Russian heroic epic

If myths are sacred knowledge, thenthe heroic epic of the peoples of the world are important and reliable information about the development of the people, expressed in the form of poetic art. And although the epic develops from myths, it is not always so sacred, because changes in the content and structure of the narrative occur on the path of transition. An example is the heroic epic of the Middle Ages or the epics of Ancient Rus expressing the ideas of social justice, glorifying Russian knights defending the people, glorifying outstanding people and the great events connected with them.

In fact, the Russian heroic epic has becomecalled epic only in the XIX century, and until then it was folk "antiquities" - poetic songs, glorifying the history of the life of Russian people. The time of their addition some researchers attribute to the X-XI centuries - the period of Kievan Rus. Others believe that this is a later genre of folk art and it belongs to the period of the Moscow state.

Russian heroic epic embodies idealscourageous and devoted to their kind heroes, fighting with enemy hordes. The mythological sources include later epics, describing such heroes as Magus, Svyatogor and Danube. Later appeared three heroes - the famous and beloved defenders of the Fatherland.

These are Dobrynia Nikitich, Ilya Muromets, AlyoshaPopovich, who represent the heroic epic of the Kiev period of the development of Russia. These antiquities reflect the history of the formation of the city itself and the reign of Vladimir, to which the bogatyrs went to the service. In contrast, the Novgorod epics of this period are devoted to blacksmiths and guslar, princes and noble farmers. Their heroes are amorous. They have a quirky mind. This is Sadko, Mikula, who represent a bright and sunny world. Ilya Muromets stands on his guard at his outpost and leads his watch at the high mountains and dark forests. He fights against evil forces for the sake of good on Russian soil.

Each epic hero has his own character trait. If Ilya Muromtsu heroic epic gives a great power, like Svyatogor, then Dobrynya Nikitich, in addition to strength and fearlessness is an outstanding diplomat, capable of defeating a wise snake. That's why Prince Vladimir entrusts him with diplomatic missions. Unlike them, Alyosha Popovich is cunning and savvy. Where he does not have enough strength, there he cunning into business. Of course, these images of heroes are generalized.
Bylins have a subtle rhythmic organization, and theirthe language is melodic and solemn. As art means there are epithets, comparisons. Enemies are ugly, and Russian heroes are grandiose and sublime.

People's epics do not have a singletext. They were transmitted orally, so they varied. Each epic has several options, reflecting specific subjects and motives of the terrain. But miracles, characters and their reincarnations in different versions are preserved. Fantastic elements, werewolves, resurrected heroes are transmitted on the basis of the historical representation of the people about the world around them. It is unambiguous that all epics were written in times of independence and power of Russia, therefore the era of antiquity has a conditional time here.