The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics (briefly)

All the work of Lermontov is a detailed poetic diary, in which the author expressed his attitude to life, peace and creative writing. The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics is one of the main. Like others, this topic is inseparably linked with the motive of loneliness, misunderstanding and suffering.

Poems dedicated to this topic

The most relevant is the theme for the poet in the second period of his work. The death of Pushkin painfully affected the attitude of Lermontov. The work "The Death of a Poet" is not only the greatest example of poetry, but also opens a new stage in Lermontov's creative work. The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics is usually also studied in such verses as "The Prophet", "The Poet", "The Journalist, the Reader and the Writer".

Analysis of the poem "The Prophet"

In literature, as in any other art, one can not do without continuity. "Prophet" Lermontov is a kind of continuation of the Pushkin poem. However, in Mikhail Yuryevich it is painted in a darker color. Let's try to compare these two works, what do they have in common? First, the poetic gift in both of these poems is regarded as a gift from God. The poet is equal to the prophet, that is, he carries the word of God on earth, he knows the truth. He is available and subject to all the elements ("the creature is submissive to me there," we read from Lermontov).

However, if Pushkin depicts the very moment of the transformation of the ordinary man into a poet, Lermontov begins already from the moment when man is transformed. The theme of the poet and poetry in the lyrics of Lermontov and Pushkin is treated differently. Alexander Sergeevich hopes that he will burn the verb of people's hearts, Lermontov does not have this hope. From the prophet, his lyrical hero turns into an exile, despised by people. An incomprehensible crowd accuses him of pride, while he bears "the truth of pure learning." Lermontov is right, people can hardly recognize their mistakes and see their vices. Angry, they drive the poet away. And in solitude, in the bosom of nature, he feels harmony.

"Poet": brightness of symbols and features of constructing a poem

Another vivid poem in which the theme of the poet and poetry is realized. In Lermontov's lyrics there are a lot of bright images that find their continuation in the form of allusions and reminiscences in subsequent literary works. It is a famous sail, a solitary cliff, a leaf and others. Another image is a dagger, which means a poetic gift. The beginning of the poem "Poet" is unusual. It is not about poetic creativity at all, but about a dagger that served its master faithfully, but, unfortunately, after his death, he lingered for a long time in a shop, and then was bought by someone, hung on the wall as an accessory. But he has a different purpose. His idol was created for battles, for fights and hikes, and not for being a shiny toy. And here begins the second part of the poem. The reader becomes clear why this poem is about poetry. After all, like this dagger, the poet ceased to play an important role in the life of contemporaries. And it's not only him who is to blame, but also the society that is accustomed to listening to the sweet lies that please the rumor of speech. But once the poet's voice was significant, he was listened to, he was afraid. The poem ends with a rhetorical question in which Lermontov expresses the hope that one day the "mocked prophet" will wake up for revenge and take out his blade.

"Journalist, reader and writer"

Even the title of the poem reminds Pushkin - "The conversation of the book seller with the poet", in form it also represents a dialogue. And this is a vivid example of how the theme of the poet and poetry is realized in Lermontov's lyrics. The summary of the poem can be expressed in the following words: in modern times poetry has lost its former power, it has become empty and useless. In part, it echoes with the poem "Poet". After all, in it the lyrical hero Lermontov again asks the question:

"When in Russia is barren,
After parting with a false tinsel,
Thought will acquire a simple language
And a noble voice? "

This desperate cry of the poet, who was sent into exile for his boldness in poetry, is his hope that once in Russia they can think and write freely.

"Death of the poet" as a turning point in the writer's work

For this work Lermontov was sent into exile. From this moment in his poems there will be no youthful maximalism, categorical. Now they will be more sad and heartfelt. Loneliness will deepen and intensify. As for the work itself, Lermontov accuses the modern generation of greed, lowland, and art misunderstanding. The crowd wove dirty gossip around the poet's holy name, not realizing that thereby destroying him. Along the way, Lermontov also raises the topic of censorship, referring to the persecution of Pushkin.

What does poetry mean for Lermontov?

So sad is the theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics! The poems mentioned above are not the only ones. In many works of the author the idea that a poetic gift becomes a curse for him sounds. For example, in the early poem "Prayer", he calls creativity "a burnt fire." His thirst to write poetry becomes unbearable, it destroys the lyrical hero.

There was one more bright early work, called "Poet" ("When Raphael is inspired"). This is one of the first poetry experiments of Lermontov. A special sound is acquired in him by the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics. Poems written by the lyrical hero, soon forgotten, he himself is cooling towards them. Lermontov compares literature with painting: an inspired artist, creating his own creation, falls before him, but after a couple of days it becomes indifferent to him. This is a kind of attempt to comprehend the essence of inspiration. Under his influence, the poet is subject to everything, but as soon as this feeling goes away, he forgets the "heavenly fire."

The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics (briefly)

Summarizing, it should be said that for Lermontov, poetic creativity is first and foremost God's gift. He is not just given to him, not trained, not trained. He sent down for the poet to bring truth to people. However, sometimes this gift turns into a curse, because in the modern world people can not heed the poet's voice. They do not take poetry, because they have too much truth, too many exposing words. The fear of condemnation and exile forces many poets to abandon their true destiny and become a "useless toy." However, Lermontov is not himself. He to the last believes that there will come a time when the poet's strength will be as great as in the past. When his words "as the spirit of God" will be worn over the crowd and inspire her to act, when the word can reach the hearts, reveal to them the truth. And the truth is simple - in love for one's neighbor, for one's land, in kindness and understanding. In that, which was so lacking in the life of the poet himself.

The theme of the poet and poetry in Lermontov's lyrics is very deep and multifaceted. A lesson in grade 9, where the attitude of two poets, Lermontov and Pushkin, to this theme is compared, will help to better understand the problem. Also, this topic is addressed in the 10th grade, during the repetition.