DOI 10.52172/2587-6945_2022_20_2_13
Abstract
The article discusses the formation and features of panegyric genres in Russia at the turn of the 18th – early 19th centuries. During this period literary works praising the state and public authorities were created. The main task of literature at that time was to serve the Empire, therefore the legends about emperors were a form of apologetic myth that developed in the XVIII century and was developed by the genres of spiritual and secular eloquence. Due to the conservatism of these genres and court etiquette in general, the main components of the imperial myth were set by the previous panegyric tradition. Thus, some events from the life of Russian rulers were reflected in literature in accordance with the canon, others served as the appearance of new sides in the legend, new "mythologems". It seems appropriate to consider the development of this myth-making from two points of view, exploring both the biographical-historical side and the features of poetics.
One of the genres of oratorical prose, especially popular in the 17th –18th centuries.becomes a panegyric. Unlike the European literary tradition in Russia until the middle of the 18th century.spiritual and secular eloquence were perceived equally, as equal genres. But, gradually, especially after Karamzin's reform, secular literature acquired a simpler and more elegant form, devoid of an excessive abundance of Slavicisms. Despite the separation of styles in the once unified system, panegyrics continued to combine rhetorical and poetic genres, in this regard, the appeal to the "panegyric" image of the emperors of the middle and end of the XVIII century requires closer attention of researchers.
Keywords
Poetry, 18th century, mythology, panegyrics, ode.