What did Mikula Selyaninovich do. Heroes of Slavic mythology: Mikula Selyaninovich

Name: Mikula Selyaninovich

A country: Rus

Creator: Slavic epics

Activity: rich man, plowman

Family status: married

Mikula Selyaninovich: character history

The famous fairy-tale characters, whose images seem familiar from childhood, have a long history. Warriors and heroes from legends told by grandparents are not just representatives of traditional folklore, but characters that embody the spirit and traditions of the great Russian people. Heroes of epics are endowed with remarkable talents for protection native land. In the string of mighty warriors there is a place for Mikula Selyaninovich.

History of creation

Mikula Selyaninovich is a hero sung in an epic called "Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich". The epic was composed over several centuries, as the legend underwent changes and was passed from mouth to mouth in various interpretations. The characteristics of the heroes are accurately conveyed in the version composed in the north of the country after the collapse of Kievan Rus. It is not known how the description of Mikula was composed, but Volga (Oleg) Svyatoslavovich is a real historical person. The prince was the king's cousin and grandson.

In the epic there is no unity of place, time and action. It involves the description of fictional events involving fairy tale characters, but the etymology of the word indicates that some episodes were in fact.

The narrative describes the meeting of two heroes: the prince and the peasant plowman. The first goes to war, and the second, a plow hero, cultivates the land. A simple peasant is presented in a noble guise. This well-groomed man in clean clothes and a painted caftan. Mikula is wearing green heeled boots and a puffy hat. Such attire did not correspond to the usual clothes of a plowman, who was accustomed to working with the earth and exhausting work. But a stately hero, according to the traditions of the epic, must have a beautiful outfit, and this rule is observed.

The specificity of the epic "Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich" lies in artistic techniques. It includes elements of an archaic language and numerous repetitions. Through colorful epithets, the details of the attire, character traits of the characters, and the life around them are described. In the epic, the images of the peasant and the warrior are opposed to each other.

At the same time, the work of a simple tiller is put higher, because a plowman could be called to defend the homeland at any moment, and not everyone is given to work on the land. There is also a version that the images of two deities, patrons of agriculture and hunting, are contrasted in the legend.

The motive for praising the work of plowmen is clearly described in the episode when Prince Volga orders the squad to take up the bipod. The warriors cannot master it, and Mikula Selyaninovich copes with the task at once.

A hero who is able to bypass the squad is a real defender of the Russian land and its tiller. The writers of the epic speak kindly, affectionately about the hero. It is noteworthy that throughout the story the hero is called nothing more than oratay. And only in the final is revealed the name of Mikula. The hero talks about his achievements without boasting.

Biography and plot

In the epic about Mikul Selyaninovich, the main actors two characters became: he himself and Prince Volga. The first meeting takes place when, according to the behest of Vladimir Monomakh, three cities pass into the possession of Oleg. The prince goes to inspect the possessions. On the way of the squad, a stately hero is encountered, which can be seen from afar, but it turns out to get to the curious character only after three days and three nights. Hyperbole of this kind shows popular admiration for the hero.

Mikula is a plowman. He cultivates the land with ease, uprooting stumps and stones with a wooden plow adorned with precious stones. Mikula's mare is hung with silk tugs, and the hero's outfit itself does not look like a simple peasant dress. It becomes clear that the reader is facing a hero for whom diligent plowing is entertainment.

Mikula Selyaninovich is presented in the image of a hero revered in Rus' most of all. Holidays were dedicated to the work connected with the earth, traditions and legends are associated with it. Mikula - folk hero, the patron of the peasantry was considered its prototype.

This image was the personification of the Russian farmer. Therefore, the creators of the epic do not mention the name of the hero’s father: Selyaninovich is combined with the word “village”, which means that the simple Russian people were the parent.

Mikula is the owner of a complaisant character and a kind soul, a generous and hospitable person. Without it, the princely warriors are not even able to pull out a light fry, which means that the royal power is based on the strength of the plowman. Rus' stands on a simple village peasant who feeds the people and protects his homeland from misfortunes.

Heroic strength does not make Mikula a braggart. The hero is modest and calm, does not climb on the rampage and just communicates with the prince. A conflict-free character is his own everywhere. He pleases others, knows how to work and relax well.

Orthodox Rus' is famous for humility and forgiveness, but it is always able to defend its honor and protect its neighbor. In the episode of the attack of robbers demanding pennies, it is clear that the righteous Mikula is ready to endure and show loyalty to the last. Having lost his temper, he will be able to reason with rivals by force. The biography of heroes is rarely described in detail. It is often not clear who the hero was before the heroic strength woke up in him. Sometimes it is not even known where he was born. But the main exploits for which the characters became famous were passed down in detail from mouth to mouth, being considered national treasure, and supported the spirit of the Russian people, who needed defenders.

Heroic strength is one of the favorite plots visual arts. Pictures written in the same manner told about the exploits and travels of Russian heroes. Among the admirers of Russian folklore were painters and Ryabushkin.

Mikula Selyaninovich. A. P. Ryabushkin. 1895

Mikula Selyaninovich - hero-plowman in epics Novgorod cycle. His unusual name most often associated with the colloquial variant, formed from Nicholas. However, something in between the names Nikolai and Mikhail is not excluded.

Mother Earth Cheese herself gave birth to Mikula, which is why his main gift is to lift the “earthly burden”, and more than any of the heroes can do such a feat. From the glorious plowman comes a whole family of heroes: his daughter Vasilisa is the wife of Stavr Godinovich, and the second daughter Nastasya is the wife of Dobrynya Nikitich. However, red girls are famous not only for their heroic husbands, but also for their own exploits.

BOGATYR-PLOWER

Mikula Selyaninovich is a symbol of peasant strength, and this power is inexhaustible. The earth itself gave birth to him. He regularly sows and plows. There is no way to fight him, because "Mother Cheese Earth loves the whole Mikulov family." When the hero Svyatogor cannot take the bag, which contains the "earthly burden", it is Mikula who easily lifts it with one hand.

BOGATYR-HOLY

Some researchers of Russian epics associate the image of Mikula Selyaninovich with Nicholas the Wonderworker. For example, it is believed that the feast of St. Nicholas of the Spring, which is celebrated on May 9, was Mikulin's day.

One can cite as an example the veneration of the Thundering Thunder, which later turned into the honoring of Ilya Gromovnik, and the worship of Volos - St. Blaise. One of the proofs is the fact that the Greeks did not have the spring holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. That is, the Russians timed it to the day of the Mother of the Holy Land, May 10. They revered her son Mikula, who was most loved by peasants and farmers among the Russian heroes.

GOOD WORKS

Mikula Selyaninovich. N. M. Matorin. Early 20th century

All epics about Mikul Selyaninovich emphasize his relationship with the Russian stronghold. Mother's favorite son Raw Earth, which in legends is called "oratayushko", is endowed with inexhaustible strength by the parent. And therefore, no one can defeat Mikulushka.

Mikula and Svyatogor. According to one of the epics about Svyatogor, the mighty hero could not raise the sum of Mikula Selyaninovich. In it lay the "burden of the earth", which the mighty peasant himself raised with one hand.

Mikula and Volga. At that time, when the princes of Kyiv ruled the Russian land, they sent their trusted servants to collect tribute from cities and villages. Volga Svyatoslavovich was chosen as one of the envoys. On the way he met a young man of unprecedented strength: plowing the field with his plow, he twisted stumps out of the ground, and dumped huge stones in a heap.

And as soon as the conversation began, the plowman warned Volga: "The restless path ahead, the road is full of dashing people and robbers." And Volga decided to take the mighty young man as his companion. Yes, as soon as they drove off, the plowman remembered that he had left his plow on the field. Volga sent a squad for her, but all his soldiers at once could not pull the plow out of the ground. The plowman returned himself and raised the plow with one hand. And then he admitted that he was Mikula Selyaninovich:

I am a simple peasant, prince. I plow the land. I feed Rus' with bread.

The legendary personality of the Russian plowman-bogatyr Mikula Selyaninovich is known from the epics of the Novgorod cycle. The image of the protagonist is filled with spiritual strength, courage, love for his native land.

Historical image of the hero

Mikula Selyaninovich was a plowman endowed with remarkable strength and, according to epics, he was the only one who could lift the "earthly thrust". It embodies collective image Russian peasantry, where leading role play hard work, respect for the motherland, steadfastness and steadfastness in front of enemies. Home vital value for the national hero is his tool of labor - a plow, and favorite hobby- plow. Before the power of the plowman, the magical forces and the power of the princes, the strength of the entire squad, fade. The labor prowess of Mikula Selyaninovich glorifies ordinary Russian people who are alien to laziness and weakness, who work on a grand scale from dawn to dawn.

The main life value for the national hero is his tool of labor - a plow, and his favorite pastime - plowing. Before the power of the plowman, the magical forces and the power of the princes, the strength of the entire squad, fade.

Characteristics of the main qualities

The main qualities of the peasant Mikula Selyaninovich are incredible physical strength, dexterity, love of work, spiritual purity, concern for the Russian land, and tirelessness. Unlike the well-known images of defending heroes, Mikula directs his immense strength into a peaceful direction, into fertile soil.

He proudly performs his work and sings joyfully during arable land. It is a great honor for the glorious hero to work the mother earth every day, so he comes to the field in elegant attire and is always neat. Mikula is thrifty. Having once forgotten a plow in a furrow, he returns for it, in a businesslike way, worrying that a passer-by does not take it away.

The hero of epics has an expressive appearance: thick curls, black eyebrows, clear falcon eyes. The plowman is characterized by a reverent attitude towards his mare, he raised her from a foal and takes care of her, takes care of her daily. The peasant is distinguished by hospitality: at the end of the arable season he will gladly gather guests at home, give the peasants to drink his own beer. In describing the abilities of a worker, one can note the exaggeration of qualities, these exaggerations once again emphasize the love of the people for Mikula.

Character of Russian epics

Novgorod epics, glorifying the image of the Russian plowman, are known to many since childhood. These are Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich and Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich.

According to the plot of the first epic, Prince Volga and his retinue are sent to Russian cities, transferred to his possession by Prince Vladimir. Having met in the field with the plowman Mikula, he admires his strength and power, offers to go with them to resist the robbery. The peasant agrees. At the end of the epic, the strength of the prince and his squad, who could not pull the plow out of the furrow, is contrasted, and the heroic power of the simple Mikula, who pulled out the plow effortlessly. There is an alternative version of the ending, where Mikula, having set off on a journey, becomes the governor in one of the cities, saving Volga's life.

In another epic, the extraordinary strength of the Russian worker is compared with the abilities of the giant Svyatogor. The epic character of ancient Russian mythology, Svyatogor, is many times larger than Mikula in size and power, but is not able to catch up with the plowman in the field at work and cannot cope with his earthly burden.

The personality of the epic hero Mikula Selyaninovich occupies a worthy place among the works of Russian folklore and causes pride among contemporaries for the unshakable spirit and hard work of the Russian peasantry.

(wife of Dobrynya Nikitich)

Mikula Selyaninovich- the legendary plowman-hero in Russian epics of the Novgorod cycle.

Etymology

The name Mikula is a folk form of the name Nikolai; possibly the result of a contamination with the name Michael.

The image of the hero-plowman

The hero personifies the peasant strength; you can’t fight him, because “the whole Mikulov family loves Mother Earth Cheese”.

According to one of the epics, he asks the giant Svyatogor to pick up a bag that has fallen to the ground. He is not up to the task. Then Mikula Selyaninovich lifts the bag with one hand, saying that it contains "all the burden of the earth."

Mikula Selyaninovich, according to folklore, had two daughters: Vasilisa and Nastasya (wives of Stavr and Dobrynya Nikitich, respectively), who are also the central heroines of epics.

Epics dedicated to Mikula: “Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich”, “Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich”.

Mikula and Nicholas the Wonderworker

Connection of the Christian Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker with epic hero Mikula Selyaninovich. An interesting version of the connection with the day of the folk calendar, St. Nicholas, is given by P. I. Melnikov in 1874:

The smerd (peasant, farmer) honored Mikula most of all ... He, the drinker, he, the gracious breadwinner, and he celebrated the holidays more honestly and more often ... He was honored with feasts and dining at brachins - Mikulshchina.

Just as the veneration of Thunder the Thunderer during the introduction of Christianity was transferred to the veneration of Ilya Gromovnik, and the veneration of Volos, the cattle god, to Saint Blaise, so the veneration of orata Mikula Selyanynych was transferred to the Christian saint - Nicholas the Wonderworker. That is why in Rus' most of all Nicholas the Merciful is celebrated. The spring holiday to Nicholas the Wonderworker, which the Greeks do not have, was borrowed by the Russians from the Latins to coincide with the feast of the Mother of the Raw Earth, who loves "Mikula and his kind." Mikule's celebration coincided with Mother Earth's name day. And so far two folk holiday they converge nearby: the first day of " Mikula with food" (May 9, according to the old style), the other day (May 10, according to the old style) " name day of the Mother of Raw Earth".

daughters

• • Vasilisa Mikulishna- wife of Stavr Godinovich
  • Nastasya Mikulishna- Dobrynya Nikitich's wife

see also

Write a review on the article "Mikula Selyaninovich"

Notes

Literature

• Melnikov-Pechersky P.I. . - 1874.
• / Petrukhin V. Ya. // Mythological Dictionary / ch. ed. E. M. Meletinsky. - M. : Soviet Encyclopedia, 1990. - p. 358. - ISBN 5-85270-032-0.

Links

• . Retrieved March 16, 2009. .
• // Biographical Dictionary. 2000.

An excerpt characterizing Mikula Selyaninovich

While the sixth anglaise was being danced in the hall at the Rostovs' to the sounds of tired musicians who were out of tune, and the tired waiters and cooks were preparing dinner, the sixth stroke took place with Count Bezukhim. The doctors announced that there was no hope of recovery; the patient was given a deaf confession and communion; preparations were made for the unction, and the house was full of fuss and anxiety of expectation, common at such moments. Outside the house, behind the gates, undertakers crowded, hiding from the approaching carriages, waiting for a rich order for the count's funeral. The Commander-in-Chief of Moscow, who constantly sent adjutants to learn about the position of the count, that evening he himself came to say goodbye to the famous Catherine's nobleman, Count Bezukhim.
The magnificent reception room was full. Everyone stood up respectfully when the commander-in-chief, having been alone with the patient for about half an hour, left there, slightly answering the bows and trying as soon as possible to get past the eyes of doctors, clerics and relatives fixed on him. Prince Vasily, who had grown thinner and paler these days, saw off the commander-in-chief and quietly repeated something to him several times.
After seeing off the commander-in-chief, Prince Vasily sat alone in the hall on a chair, throwing his legs high over his legs, resting his elbow on his knee and closing his eyes with his hand. After sitting like this for some time, he got up and with unusually hasty steps, looking around with frightened eyes, went through a long corridor to the back half of the house, to the elder princess.
Those who were in the dimly lit room spoke in an uneven whisper among themselves and fell silent each time, and with eyes full of question and expectation looked back at the door that led to the chambers of the dying man and made a faint sound when someone left it or entered it.
“The human limit,” the old man, a clergyman, said to the lady who sat down next to him and listened naively to him, “the limit is set, but you can’t pass it.”
– I think it’s not too late to unction? - adding a spiritual title, the lady asked, as if she did not have any opinion on this matter.
“A sacrament, mother, great,” the clergyman answered, running his hand over his bald head, along which lay several strands of combed half-gray hair.
- Who is this? Was he the commander in chief? asked at the other end of the room. - What a youthful! ...
- And the seventh ten! What, they say, the count does not know? Wanted to congregate?

The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich is studied as part of the literature program in the seventh grade. It was during this period that the guys get acquainted with the epic genre. We will learn more about this hero later.

Plot

Epics in their content are very reminiscent of a fairy tale. In them we find events fictitious by the author, but it cannot be argued that he himself main character never existed. If you think about the etymology of this word, then we will find a common root with the word "truth". This means that this character once really struck his contemporaries with his strength and power. So was Mikula.

But the beginning in the epic tells us not at all about him: the first person the reader meets is Prince Volga. He is strong, wise, has a huge army. Uncle Vladimir puts three cities at his disposal. Now the prince is going with his retinue to check his new possessions. On the way they meet a plowman. Volga really wants to get to know him, but for three days and three nights they cannot get to him. This one is so huge that it is visible from afar, but quite difficult to reach. The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich should include this moment. The people exaggerate their hero, deliberately singling him out among ordinary people.

First meeting

Finally, the prince with his army drives up to this hero. There is no limit to his surprise: the oratay (as the plowman was called in Rus') cultivates the land. But he has remarkable strength: he easily uproots stumps from trees, and throws huge stones into the furrow. The reader immediately understands that before him is not an ordinary person, but a hero. It is given to him easily, he whistles under his breath, not feeling tired.

Mikula's tool of labor cannot but surprise. He does not have an ordinary bipod, which is used to plow the land. It is decorated with expensive metals: yellow and red gold. The obags on it are made of damask steel, a strong and reliable metal. A filly that helps the plowman to carry out land work, with silk tugs, which at that time was a very expensive fabric.

External characteristics of Mikula Selyaninovich from the epic "Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich"

Undoubtedly, the prince was also struck by the attire of the hero. The most ordinary plowman looks rich. He has gorgeous curls that people compare to pearls. The eyes of the hero are like those of a falcon. As you know, the falcon is a bird that has excellent eyesight and strength. Mikula's eyebrows are as black as sable. The reader immediately imagines a serious and strong husband.

The clothes are made of expensive fabrics. For example, the caftan is made of expensive and luxurious material - black velvet. Not every rich person could afford it. But after all, the hero cannot be dressed differently. He wears boots with heels, which was considered very fashionable and prestigious at the time. The material from which they are made is morocco. This is a very high quality and expensive item. External characteristic Mikula Selyaninovich from the epic is very important in describing the image of this hero. It is not for nothing that he is so handsome and chic: the people represent the hero as ideal in all plans.

The feat of the hero

Volga spoke to the oratay, told him where he was heading. In response, Mikula tells him about his exploits, warns him against danger. However, we do not observe any boasting. The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich from the epic "Volga and Mikula Selyaninovich" necessarily contains information that the hero does not notice his strength, considering his exploits to be a common thing.

Oratay told the prince a story about how he went to the city for shopping. He bought three bags of one hundred pounds of salt. A simple calculation will show us that the total mass of his goods is more than five tons! Of course, the technique of so-called hyperbolization is used here. The author deliberately exaggerates his abilities in order to reflect the heroic power.

When Mikula is going home, robbers approach him and demand money. But the plowman does not get into a squabble with them, he gives them "pennies". However, the men do not back down, they ask for more and more. Mikula has to deal with them with his fists. It turns out that the hero laid down more than a thousand bandits. This story impressed Volga. He wants to see such a strong husband among his squad.

Strength and power

The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich continues with an analysis of the heroic capabilities of Mikula. A brief note about this hero gives us an idea of ​​all the simple peasants of that time. It was on them that the Russian land was held.

The plowman agrees to go with the prince "for pay." However, he feels sorry for his fry.

The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich with quotations reflects his speech: he leaves his tool of labor “not for a passer-by”, but for an ordinary “peasant peasant”. These words reflect the attitude of the hero towards his fellow peasants.

In order to hide the bipod "behind the willow bush", Volga sends five of his strongest warriors. But these strong guys cannot cope with this task, it is impossible to “lift a fry out of the ground”. Then, according to the principle of trinity, Volga sent his guys twice more, but even a myriad of them could not do what the Russian peasant is capable of.

Mikula "took the bipod with one hand" and pulled it out without difficulty.

Special Features

The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich will be incomplete if you do not talk about his horse. Like any hero, the horse is the first assistant in labor. As we learn at the very beginning, our hero's filly is a "nightingale". This epithet denotes its light color. She is as strong as her master. The author deliberately compares the horses of Volga and Mikula. The bogatyr’s horse is already walking with a “quick step”, while the prince’s horse is barely keeping up with it. The first one has already accelerated and “chest” went, the second one is lagging behind. Volga never ceases to be surprised here. He estimates Mikula's horse at five hundred rubles, only on the condition that it would not be a mare, but a horse. To which the simple-hearted peasant replies that he himself fed and raised her, and therefore she has no price.

The characterization of Mikula Selyaninovich reflects this hero as a very good-natured, simple and sympathetic person. He never boasts of his exploits, as if not noticing them.

He promises to treat all the peasants with his own rye beer, which speaks of his generosity.

In conclusion, Volga was so imbued with the boldness and innocence of this man that he decides to make him governor in the cities donated by his uncle. The robbers, beaten by him three days ago, became ashamed and came to the hero with apologies.

Conclusion

We have presented complete characteristic Mikula Selyaninovich. Grade 7, who studies this work according to school curriculum, will be able to use our advice and describe his own impression that this epic hero made.