Gavrila Derzhavin
Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin (Russian: Гаврии́л (Гаври́ла) Рома́нович Держа́вин, IPA: [ɡɐˈvrilə rɐˈmanəvʲɪtɕ dʲɪrˈʐavʲɪn] (
listen); 14 July 1743 – 20 July 1816) was one of the most important Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin. He was also a statesman. His works are usually thought to be literary classicism. However, his best verses have many antitheses and conflicting sounds. This writing is similar to John Donne's works and other metaphysical poets.
Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gavrila Derzhavin by Vladimir Borovikovsky | |
| Born | Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin 14 July 1743 Laishevsky Uyezd, Kazan Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 20 July 1816 (aged 73) Zvanka manor, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Occupation | Poet, statesman |
| Period | Neoclassicism |
| Signature |  |
Works
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Derzhavin is remembered most for his odes. He did not pay attention to genres, which were common in odes at the time. He would use humor, satire, and elegy in his odes. For example, in his grand ode to the Empress, he says that he searches for fleas in his wife's hair. He also compares his own poetry with lemonade.
Unlike other Classicist poets, Derzhavin chose his details carefully. For example, he wrote the colour of the wallpaper. He thought that the French language was about harmony, while Russian was about conflict. He sometimes used alliterations. However, he sometimes purposefully used the cacophonous effect in his writings.[1]
References
change- ↑ Klier, John (1986). Russia Gathers Her Jews: The Origins of the "Jewish Question" in Russia, 1772-1825. Dekalb, Illinois: Northern Illinois University Press. pp. 95–115. ISBN 9780875801179.
Other websites
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- Works by Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin at Project Gutenberg
- Collection of Poems by Gavrila Derzhavin (English Translations)
- Illustrated timeline Archived 2010-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
- Acrostic - How Mighty Time Strives Like A River (English Translation)
- Luba Golburt, "Derzhavin's monuments: Sculpture, Poetry, and the Materiality of History", Toronto Slavic Quarterly 13, Summer 2005, retrieved 23 October 2006.