
ACADEMIC JOURNAL
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ISSN 2542-1077 (Print) ISSN 1994-5973 (Online) |
Russian language. Languages of the peoples of Russia |
| Rozhkova A. V. | Petrozavodsk State University |
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Keywords: Feofan Prokopovich diachronic rhetoric rhetorical figures tropes Russian literary language of the XVIII century |
Summary: This study underscores the importance of a comprehensive study of Feofan Prokopovich’s literary le-
gacy, including texts that have not previously been subjected to linguistic or rhetorical analysis. The text of the sermon
“Revelation of the Great Antichrist Who Was Prophesied Before in the Words of God and Came into This World Long
Ago” (“Revelation”), composed between 1735 and 1736, is an example of such a neglected text. As one of the final
works written by Prokopovich, it reflects the widespread schismatic belief that the Antichrist had manifested among the
sovereigns suppressing the schism. The primary aim of this research is to describe the rhetorical techniques employed
in the text, focusing on their organizational features and functional roles. Research methods include review-analytical,
lexico-stylistic, descriptive, and contextual analysis. The findings reveal that the depiction of the Antichrist’s features
(“characteristics”) is achieved through a diverse array of rhetorical devices. The most frequently used are the figures of
“teaching” (epithet-based hypotyposis, repetition, and rationalization) and figures that evoke “enjoyment” (metaphors,
antitheses, allegories, and hyperbaton). The use of these rhetorical tools is characterized by moderation, with a notable
absence of ornate verbal embellishments, which, according to researchers, is consistent with Prokopovich’s stylistic tendencies. Importantly, the rhetorical devices in this sermon serve not only an aesthetic purpose but also function as integral elements within the text’s evidentiary system. |
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Displays: 23; |