In the poetry of M. Lermontov, literary scholars emphasize a fascination with topics related to Napoleon Bonaparte. Firstly, it is a myth about an extraordinary personality, about his accomplishments. Secondly, this is Russia's victory over Napoleon. This cycle of seven poems includes the work “Air Ship”.
History of creation
The fantastic ballad "Air Ship" was written and published in 1840. The author’s text has not been preserved. This is a free translation of the work “The Ghost Ship” by German romantic Seidlitz. The work of M. Lermontov in some parts was influenced by the translation by V. Zhukovsky in 1836 of the ballad “Night Watch” by the same poet. It is believed that M. Lermontov wrote a poem while in custody. He got there after a duel with a French attache. The poet experienced a set of experiences related to personal affairs and France, which betrayed its emperor.
Theme of the work
The picture of the annual appearance of the emperor after his death became legendary and is reflected not only in Zedlitz, but also in G. Heine, who, like Goethe, was a fan of the almighty dictator. He is returned to France for a short time by a fantastic air ship, on which there is no crew. However, it is equipped with cast-iron cannons and is ready to conquer the world. Lermontov’s airship makes it sail in full sail along the blue waves in order to pick up the emperor only for one night.
On a deserted island, he rises from under a gravestone. In a gray military frock coat, Napoleon quickly rises to the helm and goes to cute France, to his little son, to his glory. Over the years he has not changed at all and is ready to repeat the battle path again. When he returns, he calls on his comrades-in-arms and marshals. No one responds to his call. Someone was buried under the sands in Africa, someone under the snows of Russia, someone remained in the fields of the Elbe forever, someone betrayed him.
Ballad idea
In Russia and France there was timelessness in which there was nothing heroic. Not without reason during these years (1838 - 1840) Mikhail Yurievich worked on the work “Hero of Our Time”. His character possessed the intelligence and strength to serve the fatherland, but there was nowhere to apply them. So the heroic personality that was displayed by the “Air Ship” suffocates even in real France, which changes kings, but does not change the festive thoughtless life. Everyone forgot the past greatness and victories that brought glory to the country. There is nothing extraordinary to do here.
His heavy sigh was heard, even bitter tears came to his eyes. It’s getting light, and the ship is waiting for him. The hero embarks on the return journey, being deceived in his expectations. He only experiences sorrow that inexorable time destroyed everything valuable for a person in this world: affection of heart and soul, carried away loved ones, destroyed the memory of the recent heroic past and world glory of the emperor. In general - the collapse of hopes and illusions. Sic transit gloria mundi (So the earthly glory passes).
The Air Ship, Lermontov: An Analysis
The ballad is written by amphibrachium, which consists of three feet. It has 72 verses, which are divided into 18 stanzas. Each of them has 4 lines. The rhythm of amphibrachia creates monotony, everydayness without bursts of passion or joy. Frequent repetitions, noisy, like sea waves, create a cycle of being. The verse runs one upon the other, like waves on sea sand, emphasizing the constancy of the annual ritual. The emperor’s path is repeated every year, and yet he does not know what happened in the world, he seeks the past in it: he calls his soldiers and marshals, addresses his son and awaits his appearance. He does not address anyone specifically, does not call anyone by name. This is the call of the lonely in the desert. Further, memories become more specific, geographically accurate, but time flows from victories to defeats.
Lermontov, using exaggeration, from a small plump man makes a powerful hero (his steps are large, his hands are powerful), his homeland is not provincial Corsica, but great France. The author recalls quicksand three times. A hero cannot get out of it. Therefore, without calling anyone, he embarks on the return trip, only hopelessly waving his hand and lowering his head to his chest.
This deep philosophical work debunkes the romantic image of the hero, showing him as a person with all the inherent feelings of a person.