The lyrics are a kind of literature, which is characterized mainly by the expression of the thoughts, feelings and emotions of the subject, gravitates to a poetic form. Famous literary critic A.N. Veselovsky belongs to the theory that the lyrics come from an ancient ritual choir. Most lyric works lack a series of events, in other words, the lyrics do not focus on actions, but on their experience. In modern literary criticism, philosophical lyrics, civic, love, landscape are distinguished. We will talk about the first variety in more detail.
Philosophical Lyrics
In works of this kind, the predominant motives are reflections on the meaning of life, how the Universe is arranged, and what place man occupies in nature and the Cosmos. This genre is characterized by in-depth psychologism, the desire of the lyrical hero to self-knowledge, self-disclosure. In general, the installation of metaphorism is traced. Often poems are built on the basis of allegory. Philosophical lyrics pay close attention to the eternal questions of being. Such ideas can be submitted both in a veiled form and openly declared by the author.
Representatives
Philosophical lyrics were a favorite genre of such great poets as A.S. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, F.I. Tyutchev, V.S. Soloviev, A.A. Fet. Let's consider some of them separately.
Tyutchev's poems: philosophical lyrics
Literary scholars call Tyutchev the first Russian poet to put matters of world order at the forefront. It is characteristic that his lyrical hero is not peculiar to following any particular position, he is trying to find himself, to determine his place in the universe. Pantheism, that is, the deification of nature is one of the most striking features of Tyutchev's work. Researchers divide all his works into three periods. In the 1830s and 1860s, the lyrical hero evaluates himself as part of a tremendous, powerful force, animates the elements, and seeks to merge with them. By the end of the 60s, motives of fatigue, confusion, and disbelief were growing. A man in Tyutchev feels his worthlessness, helplessness. However, since 1871, the poet overcomes these moods and finds the strength in himself to accept peace.
A.S. Pushkin
In analyzing this genre, one should emphasize the enormous place that occupies the philosophical lyrics of Pushkin. His poems reflect all human conditions: from an idle, reckless youth to the harmonious flowering of maturity. Throughout his life, the poet did not stop looking for answers to fundamental questions. Topics such as the connection of generations, the change of eras, the role of the creator in society pass through all his work. In Pushkin's early philosophical poems, Batyushkov’s strong influence is noticeable: the enjoyment of life, the epicureanism, all the pleasures of youth — that’s what life is worth living for. However, after a few years, a turning point occurs. Byron and Napoleon - these are the new idols of the young man. It is natural that the verses reflect his new ideals: futility, the meaninglessness of human existence, the comprehensive loneliness of each person. Nevertheless, in maturity, the poet managed to find harmony: death for him is not the end, but only one link in an endless cycle.