Living entity
In the introduction, as well as in the excerpts of the story where natural phenomena are described, the author’s attitude towards the world around him is clearly visible. Nature is endowed with human traits and inherent qualities; it actively takes part in the events that occur in life.
Throughout the story, nature is a separate character. In the hands of the author, it turns into a kind of instrument for expressing his thoughts, feelings, and relationships. Playing the role of an active person, she supports the Russian warriors, acting as their assistant and supporter, worries and worries about the fate of the Russian people. In the description of the defeat of Igor’s troops, nature expresses its grief with drooping grass and a tree bending towards the ground itself.
The role of nature in “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”
The description of nature is present in most works of literature, and in each it is assigned a certain role. In “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign,” grass and trees, rivers and steppes, animals and birds, the Sun and the Wind not only show feelings characteristic of humans, but also strive to come to the rescue of the heroes.
Solar eclipse, morning blood dawns... Despite the fact that the Russian troops twice disobey what is much wiser and older than the entire human race, nature still does not punish Prince Igor for disobedience, but helps his escape.
The natural resources of our vast Motherland are fully reflected in the wonderful work of ancient Russian literature - “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”. The description of vast natural spaces reveals the fullness and power, beauty and generosity of the Russian soul, the ability to empathize and sympathize, as well as the desire to free the native land from the encroachments of enemies at all costs.
Author: Anastasia Morozova
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The relationship between man and the world around him
“The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” blurs the lines in the relationship between man and Russian nature. Birds and animals represent certain qualities of people. A person is compared to:
- eagle;
- cuckoo;
- raven;
- tour.
There are very few literary works in which human events and natural changes are closely intertwined. Such interactions enhance the significance of events and show their drama. The close union of man and the surrounding world, described in the work, is for the author a unique source of poetic techniques, a special design in the description of all events.
The relationship between the image of nature and man
When the loving wife of the commander Yaroslavna appeals to Russian nature in “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign,” it means the sun, wind, grass and earth as a single whole. She begs her to help and receives sympathy in response. The connection between nature and man in the poem is very close. Nature influences everything that happens in human life, it adds significance and a little drama.
When the moment of battle with the Polovtsy comes, nature appears in all its immense beauty of the steppes. She, being a living creature, feels all the pain and bitterness. Nature even has its own behavioral changes when a battle ends in defeat. Nature is saddened, sadness comes over it. And all of Rus' plunges headlong into common grief.
Perhaps there is not a single similar literary creation where the author so brilliantly described nature and its influence on the destinies of people. Human lives in this poem are closely connected with the image of nature. It can be concluded that the author is closely related to her.
Description of the second battle
In the episodes of the second battle of the Russian army, a considerable place is devoted to depicting the state of nature, expressing the attitude towards the events taking place. The author conveys his emotional tension, noting the appearance of bloody dawns, black clouds accompanied by blue lightning coming from the sea. Based on these natural signs, the author concludes in the quote that “there will be great thunder.”
Reading these lines, everyone sees the inevitability of defeat. In the work, the author shows his attitude and political opinion that any enemy can be repulsed only by uniting common efforts.
At the very beginning of the work, the reader notices the active participation of nature in the events taking place. The prince is just about to set out on a campaign with his army, when suddenly a solar eclipse occurs. This is a sign of unfavorable and terrible events. During the campaign of Igor and his squad, nature gives signs predicting their defeat:
- the trees make noise and bend from the terrible wind;
- birds scream loudly and anxiously;
- wild animals are noticeably worried.
The role and specificity of the images of nature in “The Lay” are clear from Igor’s first battle. Nature warns the prince that this adventure is very doubtful, she asks him to turn the army back and protect it from terrible losses. However, the main character does not perceive these signs of nature and continues to lead his army forward.
Describing the last great battle of Igor’s army, the author again uses nature to enhance the effect of defeat. The sun suddenly disappears, the sky is instantly covered by dark clouds and impenetrable haze and darkness covers the Russian soldiers. This is how the writer shows the doom of the regiment; even the sun left the soldiers without its support.
Igor’s army is defeated, nature grieves with him, experiencing a feeling of despondency from huge losses, mourning those who died and were taken into captivity. Together with Yaroslavna she grieves from great grief:
- all the grass turned black;
- the trees bent to the ground;
- the flowers have withered.
Nature is compared to a mother sobbing in inconsolable grief at the loss of her sons in a senseless slaughter. When Igor escapes from captivity, natural forces help him. The episode of the escape is described very vividly and figuratively: the birds, animals and trees are silent, so as not to betray the prince, only the woodpeckers, with their knocking, show the fugitive the way home. When Igor returns to his home, Mother Nature rejoices along with everyone, showing the appearance of the bright sun.
Nature in the work not only gives warning signs and shows its feelings and attitude to what is happening. In some episodes she is a character. Yaroslavna turns to nature as her ally and main protector. She asks the bright Sun, Wind and native Dnieper for help to the captive Igor. Yaroslavna's cry is a prayer addressed to her native places. She conjures all her strength to help Igor escape from captivity.
And nature hears Yaroslavna’s prayers , she assists her husband and creates the necessary conditions for his escape. For the prince, the Donets spreads soft grass on its banks and sways with its quiet waves. He helps Igor by covering him with thick fog and covering him with the canopy of trees. The prince successfully escapes from captivity, the nightingales greet him with their singing, and the woodpeckers show the way home with their ringing knocks.
The prince receives help from his native nature, even despite mistakes, terrible defeat and human losses. Donets glorifies Igor and justifies him. The sun appears in the sky upon the prince's successful escape.
Union of man and nature
In the work that interests us, the boundaries between man and nature are erased. People are often compared to animals and a raven, falcon, aurochs. It is difficult to name a work where changes in nature and events in people's lives would be so closely intertwined. And this unity enhances the drama and significance of what is happening. The union of man and nature, unfolded with great force in the work, is a poetic union. For the author, nature is an inexhaustible source of poetic means and a kind of musical accompaniment that gives the action a strong poetic sound.
Color symbolism
In the work, the author very actively uses symbolism. A certain color helps to understand the psychological meaning and semantic load at first glance. During the Middle Ages, a similar design was often used as a symbol. This is especially evident in icon painting. This technique has not been used as often in the literature.
However, some colors have specific meanings. Black always represents tragic and terrible events. This is a symbol of evil, grief, darkness. Heavenly, blue color is an expression of higher powers.
The hopelessness of Prince Igor is emphasized by black lightning and dark blue clouds. The dark color of the lightning expresses the upcoming gloomy outcome, and the blue symbolizes an omen, a certain sign sent from heaven. Blood, pain, gory events and suffering were always indicated in red.
Describing the terrible battle and its consequences, the author uses scarlet shades to express the state. Shades of green always mean calm, while light and joy are tinged with silver. All these combinations are used by the author when describing Igor’s escape from captivity.
Symbolism of color
The symbolism of color plays an important role in describing nature. It helps us discover its semantic meaning. The colors that predominate in the image of a particular landscape have a certain psychological load. The Middle Ages were generally characterized by the perception of color as a symbol. This manifested itself very clearly in icon painting, but it was also reflected in literature. The color black, for example, is used to depict tragic events. It symbolizes darkness and is a manifestation of the forces of evil. Blue is the color of heaven. In his works he personifies higher powers.
Blue clouds and black lightning tell us that darkness is coming. They indicate the hopelessness of the situation. Blue acts as a kind of sign from above. Suffering, blood symbolizes the color red. That is why the author uses it when describing nature during the battle and after it. Green symbolizes calmness, and silver symbolizes joy and light. Therefore, the author uses them to depict the escape of Prince Igor.
Ways to express the author's thoughts
The writer expresses his feelings, thoughts, attitude to what is happening and political views using descriptions of natural phenomena. When Igor makes a decision about the upcoming hike, nature shows in every possible way its negative attitude and opposition to this decision. When successfully escaping from captivity, nature comes to Igor’s aid, greets him, helps him get to Kyiv and repent before the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav.
“The Lay of Igor’s Campaign” is one of the most striking works of literature of Ancient Rus'. The author's talent is emphasized by his ability to create an image of his native land that is alive and vibrant, and to play with colors. The artistic skill with which the author describes the picture of the Polovtsian steppe plain suggests that the description is based on the memories of an eyewitness to the events or even a participant in the campaign.
Knowing what the role of nature is in a work, it will not be difficult to write an essay. When analyzing the story, 9th grade students must highlight images of nature in their essay. After all, she is closely connected with the Russian people. It is worth correctly perceiving the role of the natural world in the image system and listening to signs, then it will be possible to avoid many fatal mistakes in modern life.
Expression of the author's thoughts
The description of nature in “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” helps the author to poetically and vividly express his political views and thoughts. When Igor decides to go on a hike on his own, nature gives a negative assessment to this decision. It's as if she's going over to the enemy's side. During the escape of Igor, who is in a hurry to “bring his guilt” to the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav, nature helps him. She happily greets him when he manages to reach Kyiv.
One of the best works of ancient Russian literature is “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” The image of Russian nature presented in it testifies to the great artistic skill and talent of the author. The picture of the Polovtsian steppe, vividly depicted by him, is evidence that the work was created by an eyewitness of it, perhaps even a participant in Igor’s campaign.
