Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov is one of those poets whose works are very emotional, soulful and deserve the highest praise from literary critics. But more than 150 years ago, for the courage and perseverance of his thoughts, Mikhail was temporarily detained. This period was one of the most difficult in the life of the great poet, so in the prison walls he wrote several particularly soulful works. Analysis of Lermontov’s poem “The Prisoner” will help us uncover the emotional experiences of the author. To get started, let's get acquainted with its brief content.
The text of the poem "Prisoner"
This rhymed work is written using the technique of four-foot chorea. Logically, it can be divided into three parts, each of which is the completion of the previous one and is of a certain nature.
The poem “Prisoner” by Lermontov begins with the author’s request to open the dungeon and show him the radiance of a new day, which is quite predictable, because the prisons of that time really resembled dungeons from fairy tales about Koschey the Immortal. In addition to the desire to be released, Mikhail talks about his longing for a black-eyed girl and a bold horse, but in the second part of the work panic lines are traced that the dungeon is high and the beloved is very far away. An analysis of Lermontov’s “Prisoner” poem leads to an understanding of the psychologism of such abrupt transitions from one mood to another. The third part of the work tells of complete hopelessness.
Analysis of Lermontov’s poem “Prisoner”
Political censorship of the 18th century did not allow many authors to find development. There was a difficult period when Lermontov wrote the poem The Prisoner. An analysis of this work will allow us to consider the state of the author at the moment when he was in the prison walls because of his work.
The first part shows us Lermontov strong-willed and brave man. His desire to jump on a zealous horse and rush off to his lover suggests that even the unjust shackles will not pacify the poet’s ardor. Mikhail Lermontov was known to the society in which he revolved, as a rebel with a free idea, which is why many people respected him.
The soul of the poet
Carrying out the analysis of Lermontov’s “Prisoner” poem, it is necessary to dwell on the second part. It is presented to the reader by words in which doubt in one's own strengths and a slow awareness of the hopelessness of the current situation can be traced. So depressed and disarmed, Mikhail’s circle was not at all accustomed to seeing his comrade, which is why the poet could convey all his true feelings only in verse, while in life he remained unapproachable.
As we approach the third part of the poem, we slowly approach its main meaning. The decadent spirit of narration tells us that the poet is tired of fighting for independence with society and is ready to admit defeat. The period of imprisonment was for Lermontov a kind of awareness of the harsh reality with which the creator struggled throughout his short life.