A.S. Pushkin wholeheartedly loved Russia. He studied her history, reading ancient tales. This inspired him to create amazing literary masterpieces. What are at least such historical works as “Boris Godunov” or “Song of the Prophetic Oleg” worth? The latter, in fact, will be discussed further, and a bit later its summary will be presented. “Song of the Prophetic Oleg” is a rather unique work in itself. It will take the reader to the distant past of our ancient ancestors - the Eastern Slavs, who were pagans before the baptism of Russia.
Immersion in the history of Russia
But before touching upon the theme of “The Song of the Prophetic Oleg” (a brief summary will be given a little later), let us present a little background. All that then surrounded people in Ancient Russia - virgin nature with its rivers, stones, forests and grasses, the Slavs endowed them with human qualities and treated them like living beings. And they explained various kinds of natural phenomena by the action of supernatural forces, which they called gods and worshiped them. One of the host of idols was the god of thunder and war - Perun. According to pagan belief, the souls of the warriors who died on the battlefield continued to live after death. Therefore, a mound was poured on the grave of a fallen warrior. Together with him they put all his military equipment and weapons into the grave. A faithful companion who accompanied him on military campaigns, a war horse, was also buried nearby.
After the funeral, a feast was held in honor of the warrior - a feast at which his exploits were glorified. And then there were military games.
Our ancient ancestors also believed that among them there are special people who can predict fate, guess the will of the gods, perform miracles and turn into animals. They were called sorcerers, sorcerers, or sorcerers.
Historical character
Now let’s get acquainted with the work “Song of the Prophetic Oleg”. The summary of the legend contains very interesting facts from the life of Novgorod and Kiev Prince Oleg. At the beginning of the X century, numerous Slavic settlements were united into a single Kiev state, and Kiev became the Center of Russia. The ruler of the state was Novgorod prince Oleg. He was a strong and powerful warrior who repeatedly repelled the attacks of the nomadic Khazar tribes attacking Russia and went on aggressive campaigns against his neighbors. The chronicle describes the story of how once Prince Oleg even captured the capital of the Byzantine Empire, the city of Constantinople. Leaving the city, he nailed his shield at the gates of the city. Prince Oleg was called the prophetic, sage and sorcerer.
After a campaign in Byzantium and the conclusion of a trade agreement with the Greeks, which was very beneficial for Russia, he would die in 912. Prince Igor will take his throne , and after Igor’s death, the prince’s wife, Grand Duchess Olga.
Pushkin "Song of the Prophetic Oleg." Summary
It is this legend that has been preserved in the ancient annals, it also formed the basis of the work “Song of the Prophetic Oleg”. Pushkin knew this history from childhood, but poetically processed his version only in 1833. And we find out only its summary. The Song of the Prophetic Oleg is a truly great work worthy of its author. But what prompted Pushkin to write it? All this was facilitated by his southern exile, the punishment for freedom-loving poetry. Poetic imagination will immediately wake up in Pushkin when he visits Kiev, rich in ancient monuments, and Mount Schekavitsa, where the Kiev prince and princess Oleg and Olga were once buried.
"Song of the Prophetic Oleg": a very brief summary
The story of the legend begins with the fact that the governor-prince Oleg goes on his next military campaign. But this time he wants to take revenge on negligent Khazars for raids by robberies and fires. Driving with his squad through the field, he sees a gray-haired old man suddenly emerging from the forest. Prince Oleg decided to ask him the whole truth about his fate, but in return he promised the horse, but he refused. The wise old man began to predict great victories and military valor to the prince. And then suddenly he began to say that the horse would be responsible for the death of the prince. Prince Oleg was very attached to the animal, but nevertheless said goodbye to him, ordered to take him to the meadow and adequately care for him.
Death from a horse
What will continue the ballad summary? “The Song of the Prophetic Oleg” further narrates that when Prince Oleg returns from the next campaign, he will inquire about the fate of his horse and suddenly learn about his death. This news will greatly sadden the old warrior, he will consider that he was deceived by his lying wizard, and at the same time he will go to the remains of a fighting friend. When he ascends the hill and comes closer to the horse’s skull, a snake suddenly crawls to his leg and stings the prince. Prophetic Oleg will die of poison. Yet a prophetic prediction will come true.
This concludes this historical legend. “Song of the Prophetic Oleg” must be read in order to feel all of Pushkin’s mighty talent, general mood, admiration and anguish.