Meshkova, K. N. THE GENESIS OF THE JESTER IN OREST SOMOV’S SHORT NOVEL HAIDAMAKA. Proceedings of Petrozavodsk State University. 2021;43(5):103–108. DOI: 10.15393/uchz.art.2021.643


Literary studies

THE GENESIS OF THE JESTER IN OREST SOMOV’S SHORT NOVEL HAIDAMAKA

Meshkova
K. N. 		Lomonosov Moscow State University
Keywords:
Orest Somov
Shakespeare
jester
romanticism
Shakespearism		 Summary: The tradition of depicting jesters as carriers of hidden wisdom and unique human qualities has had a rich history of study, but this issue has not been suffi ciently studied on the material of Russian literature. The article analyzes the image of the jester in Orest Somov’s short novel Haidamaka and examines its typological parallels with the jester from William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. In the course of the analysis, the images of the colorful Shakespearean hero and Somov’s Ryabko are compared, and related plots and motifs are revealed. The image of the jester in Shakespeare’s and Somov’s stories diff ers from the traditional folklore representation in the texts of fi ction: the role of the hero is expanded and does not just complement the plot anymore, his actions become full-fl edged driving forces in the literary works. There are also typical comical motifs associated with it, but they are shifted to the background. Following Shakespeare, Somov portrays his hero as a witty, daring and sincere person, making him an exponent of the people’s voice. At the same time, Ryabko is endowed with a more selfl ess and sensitive character, he has completely new features, which is very diff erent from the jesters in folklore or in the Renaissance literature: this is a philosophical type of personality, sensitive and ironic, yet at the same time resolute and ready to defend their beliefs.



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