Лучшие эссе студентов МАХУ – победителей международного конкурса (для параллельного чтения на двух языках)

Russian bogatyrs did not swear on pain of death to be loyal to the prince (or the king); to be merciful; to defend any lady in need; and never to fight in any wrongful cause (due to the fact that Russia had not developed the institution of chivalry). But one hero could always rely on the others to have his back covered and get help while carrying out the Prince’s order. In the epic “The signing of Ilya Muromets” Dobrynya (a representative of the noble class of warriors) catches the arrow, which bears the request for assistance, from Ilya and hurries to help. It is difficult to find in Russian epics love to either a beautiful lady or virtue, but once Dobrynya rescues “a lady in need” – Zabava Putyatichna (Vladimir’s niece) from the dragon Gorynych. Alyosha Popovich is the youngest of the three superheroes, depicted together in Viktor Vasnetsov's renowned painting Bogatyrs. He is usually described as a crafty priest's son who may occasionally be a liar and a cheat. He defeated the dragon Tugarin Zmeyevich by trickery. In later versions the dragon was transformed into the figure of a Mongol Khan.

All epic stories contain the idea of the destiny of the hero, his being chosen. The hero cannot decide whether he wants to put his life to risk or not, the choice is made for him by higher powers, his task is to follow his fate and fulfill his duty with honor. Arthur’s knights as well as Vladimir’s heroes leave their small homeland for the capitals. That's where they can fully realize their best qualities and devote their strength and skills to protect the state. Typical folklore themes include the birth and childhood of a hero, slaying a serpent, battling a monster or encountering with a sorceress who turns men into animals.

Both countries’ legendary events come at the time of transition from paganism to the Christian religion. So, Christian beliefs are mixed with pre-Christian ideas of magic. For instance, heroes are usually protected from dark powers by their crucifix and defeat the enemies with magic swords. Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake (after he had withdrawn his first sword from a stone to prove that he is the true heir to the throne). To be awarded with a magic weapon Russian bogatyrs either pull Sword Kladenets from under a rock demonstrating their strength or fight against a strange creature like a chunk (a half-virgin half-lizard living in a swamp) that symbolizes magical and powerful forces of nature. After the heroes’ death the sword is thrown back into the lake or river. Dobrunya’s sword (also called the Sword of Ares) is believed to be on the bottom of the Oka River. In most legends the weapon is given to the main characters to protect the native land but it also helps them survive. The scabbard Arthur possessed had a healing power and Morgana substituted it by magic that is what the Tatars also had to do with Dobrunya’s sword to be able to kill him.