Empress's Privy Councilor. In 1795 Derzhavin received the post of President of the Commerce Collegium. From 1802 to 1803 he served as Minister of Justice.

last years of life

In 1803 Derzhavin retired and settled in his estate Zvanka in the Novgorod province. The poet devotes the last years of his life to literary activity. In 1813 Derzhavin, whose biography even during this period was full of trips, went to Ukraine with a visit to V.V. Kapnist. In 1815, he attended the exam at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, listening to the works of the young Alexander Pushkin.

On July 8 (July 20), 1816, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin died on his estate. The poet was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaam-Khutynsky monastery near Veliky Novgorod.

Creation

The work of Gabriel Derzhavin is considered the pinnacle of Russian classicism. The first works of the poet appeared during his military service. In 1773 Derzhavin made his debut in the journal Starina and Novizna with a translation of an excerpt from Iroiz, or Vivlida's Letters to Kavnus from the works of Ovid. In 1774, the works "Ode to Greatness" and "Ode to Nobility" were published.

In 1776 the first collection of the poet's poems "Odes translated and composed at Mount Chitalagoe" was published.

Since 1779, Derzhavin departed from the traditions laid down by Sumarokov and Lomonosov, and worked on philosophical lyrics. In 1782, the ode "Felitsa" was published, dedicated to Empress Catherine II, which brought the poet wide literary fame. Soon other famous works of Derzhavin appeared - "The Grandee", "Eugene. Life of Zvanskaya "," On the death of Prince Meshchersky "," God "," Dobrynya "," Waterfall "," Herod and Mariamna ", etc.

In 1808, a collection of Derzhavin's works in four volumes was published.

Chronological table

Other biography options

The Derzhavin family originates from the son of the Tatar Murza Bagrim, who bore the name Derzhava.
The first wife of G.R.Derzhavin was Catherine Bastidon - the daughter of the Portuguese Bastidon, the former valet of Peter III.
Derzhavin studied German from the age of seven, read in the original Klopstock, Gellert, Kleist, Haller, Hagedorn, which significantly affected his literary work.
Derzhavin's poem "Thunder of Victory, Thunder Out!", Written in 1791, became the first unofficial anthem of Russia.
For excellence in public service, Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich was awarded the order

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-1816) - an outstanding Russian poet of the 18th - early 19th centuries. Derzhavin's work was innovative in many ways and left a significant mark on the history of the literature of our country, influencing its further development.

The life and work of Derzhavin

Reading the biography of Derzhavin, it can be noted that the early years of the writer did not indicate that he was destined to become a great man and a brilliant innovator.

Gavrila Romanovich was born in 1743 in the Kazan province. The family of the future writer was very poor, but belonged to the nobility.

Young years

As a child, Derzhavin had to go through the death of his father, which further worsened the financial situation of the family. The mother had to go to great lengths to provide for her two sons and give them at least some kind of upbringing and education. There were not so many good teachers in the provinces where the family lived; they had to put up with those who could be hired. Despite the difficult situation, poor health, unskilled teachers, Derzhavin, thanks to his abilities and perseverance, was still able to get a decent education.

Military service

While still a student of the Kazan gymnasium, the poet wrote his first poems. However, he did not succeed in finishing his studies at the gymnasium. The fact is that a clerical mistake made by some employee led to the fact that the young man was sent to military service in St. Petersburg a year earlier, in the position of an ordinary soldier. Only ten years later he managed to achieve the rank of officer.

With his entry into military service, Derzhavin's life and work changed greatly. The duty of service left little time for literary activity, but despite this, during the war years Derzhavin wrote quite a few comic poems, and also studied the works of various authors, including Lomonosov, whom he especially revered and considered a role model. The poetry of Germany also attracted Derzhavin. He knew German very well and was engaged in translations of German poets into Russian, and in his own poems he often relied on them.

However, at that time Gavrila Romanovich did not yet see his main vocation in poetry. He aspired to a military career, to serve his homeland and improve the financial situation of his family.

In 1773-1774 Derzhavin took part in suppressing the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev, however, he did not achieve an increase and recognition of his merits. Having received only three hundred souls as a reward, he was demobilized. For some time, circumstances forced him to earn a living in a not entirely honest way - by playing cards.

Disclosure of talent

It is worth noting that it was at this time, by the seventies, that his talent was first revealed for the first time. "Chatalagay Odes" (1776) aroused the interest of readers, although in a creative sense, this and other works of the seventies were not yet completely independent. Derzhavin's work was somewhat imitative, in particular Sumarokov, Lomonosov and others. The strict rules of versification, which, following the classicist tradition, obeyed his poems, did not allow the author's unique talent to be fully revealed.

In 1778, a joyful event happened in the writer's personal life - he fell passionately in love and married Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon, who for many years became his poetic muse (under the name of Plenira).

Own path in literature

Since 1779, the writer has chosen his own path in literature. Until 1791 he worked in the genre of the ode that brought him the greatest fame. However, the poet does not simply follow the classicist examples of this austere genre. He reforms it, completely changing the language, which becomes unusually sonorous, emotional, not at all the same as it was in measured, rational classicism. Derzhavin completely changed the ideological content of the ode. If earlier state interests were above all, now personal, intimate revelations are also being introduced into Derzhavin's work. In this regard, he foreshadowed sentimentalism with its emphasis on emotionality, sensuality.

Last years

In the last decades of his life, Derzhavin stopped writing odes, love lyrics, friendly messages, and comic poems began to prevail in his work.

Derzhavin's work in brief

The poet himself considered his main merit to introduce into fiction a "funny Russian style", in which elements of a high and vernacular style were mixed, lyrics and satire were combined. Derzhavin's innovation was also in the fact that he expanded the list of themes of Russian poetry, including plots and motives from everyday life.

Solemn odes

Derzhavin's work is briefly characterized by his most famous odes. They often coexist with everyday and heroic, civic and personal principles. Derzhavin's work thus unites previously incompatible elements. For example, "Poems for the Birth of a Porphyry Child in the North" can no longer be called a solemn ode in the classicist sense of the word. The birth of Alexander Pavlovich in 1779 was described as a great event, all geniuses bring him various gifts - intelligence, wealth, beauty, etc. However, the wish of the last of them ("Be a man on the throne") indicates that the king is a man, which was not typical for classicism. Innovation in Derzhavin's work manifested itself here in a mixture of civil and personal status of a person.

"Felitsa"

In this ode, Derzhavin dared to address the empress herself and polemicize with her. Felitsa is Catherine II. Gavrila Romanovich presents the reigning person as something that violates the strict classicist tradition that existed at that time. The poet admires Catherine II not as a statesman, but as a wise person who knows his own path in life and follows it. Then the poet describes his life. Self-irony, when describing the passions that possessed the poet, serves to emphasize the merits of Felitsa.

"On the capture of Ishmael"

This ode depicts the majestic image of the Russian people conquering a Turkish fortress. Its strength is likened to the forces of nature: an earthquake, a sea storm, a volcanic eruption. However, she is not spontaneous, but obeys the will of the Russian sovereign, driven by a sense of devotion to the motherland. The extraordinary strength of the Russian soldier and the Russian people in general, his power and greatness were depicted in this work.

"Waterfall"

In this ode, written in 1791, the image of a stream, symbolizing the frailty of life, earthly glory and human greatness, becomes mainly. The prototype of the waterfall was the Kivach located in Karelia. The color palette of the work is rich in various shades and colors. Initially, it was just a description of the waterfall, but after the death of Prince Potemkin (who died unexpectedly on the way home, returning with a victory in the Russian-Turkish war), Gavrila Romanovich supplemented the picture with semantic content, and the waterfall began to personify the frailty of life and lead to philosophical reflections on various values. Derzhavin was personally acquainted with Prince Potemkin and could not help but respond to his sudden death.

However, Gavrila Romanovich was far from admiration for Potemkin. In the ode, Rumyantsev is opposed to him - this is who, according to the author, the true hero. Rumyantsev was a true patriot, caring about the common good, not personal fame and welfare. A quiet stream figuratively corresponds to this hero in the ode. The noisy waterfall is contrasted with the nondescript beauty of the Suna River with its majestic and calm flow, clear waters. People like Rumyantsev, living their lives calmly, without fuss and boiling passions, can reflect all the beauty of the sky.

Philosophical odes

The themes of Derzhavin's work continue the philosophical "On the Death of Prince Meshchersky" (1779) was written after the death of the heir to Paul. Moreover, death is depicted figuratively, it "sharpens the blade of the scythe" and "grinds its teeth." Reading this ode, at first it even seems that this is a kind of "hymn" to death. However, it ends with the opposite conclusion - Derzhavin encourages us to value life as an "instant gift from heaven" and live it so as to die with a pure heart.

Anacreontic lyrics

Imitating the ancient authors, creating translations of their poems, Derzhavin created his miniatures, in which the national Russian flavor, everyday life is felt, and Russian nature is described. Classicism in the work of Derzhavin also underwent its transformation here.

Anacreon's translation for Gavrila Romanovich is an opportunity to go into the kingdom of nature, man and life, which had no place in strict classicist poetry. Derzhavin was very attracted to the image of this ancient poet, who despises light and loves life.

In 1804, Anacreontic Songs were published as a separate edition. In the preface, he explains why he decided to write "light poetry": the poet wrote such poems in his youth, but published now because he left the service, became a private person and is now free to publish whatever he wants.

Late lyrics

One of the features of Derzhavin's work in the late period is that at this time he practically ceases to write odes and creates mainly lyrical works. The poem "Eugene. Zvanskaya Life", written in 1807, describes the everyday domestic life of an old nobleman who lives in a luxurious rural family estate. Researchers note that this work was written in response to Zhukovsky's elegy "Evening" and was polemic to the emerging romanticism.

Derzhavin's late lyric poetry also includes the work "Monument", which is filled with faith in human dignity despite adversity, life's ups and downs and historical changes.

The significance of Derzhavin's work was very great. The transformation of classicistic forms, begun by Gavrila Sergeevich, was continued by Pushkin, and later by other Russian poets.

The great Russian poet Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin was born in the Kazan province in 1743. After the initial home teaching of literacy, tsifiri and the German language, under the guidance of churchmen, the exiled German Roze, Lebedev and Poletaev, Derzhavin was sent to the Kazan gymnasium that opened in 1759. Here Derzhavin especially became addicted to drawing and fell in love with engineering. When the director of the gymnasium, M.I. Verevkin, presented the works of the best students, including Gabriel Derzhavin, to the curator Shuvalov, Derzhavin was declared the conductor of the engineering building. At the beginning of 1762, a demand came that Derzhavin should appear for service in the Preobrazhensky regiment. Shuvalov apparently forgot that he himself assigned Derzhavin to the engineering corps. Subsequently, Gabriel Romanovich did not have to replenish his education, and his absence is reflected in all of his poetry. He himself understood this; later he wrote: “I confess my defect is that I was brought up at that time and within those limits of the empire, when and where the enlightenment of sciences did not fully penetrate, not only on the minds of the people, but also on the state to which I belong ".

Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin

12 years of military service are the darkest and most dismal period in the biography of Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. At first, he had to live in the barracks, along with the soldiers. There was nothing to think about literary creation and science: only at night it was possible to read something and write poetry. Since Derzhavin did not have "protectors", he moved extremely slowly in the service. After the accession to the throne of Catherine II, Derzhavin asked Alexei Orlov himself for a promotion by letter, and only thanks to this he received the rank of corporal. After a year's leave, Gavriil Romanovich returned to St. Petersburg and from that time began to live in a barracks with the nobles. If the material conditions improved somewhat, then new inconveniences appeared. Derzhavin began to indulge in revelry and cards. After a second vacation in Kazan (1767), Derzhavin stopped in Moscow and spent about 2 years here. Here riotous life almost led Derzhavin to death: he became a sharper and indulged in all sorts of tricks because of money. Finally, in 1770, he decided to leave Moscow and change his lifestyle.

In 1772, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin received his first officer's rank. From that time on, he begins to withdraw from bad society, and if he plays cards, then "out of necessity for a living." In 1773 A. I. Bibikov was entrusted with the suppression of the Pugachev rebellion. For the production of investigative cases, Bibikov took with him, among other things, Derzhavin, at his personal request. Gavriil Romanovich developed a vigorous activity during the Pugachev era. At first, he drew Bibikov's attention with his investigation in the case of the surrender of Samara. While in Kazan, Derzhavin, on behalf of the nobles, composed a speech in response to the rescript of Catherine II, which was then published in St. Petersburg Vedomosti. In his actions, Derzhavin was always distinguished by a certain independence, which placed him high in the eyes of some of his superiors, but at the same time made him enemies among the local authorities. Derzhavin paid little attention to the position and connections of the persons with whom he dealt. In the end, the war with Pugachev did not bring external differences to Gabriel Romanovich, and he was almost subject to a military court.

Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Artist V. Borovikovsky, 1811

In 1776 through A. A. Bezborodko he submitted to the Empress a letter calculating his merit and asking for a reward. By a decree on February 15, 1777, Gavriil Romanovich was granted a collegiate councilor and at the same time received 300 souls in Belarus. On this occasion, Derzhavin wrote "Outpouring of a grateful heart to Empress Catherine II." Six months after his resignation, Derzhavin, thanks to his acquaintance with the Prosecutor General A.A. Vyazemsky, received the position of executor in the Senate. In 1778 Derzhavin married Katerina Yakovlevna Bastidona. The marriage was successful; the aesthetic feeling of his wife did not remain without influence on the work of Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. In 1780 Derzhavin was transferred to the post of adviser to the newly established expedition of state revenues and expenditures. By order of Vyazemsky, Derzhavin wrote a code for this institution, which was published in the complete collection of Zap. (XXI, 15 - 120). Disputes with Vyazemsky forced Derzhavin to leave his service in the Senate and retire (1784) with the rank of a full state councilor.

By this time Derzhavin had already acquired a glorious literary name in society. Gavriil Romanovich wrote while still in the gymnasium; in the barracks he read Kleist, Gagedorn, Klopstock, Haller, Gellert and translated "Messiada" in verse. The first original work to appear in print in 1773 was an ode to the first marriage of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich. Upon his return from the Volga region, Derzhavin published Odes translated and composed at Mount Chitalagai. There were, in addition to translations of the ode To the death of Bibikov, To the nobles, To the birthday of Her Majesty, etc. Derzhavin's first works were imitations of Lomonosov. But Derzhavin in his work did not succeed at all with the soaring and unnatural manner that distinguished Lomonosov's poetry. Thanks to the advice P. A. Lvova, V.V. Kapnist and I.I.Khemnitser, Gavriil Romanovich refused to imitate Lomonosov and took Horace as an ode. "Since 1779," Derzhavin writes, "I have chosen a very special path, guided by the instructions and advice of my friends." Derzhavin placed his odes mainly in the St. Petersburg Bulletin without a signature: Songs to Peter the Great (1778), epistle to Shuvalov, To the death of Prince Meshchersky, Klyuch, To the birth of a porphyry youth (1779), To absence of the empress in Belarus "," To the first neighbor "," To the rulers and judges "(1780).

All these works, with their sublime tone, brilliant, vivid pictures, drew the attention of literary lovers to Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin, but not society. In the latter, Derzhavin became famous for the famous "Ode to Felice" (see full text, summary and analysis), published in the first book "Interlocutor of lovers of the Russian word" (1783). Derzhavin received for her a snuffbox, showered with diamonds, with 50 ducats. "Felitsa" put Derzhavin high in the opinion of Catherine II, the court and the public. In "Interlocutor" Derzhavin published "Gratitude to Felitsa", "Vision of Murza", "Reshemysl" and, finally, "God" (see the summary and full text). With the last poem, Derzhavin reached the climax of his glory. At the very establishment of the Russian Academy, Derzhavin was elected a member of it and took part in the dictionary of the Russian language.

In 1784 Derzhavin was appointed ruler of the Olonets governorship, but Derzhavin immediately began to have troubles with the governor Tutolmin, and a year and a half later the poet was transferred to the same position in the Tambov governorship. Gavriil Romanovich held the post of Tambov governor for about 3 years. With his energetic activity, Derzhavin brought benefit to the province, introduced more serviceability in the administration of recruitment, improved the structure of prisons, and fixed roads and bridges. But here, too, the independent course of action, Derzhavin's irascibility provoked an argument with the governor. In 1788 Derzhavin was put on trial and obliged to not leave Moscow, where the case was to be conducted. In 1789 the Moscow Senate, having considered Derzhavin's case, found that he was not guilty of any abuse of office. Seeing the gracious attitude of the empress, who approved the decision of the Senate, Derzhavin wrote the ode "The Image of Felitsa", and, turning to the patronage of the new favorite Platon Zubov, dedicated to him the odes "On Moderation" and "To the Lyre." The ode To the Capture of Ishmael, written at the same time, was a great success. Gavriil Romanovich received a snuffbox of 200 rubles. When Potemkin arrived in Petersburg, Derzhavin had to maneuver between the two favorites. The death of Potemkin on the banks of the Prut caused one of the most original and majestic poems in Derzhavin's work - "Waterfall". Derzhavin's rapprochement with Dmitriev and Karamzin dates back to this time; the latter attracted him to participate in his "Moscow Journal". Here Derzhavin placed "A Song to a House Loving Science" (Count Stroganov), "On the Death of Countess Rumyantseva", "Majesty of God", "Monument to a Hero".

In 1796 Derzhavin was ordered to be with the Empress when accepting petitions. Gabriel Romanovich did not manage to please her: in life he could not flatter so subtly as in poetry, was irritable and did not know how to stop reports unpleasant to Catherine II during the time. In 1793 Derzhavin was appointed senator for the land surveying department, and a few months later he was also given the post of president of the commercial college. In his senatorial activity, Derzhavin was distinguished by his extremely intransigence to those opinions that he considered incorrect. And since his love of truth was always expressed in a harsh and rude form, here too Derzhavin had many official grievances. The wife of Gabriel Romanovich died in 1794; He dedicated the elegiac poem "Swallows" to her memory. Six months later, Derzhavin entered into a new marriage with D. A. Dyakova. In 1794 Derzhavin wrote the ode To Nobility, dedicated to the praise of Rumyantsev, and To the capture of Ishmael. His last odes during the life of Catherine II were: "For the birth of Queen Gremislava" (message to Naryshkin), "The Athenian knight" (Alexei Orlov), "Ode for the conquest of Derbent" (in honor of Valerian Zubov), "For the death of a benefactor" ( I. I. Betsky). Finally Derzhavin presented Catherine II with a handwritten collection of his works, prefaced by him with the "Tribute to the Monarchine." Even before the death of the Empress, Derzhavin wrote "Monument" (see the summary and full text), in which he summarized the significance of his poetry. The epoch of Catherine II saw the flowering of Derzhavin's talent and its main significance in the poems of this era. Derzhavin's poetry is a monument to the reign of Catherine II. "In this heroic age of Russian history, events and people with their gigantic dimensions exactly corresponded to the boldness of this original fantasy, the scope of this wide and wayward brush." A whole epic of the era lives in the work of Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin.

Derzhavin's creative activity dwindled. In addition to epigrams and fables, Gavriil Romanovich began to write more tragedies. He himself was sure of their dignity, but in fact, Derzhavin's dramatic works are below criticism. (Dobrynya, Pozharsky, Herod and Mariamna, Atabalibo, etc.). The discourse on lyric poetry, read in the Conversation, dates back to 1815. Derzhavin already considered it necessary to comment on his works and himself made "explanations" to them. Feeling the need to find out the real nature of his biography and official activity, so rich in vicissitudes, Derzhavin wrote Notes published in Russkaya Beseda in 1812; they caused an unfavorable impression with their subjective assessment of persons and events. In this last period of his life, following the spirit of his time, Derzhavin tried to give a place to the folk language in his work. The awakening of the study of the Russian nationality caused Derzhavin's pseudo-folk ballads and romances (Tsar Devitsa, Novgorod wolf Zlogor). The most successful of these poems was "To the Ataman and the Don army." Derzhavin, even in retirement, did not stop responding to the events taking place around him (On Peace 1807, Complaining, Lyroepic hymn to drive out the French, etc.). In retirement, Derzhavin lived in the winters in St. Petersburg, and in the summer on his estate in Novgorod province. "Zvanka". Gabriel Romanovich described his village life in a poetic message to Evgeny Bolkhovitinov. Derzhavin died in Zvanka on July 8, 1816.

In the 19th century, Derzhavin's creative style seemed outdated. Aesthetically, the poems of Gabriel Romanovich amaze with their amazing chaos: amid rhetorical pathos, we also discover the brilliance of real poetic talent. In the same way, the language of Derzhavin, abundant in popular speech, achieves extraordinary smoothness and lightness in some poems, in others it becomes unrecognizable in its severity. From a historical and literary point of view, the ode to Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin is important in that it introduced elements of simplicity, joke and vitality into the strained and far from life Lomonosov ode. His work reflected his clear satirical mind, his ardent disposition, common sense, alien to any morbid sentimentality and cold abstraction.

Criticism's views on Derzhavin changed. After the reverence that surrounded his name, there came a period of denial for him of any meaning. Only the works of D. Groth written before the revolution on the publication of the poet's works and biography made an impartial assessment of his work possible.

G.R. Derzhavin is one of the famous Russian poets, as well as a prominent political figure of his time.

Gabriel was born in 1743 in the Kazan province. His father, a nobleman and a major, passed away early, so Derzhavin was brought up only by his mother.

The beginning of his education is passable at home, then he begins to study at a German boarding school, after which he enters the Kazan gymnasium. Upon completion, he is sent to serve in the army. He began his service in the Preobrazhensky regiment, in 1762 he took part in a coup d'état.

Gabriel begins his writing career in the 70s; his poems were first published in 1773. In the literary sphere, he is the founder of a new direction - philosophical lyrics.

After some time, Derzhavin decides to leave military service for civilian service. He worked for a short time in the Senate, then, on behalf of the empress, became the governor of Olonetsk, and then - Tambov. Derzhavin fought with the bureaucracy, tried to defend the interests of the common people, which is why the officials did not like it and often changed jobs. At 60, he decides to retire and devote his life to creativity. He becomes an honorary member of literary communities and an active poet of the time.

In 1816 G.R. Derzhavin dies.

Detailed biography

The fate of Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin is amazing: from an ordinary ordinary soldier, he climbed the career ladder to the Minister of the Russian Empire. He served as governor of two regions and was a personal adviser to Catherine II.

Born in 1743 near Kazan in the family of a poor nobleman, Gabriel could not dream of a brilliant education. His father passed away early, the boy grew up in the village of Sokury in the family estate.

As a sixteen-year-old youth, Derzhavin enters the Kazan gymnasium, the world of poetry of Lomonosov, Sumarokov opens up before him, he tries to start writing poetry.

In 1762 Derzhavin entered the Preobrazhensky regiment as an ordinary guardsman. He received his first officer rank of ensign after 10 years of service. Since 1773, for two years, Gavriil Romanovich participated in hostilities against the uprising of E. Pugachev. Being engaged in office work at the headquarters, he had the opportunity to touch the primary sources of the events of that time, therefore, his notes became an invaluable contribution to the study of the history and course of events of the peasant war. In the same period, the first poetic works of Derzhavin appeared in the world.

Having retired in 1777, Gavriil Romanovich went to work as State Counselor of the Government Senate. A year later, he married sixteen-year-old Catherine Batidon, with whom he had been married for 17 years, until the sudden death of his wife.

Since 1784, for a year and a half, Gavriil Romanovich held the post of governor in the Olonets province. During his short reign, he made a great contribution to the development of the province: the first city hospital was built and opened, a system of city judicial, financial and administrative institutions was introduced. The period of his life is reflected in the works of the poet "The Tempest", "Waterfall", "Swan".

From 1786, for another two years, Derzhavin held the post of governor of the Tambov province, where, on his initiative, a printing house, a theater, and educational institutions were opened.

The active life position of the poet helped in moving up the career ladder. Since 1791, Gavriil Romanovich has served as the empress’s cabinet secretary, two years later he becomes her secret adviser, two years later he is appointed president of the Commerce Board by Catherine II, and from 1802, upon his retirement, he becomes minister of justice. All these years the poet did not stop creating. In 1791 he wrote the first anthem of Russia. During Derzhavin's lifetime, a four-volume edition of his works was published.

After completing his civil service, Derzhavin moved with his second wife Daria to his estate Zvanka in the Novgorod province. The family did not have children, and since 1800 they took on the education of the children of the deceased friend of the poet P. Lazarev. One of the sons Michael would later become the discoverer of Antarctica.

The remaining period of his life Derzhavin devoted to literature, he founded the literary circle "Conversations of lovers of the Russian word." The great writer died in 1816.

Option 3

Gabriel Derzhavin - great literary figure, Russian politician

Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin was born on July 14, 1743 to a family of an insolvent noble family. His ancestors were Tatars who left the Horde lands in the 14th century. As a result, they served the Russian princes. His father died as a child. The mother could not pull the family out of the difficult financial situation. The boy was brought up by priests who taught him to count and write. At the age of 7, he becomes a student of the Orenburg boarding school. Gabriel's academic performance was satisfactory. But he had no equal in knowledge of foreign languages. He spoke German especially well. As a result, the family moved to Kazan, where Derzhavin entered the local gymnasium.

The moment of studying at the gymnasium is a turning point in the life of the future poet. It was there that he became addicted to literature. He read the works of Lomonosov, Sumarokov and Trediakovsky. In addition, he liked fine arts. The first attempts at writing for him were unsuccessful. As a result, he was called up to serve in the Preobrazhensky regiment. The army years were painful for Gabriel. A palace coup, in which Derzhavin had to participate, was added to the permanent teachings. It was with him that Catherine II ascended the Russian throne. Time for literature and their own creativity was sorely lacking. Nevertheless, the young man found minutes to compose his own poems. In parallel with this, he is fond of gambling, for which he was stripped of his rank and expelled from the regiment.

Derzhavin decides to start a new life and in 1770 leaves for the capital. Subsequently, he was sent to suppress the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev. During this time he wrote the ode "Felitsa" and the poems "Waterfall", "God" and "The Vision of Murza". After defeating the dissidents, Gabriel took up the post of collegiate counselor. Because of his straightforwardness, the Empress transferred him to the Senate. He had a sea of enemies who hated him for his freethinking. He denounced every official and minister. As a result, he was exiled to the Olonets and Tambov governorships. There, the writer is in charge of leadership and management. During his stay in these territories, theaters, schools, shelters and hospitals were built. For his merits, he was returned back to the capital. By the end of his life, he was already working in the Ministry of Justice. Derzhavin's first wife, with whom he lived for 18 years, died safely. After her death, he marries Daria Dyakova. 1803 Gabriel buys an estate near Novgorod and leaves there with his family, where he devotes time to his hobbies.

In 1815, Gabriel attended the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, where he acted as an examiner. There he met Alexander Pushkin, for whom Derzhavin was a real idol. It was on the model of his verse "Monument" that the great figure of Russian literature wrote his work, which became a reference. On July 20, 1816, Gabriel Derzhavin died on his own estate for an unknown reason.

Grade 7, Grade 9.

Biography by dates and interesting facts. The most important thing.

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