History of creation
The dramatic work was written by Mikhail Yuryevich in 1835. Initially the play consisted of three chapters. Later, the author added a fourth act, covering the unpleasant ending of the previous version (Nina’s death). Lermontov dreamed of seeing drama on the theater stage, so he submitted the work to the dramatic censorship. At that time, the department was headed by the chief of gendarmes Benkendorf.
The text of the writer's work came under censorship. Too strong passions were not acceptable then. The censor was outraged by the fact of misunderstanding and, in some way, ridicule of costume balls in Engelhardt’s house. The work was returned to the creator for revision. Lermontov did not want to radically change the concept and plot, so he simply added a fourth act . A new character burst into the contents - an unknown one. Through the image of a hero, fate punishes Arbenin.
The second edition also did not pass censorship. The enraged writer overhauls the work, resulting in a new work that is consonant with the name of the main character. Censorship does not allow the play to pass even in this form. Most likely, the reason for the triple refusal was the mention of Nastasya Pavlovna’s name in all versions, which would have opened the public’s eyes to the real incidents underlying the plot of the work.
Now only the second edition is known to the world; other attempts on paper have not survived. Reading the play in its entirety is sometimes inconvenient because it is written in verse. A summary of all four chapters will help the reader more easily understand the material, presented in simple words.
The final
The unknown is another character with whom M. Yu. Lermontov enriched “Masquerade”. The summary of the actions does not contain information about him until the very last act of the play, but at the end it becomes clear that the evil that was once created returned to Arbenin: he once brutally beat this man at cards, and now he has returned to enjoy the collapse of his offender . The unknown person directly accuses the poisoner of murder, and Zvezdich first hides, but then appears and also joins in the angry speech, challenging Evgeniy Alexandrovich to a duel. He deals the final blow to the killer’s psyche by presenting a written testimony from Baroness Shtral, in which she sets out the true events and testifies to the innocence of Arbenin’s late wife.
From such a flow of information and awareness of his own, unjustified cruelty, the main character loses his mind. He seeks sympathy from the Unknown, but, of course, he is rudely pushed away. He rushes to the coffin of his victim, his beloved and virtuous wife.
The unknown is satisfied with his revenge, the seeds of future troubles are ripening in him. Unhappy Zvezdich, he is “forever deprived of peace and honor.”
Characters
Since the work is written in the form of a play, there are many main and minor characters. You can get to know them better by reading the drama in its entirety. In a brief summary, when filling out a reader’s diary or writing an essay on Lermontov’s “Masquerade,” it is enough to reflect only the images of the characters:
- Evgeniy Aleksandrovich Arbenin is a wealthy nobleman trying to gain freedom from the rules of modern society, showing his rebellious spirit and intelligence.
- Nina is Evgeniy’s wife with a tragic fate.
- Zvezdich is a prince who loves to play cards.
- Shtral is a baroness, Nina's friend.
- Afanasy Pavlovich Kazarin is a deceiver who fuels the protagonist’s jealousy.
Also in the work, an important role is played by such characters as an official, a mask, players, guests, and servants. At the center of the event is the hero of the dramatic play, Arbenin, endowed with intelligence, great will and considerable material resources.
As a representative of high society, he has been associated with high society since his appearance. The central character fails to achieve the desired freedom due to a fatal mistake.
Scene 3
Arbenin returns home. The servant reports that Nina promised to arrive at twelve o’clock, but it’s already “two o’clock.”
Arbenin recalls the “sins of bygone days,” how he “stupidly ruined his youth,” how “hard and boring life was for him.” But everything changed after marriage. Arbenin married a beautiful, gentle woman, whom he unexpectedly fell in love with:
"Like a lamb of God to the slaughter,
I brought her to the altar.”
Arbenin’s wife, Nina, returns home. The woman does not understand why her husband misses her when they are apart, and when they meet, he begins to grumble. If Arbenin had wanted, she would have given up the light for him and gone to the village.
Eugene replied that his love was different, after marriage it was as if he had been “resurrected to life and goodness.” However, sometimes he is “carried away into the storm of former days,” at such moments he is “silent, stern, gloomy” and is afraid of frightening Nina with something.
Kissing his wife’s hands, Arbenin notices that one is missing a bracelet and asks where it went. The woman replies that it is lost: “there is no great trouble in this.” Arbenin becomes suspicious and orders the carriage to be searched. The servant reports that there is no bracelet in the carriage and that it was probably lost at the masquerade. Arbenin arranges a scene of jealousy for his wife and wants revenge. Nina is frightened by his words.
Brief retelling of the play
The work begins with a game of cards. They play bank at the table. Evgeniy Alexandrovich saves the reputation of Prince Zvezdich. Together the men go to a masquerade, where Arbenin’s wife Nina is already there. The prince meets a mysterious woman (a friend of Evgeniy’s wife). gives the attractive young man a bracelet as a souvenir of the flirtations and acquaintance . The decoration, as it turns out, actually belonged to Nina.
Arbenin notices the loss. The jealous husband begins to accuse Nina of obscenity, as if she were the lady. To dispel unfounded speculation, the desperate wife goes to Baroness Strahl, who was hiding under a mask that evening. At this time, the nobleman finds a letter addressed by Zvezdich to Evgeniy’s wife. Almost every representative of St. Petersburg secular society learns about “treason.” Arbenin wants to kill the prince and punish his unfaithful wife.
Another ball ends in tragedy. A jealous man puts poison in a bowl of ice cream for his wife. He bought the poison in his youth, when he lost badly at cards and wanted to take his own life. Arriving home, Nastasya Pavlovna (Nina) tries to explain everything to her husband. He loves her, wants to believe her, but jealousy clouds his eyes . The heroine dies from poisoning.
A stranger and Zvezdich enter the house of the central character. Both want to avenge the unfortunate woman, because in their hands is a letter of exculpation from the baroness. Having learned the truth, Evgeniy Alexandrovich goes crazy.
Summary of the play “Masquerade” by Lermontov
Brief summary of the play by M.Yu. Lermontov Masquerade
ACT ONE
Scene one
Exit first
Players, Prince Zvezdich, Kazarin and Shprikh. At the table they are throwing around the pot and ponting... They stand around.
There is an intense game of cards going on. The players sit at the table, and the rest are observers of the spectacle that tickles the nerves. Prince Zvezdich, Shprikh and Kazarin are sitting at the table. They are immersed in the game, commenting on it. The prince is told to be angry and to play more calmly. It is clear from the dialogue that Zvezdich is inexperienced in the game - he is losing. Shprikh offers to borrow money for the prince.
Exit two
Arbenin and others. Arbenin enters, bows, approaching the table, then makes some signs and leaves with Kazarin.
Kazarin chides Arbenin for forgetting his company. Eugene declares that from now on he is only interested in love, and playing cards is a thing of the past. Kazarin recommends Shprikh to Arbenina as the right person. The insightful Evgeniy, looking at Shprikh, remarks: “The portrait is good, but the original is bad!”
Arbenin communicates with Prince Zvezdich - they previously knew each other. The prince says that he has lost and asks for advice. Arbenin wants to help Zvezdich, deciding to win back for him.
While the game is going on, in which Arbenin is participating, Kazarin tells Shtrikh about him. Previously, Evgeniy was a master of the game, but now he is married, although he looks humble, he is “the same beast.” Evgeniy won and Zvezdich was saved. They both decide to go have fun at Engelhard's masquerade party.
Exit three
The same, except for Arbenin and Prince Zvezdich.
The players' conversation continues. Shprikh is interested in Arbenin’s personality. Having heard that he and Zvezdich went to the masquerade, he plans to follow them.
Scene two
Masquerade
Exit first
Arriving at the masquerade, Arbenin feels boredom and lack of interest - his heart is cold and his imagination is asleep. The motley crowd is noisy and having fun, but everything seems alien to Arbenin.
Looking at the prince, he is interested in his successes. Zvezdich has not yet decided. Arbenin tells the prince that there is no need to wait for happiness, but that he must act on his own. The prince sees only “stupidity” under the masks, but Eugene does not agree, considering the masquerade mysterious and mysterious.
Exit two
Prince and woman's mask.
A charming mask approaches Zvezdich and says that she knows him. They talk sweetly, slightly teasing each other. The mysterious stranger is clearly flirting with him. Zvezdich is intrigued by the beautiful lady, but playfully suggests they go their separate ways. Suddenly the stranger says that the masquerade is a long-awaited occasion for her to meet the prince. Despite this confession, she reports that she will soon dissolve like a ghost, disappear.
The woman under the mask gives an apt description of the prince, telling a lot about him. She says she doesn't need confessions. The main thing for her is that he needs to remain silent about this meeting and not look for her, and not find out anything about her.
Exit three
Meanwhile, Arbenin has a most unpleasant conversation with a man whose face is hidden by a mask. The stranger prophesies to the main character that something very bad will happen to him that night.
Exit four
The observant Shprikh wonders what kind of stranger approached him. Arbenin laughs it off. Shprikh says that Evgeniy was apparently playing a joke on the stranger, because he was walking and swearing. Then Arbenin greatly hurt Shprikh’s pride by hinting that his beautiful wife was unfaithful to him. Shprikh is furious.
Exit five
1st mask, one. The 1st mask enters quickly in excitement and falls on the sofa.
Mask, who was flirting with Zvezdich, is confused. She is excited and thinks about what to do. The woman does not dare to open up to him, she wants to keep this secret. She remembers that Zvezdich asks her for a keepsake. He looks at the ring, but thinks that giving it as a gift is a big risk. Suddenly he sees a lost bracelet right in front of him. Examining the found jewelry with gold enamel, she is going to give it to Zvezdich as her own thing.
Exit six
Zvezdich again finds his stranger in the crowd. He shows strong interest in her. The mask says that he loves him, but reproaches him that he wants too much. She gives the bracelet to him as a keepsake.
Exit seven
The prince is impressed by his meeting with a stranger. Arbenin is also thinking about something of his own. Evgeniy remembers the strange meeting and tries to understand who this evil prophet was. The prince tells Arbenin about his sudden happiness. He also talks about the bracelet. Evgeniy takes the bracelet in his hands, examines it, and says that he saw the same one somewhere. Then, as if driving away an awkward thought, he says that he doesn’t remember. The prince is nervous, he definitely wants to find the one with whom he communicated. He and Arbenin are walking around, looking for a stranger.
Scene three
Exit first
Evgeny Arbenin enters; servant
Returning home, Arbenin recalls the impressions of the previous evening - the masquerade, the bustle, advice to the prince in love. Evgeniy is glad that the evening, which brought him no interest, is over. He asks the servant where Nina, his wife, is. She promised to return at twelve, but it’s already “one o’clock.”
Exit two
Arbenin is nervous and remembers the sins of his youth. He believes that he is being punished by a just God for past mistakes.
It used to be that other people’s wives were waiting for me, but now I’m waiting for my wife.
He recalls his youth, which passed empty and idle. He was loved by many women, but he never loved himself. Therefore, in order to put an end to this meaningless life, Arbenin decided to get married.
Get married... in order to have the sacred right to love absolutely no one in the world.
He found himself a wife, submissive and tender. Unexpectedly for himself, Arbenin realizes that he loves her. Realizing this happy circumstance, Evgeny felt a strange feeling - he was horrified. He understands that love promises his stormy nature many strong impressions. And Evgeniy is worried about this.
Exit three
Arbenin and Nina. Nina tiptoes in and kisses him on the back of his forehead.
The wife appears in the room. Nina sees that he is not in a good mood. She says that if Evgeny wants, then she will forget about all the balls and move to live with him in the village. Seeing his wife’s sincere joy, Evgeny calms down. He eloquently tells her how much he loves her. His monologue is full of strong and vivid statements. It is clear that he simply idolizes his wife, but Nina gets tired of his suspicion and frequent dissatisfaction.
In a fit of feeling, Arbenin pressed his lips to his wife’s hand. He suddenly saw that she was not wearing a bracelet. Evgeniy finds out where he went. Nina is surprised that such a trifle as a bracelet gives rise to such strong emotions in her husband. The wife says that she lost it, perhaps in the carriage, but does not see any harm in it.
Eugene immediately orders the carriage to be searched, but the servant does not find the bracelet. The servant assumes that the bracelet was lost at the masquerade.
Exit five
The same, except for the servant.
Passions are running high in Arbenin. Why did Nina hide the fact that she wanted to have fun at the masquerade? He would take her there and not stop her from having fun. Nina gets tired of making excuses and cannot understand what her fault is. And he wants to stop this “nonsense.” Arbenin says that he is really funny. Eugene talks about other people for whom different aspects of life are important - fun, social entertainment, rank, wealth, science, fame. Nina is the whole world for him, and nothing else worries him. He loves only her, and only in her does he see the joy of life and satisfaction. If he is deceived by her, then he will lose everything, including himself.
The woman is frightened by her husband's violent reaction.
Listen, Nina... I was born With a seething soul like lava, Until it melts, She is solid like a stone... but it’s bad fun To meet her flow!
Nina tells her husband that he is scary. Arbenin thinks that he is funny. Here the situation becomes clearer - Arbenin suspects Nina of treason. She replies that someone slandered her, that she loves only him. Arbenin doesn’t believe it and replies that he wants revenge.
ACT TWO
Scene one
Exit first
The Baroness sits on her chairs, tired. Throws the book.
The Baroness is excited about the event that happened at the masquerade. Apparently she is wondering what to do next. Her thoughts on the role of a woman, in which she sees a “toy for passions” and “a creature without will.” The Baroness ponders what will happen to the woman if she surrenders to the will of her feelings. And he comes to the conclusion that this would be a very rash act.
Nina enters.
Exit two
The Baroness looks at Nina and finds her pale. Nina replies that she couldn’t sleep last night.
Exit three
Prince Zvezdich enters.
The prince says that the planned picnic is cancelled. Zvezdich is happy, he hates picnics, he likes masquerades. Nina finds out that Zvezdich was at the masquerade yesterday. The prince claims that ladies he knew were also there. The Baroness objects to him that society ladies have nothing to do among the mummered rabble.
An official enters.
Exit four
The former and the official.
The official came on business, and the Baroness steps aside with him. Zvezdich believes that the time has come for an explanation. The prince says that he saw Nina in the store. She confirms his words, saying that she was choosing a bracelet that was lost. The prince offers to help find the bracelet. And suddenly he confesses his tender feelings to Nina. Nina stops Zvezdich and says that he has forgotten. She warns him not to pester her with such speeches again.
Exit five
The same, except for Nina and the official.
Exit six
Left alone, the baroness indulges in her sad thoughts. She found out that if she had opened up to him, the whole world would have known about it. The Baroness realizes that Nina was at a masquerade and lost her bracelet. And he is surprised by this unfortunate coincidence. She is in a state of confusion.
I don’t know why, but I love him. Perhaps it’s out of boredom, out of annoyance.
Exit five
Exit seven
Baroness and Sprich. Shprikh enters and bows.
The baroness's late husband did not give Shprikh the interest, and Shprikh reminds the baroness of this. The Baroness hints to Shprikh that Zvezdich is having an affair with Arbenina. After this, she calms down that she has averted suspicion from herself.
Output 8th
Shprikh
Having learned about the affair between Zvezdich and Arbenina, Shprikh wants to help the prince. In this way he wants to receive interest from the baroness.
Scene two
Exit first
Arbenin's office. Arbenin alone, then a servant.
Arbenin is in torment, he doesn’t know if it’s true that his wife is flirting with the prince, he’s afraid of a mistake. At this moment, the servant reports to Evgeniy that they have brought a note for Nina.
Exit two
Kazarin and servant.
Kazarin comes to Arbenin, but Evgeniy has left. Kazarin’s soul is bad; he misses his old card-playing friend. He doesn’t like dealing with young people who don’t know how to behave and behave with dignity during the game. Kazarin is waiting for Arbenin, who is a “skillful comrade” in the game, to return to the card table.
Exit three
Kazarin and Shprikh. Sprich enters.
Then Shprikh comes in and tells Kazarin the news that Arbenin’s wife was flirting at the masquerade “with one prince.”
Exit four
The former and Arbenin.
The note to Nina was from the prince, who writes that he found her, but she does not want to admit it. And a note at the end: “but I would rather die than give up on you.” Arbenin was overcome with rage.
Exit five
The former, except Shprikh. Shprikh leaves unnoticed.
Arbenin is thoughtful; he answers Kazarin that he is thinking about gratitude. Kazarin gives advice to Arbenin on how to deal with someone who treated him badly and repays him with ingratitude. We are talking about women, about Arbenin’s wife, in whom Eugene “dreamed of finding his earthly paradise.” Kazarin says that he regrets those times, before Evgeniy’s marriage, when they played, had fun, and caroused together. Arbenin is in despair, there has been a breakdown in his family life, and Kazarin sees that now his old friend is back with him.
Scene three
The prince's room. The door to the other is open. In another he is sleeping on the sofa.
Exit first
Ivan, then Arbenin.
Wanting revenge, Evgeniy comes to Zvezdich’s house. The prince is sleeping, and the servant says that he has left. Arbenin, not believing the servant, assumes that the prince is sleeping, and Eugene will wait for him to wake up.
Exit two
Arbenin (one)
Eugene thinks, he wants to kill the prince, but then decides to take revenge in another way. He leaves a note for the prince.
Exit three
Arbenin and the Baroness. He goes to the door and runs into a lady in a veil.
On his way out, Arbenin encountered a veiled stranger. He tears off the veil and sees the Baroness. They have a confusing dialogue. The Baroness tries to tell Eugene the truth about the bracelet.
Exit four
Baroness, alone.
Arbenin leaves, and the Baroness shouts after him that his wife is innocent. Evgeniy does not hear this confession.
Exit five
Baroness and Prince.
The Baroness reveals the whole truth to the prince - at the masquerade he did not communicate with her, but not with Nina Arbenina. The woman repents of her actions.
But I was the cause of evil, And, leaving the light forever, Now I have come to make amends for everything that happened before!
Exit six
Prince, alone.
Zvezdich is confused, he is already thinking about the Baroness, about missing out on a happy occasion. He sees a letter from Arbenin, in which he invites Zvezdich to spend time together.
Scene four
Room at N.
Exit first
Kazarin, the owner and Arbenin, sit down to play.
Kazarin and Arbenin are together again, and Evgeniy is going to be only with them in the future.
Exit two
The former and the prince.
The company is playing cards. The prince understands that Arbenin did not understand anything in his conversation with the baroness and does not know the truth. Angry, Eugene throws the cards in the prince's face. Zvezdich insists on a duel, but Arbenin rejects his challenge. The prince is heartbroken, he only repeats: “Honour, my honor!” Arbenin confirms that he will not be able to regain his honor, and now society will turn away from him.
ACT THREE
Scene one
Ball. Exit first
One of the ladies says that the baroness has gone to the village. Another guest talks about Zvezdich, who won at cards, received a slap in the face, but did not want to shoot himself. Those present condemn the prince’s action. Zvezdich comes in and no one comes up to him. Nina is also at the ball, and Zvezdich approaches her. He gives her the bracelet. Warns her to beware of her husband, whom he considers a soulless villain. Zvezdich is going to leave for the Caucasus.
Exit two
Arbenin is torn apart by contradictions and passions. He decides to kill his wife. Once upon a time, when Evgeniy did not particularly value life, he lost greatly. In response to this event, Arbenin bought poison. But luck smiled on him then - he managed to quickly win back. Since then he kept the poison in his possession.
Exit three
The hostess, Nina, several ladies and gentlemen. During the last lines are included.
At the ball, Nina is asked to sing a romance. She doesn't want to sing, but she sings.
Exit four
The former and Arbenin.
At the end of the 3rd verse, the husband comes in and leans on the piano. When she sees it, she stops.
Nina stops singing the romance. He tells her husband that she is not well, that her soul is sad and boring. She asks her husband to bring her some ice cream. She says that “there are no immaculate souls.” Her husband disagrees: “No. I thought I had found one, but in vain.” An unknown person is watching the scene. Looking at how Nina eats ice cream, the Unknown experiences both pity, which pushes him to prevent the crime, and the desire for “the determination of fate” to come true. He doesn't interfere with what's happening.
Scene two
Exit first
Arbenin's bedroom. Nina enters, followed by a maid.
Nina tells the maid that her husband scares her. A woman approaches the mirror and sees how pale she is. She admires the new waltz to which she twirled at the ball. She remembers the prince’s words, which she perceived as boyish nonsense.
Exit two
Arbenin and Nina.
Nina tells Arbenin that she is burning inside. She thinks she got sick after eating ice cream and asks to call a doctor. The husband objects: “Well? Is it impossible for you to die without a doctor? And he tells Nina that she is a traitor. Nina is in despair, she claims that someone slandered her. He admits that he put poison in her ice cream. His wife dies, and Arbenin, smiling bitterly, watches her death throes. Nina died.
ACT FOUR
Scene one
Exit first
Arbenin is in a bad mood. He painfully remembers his life, Nina’s prayer and melancholy. Thoughts occur to him that he was wrong in blaming his wife. He drives them away, convincing himself that he is right.
Exit two
Kazarin
Kazarin, who visited his friend, does not understand him. He refuses to believe in his grief, believing that he is like this only in public. Kazarin believes that one can only be as pale as Evgeniy after playing cards.
Exit three
Relatives come.
Relatives are making preparations for the funeral. The niece asks her mother about the cause of Nina’s death. The mother replies that “your fashionable society” is also to blame for everything.
Exit four
The doctor and the old man leave the dead woman's room.
The doctor says that balls and ice cream won't do any good.
Exit five
Doctor
The doctor tries to calm Arbenin down. He says that Nina can’t be brought back, and Evgeny needs to rest. Arbenin assures the doctor that he is fine. The doctor believes that he is seriously ill.
Exit six
Enter: Unknown and Prince.
An unknown person asks the doctor if Arbenin is at home. The doctor replies that he is at home, but he is seriously ill. The prince is afraid that Arbenin may be unconscious. Having learned that he talks and walks, Zvezdich calms down.
Exit seven
The unknown person tells Zvezdich that they have one common goal - to take revenge on Arbenin. The prince wants to know who he is. The unknown person only replies that he is his accomplice.
Output 8th
Arbenin with a candle.
Arbenin painfully lives through everything that happened. He is overcome by doubts, he is afraid that a mistake has occurred. Evgeniy drives away these dark thoughts and tries to be a cold-blooded judge who exacts retribution.
The prince approaches Eugene. Next to Zvezdich is a man whom Evgeniy does not know. The unknown person says that Arbenin was previously his friend. Seven years have passed since Arbenin introduced Neizvestny to cards, and this played a fatal role. The unknown person lost interest in everything that previously made him happy. Only money, which rules the world, became his main passion and goal, the object of his worship. He lost himself, and wants to take revenge for it.
Evgeniy recognizes his old friend and wants the Unknown to leave. Then the uninvited guest says that Evgeny killed Nina. From these words, Evgeny goes into a frenzy. The prince finishes off Arbenin with the message that his wife is innocent. The baroness gave the bracelet after finding it at a masquerade. After this message, Evgeniy is close to insanity.
Stage productions
Lermontov’s work “Masquerade” was not only published, but also staged in theaters. The play was first staged in 1852. Playwrights could easily create masterpieces on the theater stage based on the plot of Mikhail Yuryevich’s drama after the censorship ban was lifted in the same year.
Chronology of the stage history of "Masquerade":
- On January 13, 1864, the presentation of the full-size play “Masquerade” took place on the stage of the Alexandria Theater.
- A rerun of the popular play on January 15 and three times in February.
- Resumption of the performance after a long break in 1889. There was only one performance in honor of Sazonov's benefit performance.
- The beginning of a rapid stage life in 1917. It was then that the premiere of the work recreated by Golovin took place.
The dramatic play was also staged at the Vakhtangov Theater in Moscow. The music for the play was written by Khachaturian.
Given the circumstances, the work had to “leave” the theatrical stage.
Main characters
Perhaps the author put a piece of himself into his main character, Evgeny Arbenin.
Arbenin
Evgeniy Arbenin is a middle-aged man who made his fortune playing cards. He married not for prudent reasons, but only out of a desire to find a family, to be under the care of his wife. Simply because it was the right thing to do. In the hope of atonement for his main vice, Evgeniy swears not to participate in gambling.
In his youth, Arbenin lived to the fullest, had fun in all available ways, and committed adultery with many women, including other people’s wives. Having such a wealth of experience, he became pathologically jealous and demanding. Not only to his chosen ones, but also to all people close to him in general. Eugene carefully selected his wife, whom he became attached to and fell in love with, to her misfortune.
This is interesting: a biography of Dostoevsky, briefly the most important things.
Nina, wife
At first glance, Nina Pavlovna is a real angel .
A young, receptive and somewhat naive person. It is not easy for her to understand the highly experienced Arbenin, his demands and rushing nature. A sharp change in her husband’s moods and his sudden tendency towards isolation, gloominess, and depression forces Nina to think that Evgeny no longer loves her. He is irritated by her habit of kissing his forehead, and is overly jealous of his wife towards everyone. The girl becomes depressed and upset. In Lermontov's play-drama, a considerable part is devoted to Nina's suffering. She wants a holiday and fun, a “masquerade,” but Arbenin is categorically against it. The conflict of interests and the inconsistency of the desires of the two heroes ultimately lead to an absolutely unpredictable ending and irreparable consequences.
Prince Zvezdich
Zvezdich is an exemplary officer , but in life he is not very versatile and intelligent. The prince is a gambler, just like Arbenin. He is blinded by his exclusivity, which is not true. After all, Zvezdich knows little about cards, he is offended by losing, but he plays anyway. The prince does not understand people and his own aspirations; he is stupid and limited. But he is still capable of noble deeds.
Shprikh
Comes from a family of Russian Germans. Many faces , which Arbenin perceives as hypocrisy and duplicity. Lermontov gives a description of his appearance that includes “glass bead eyes” and an “evil smile.” Kazarin presents Shprikh as a talented person, sociable and sociable, active, friendly. But the main character treats such qualities with great suspicion and more than once enters into controversial discussions with Shprikh.
Minor characters
“Masquerade” in a brief retelling does not involve paying much attention to the secondary characters, but let us note their main functions in the play:
- Afanasy Pavlovich Kazarin is the connecting link between the main characters of the work.
- Baroness Strahl is a provocateur. Either she is flirtatious or timid. Because of her, the main conflict of “Masquerade” arises - a quarrel between Nastasya and Arbenin based on his jealousy. The Baroness abruptly changes her position, either taking the side of her friend Nina, or openly exposing her in an unsightly light.
You can read “Masquerade” online for a more detailed acquaintance with the characters and plot. And we will look at a summary of the actions of the play. It consists of 4 acts - chapters.
