When arrested Lermontov was questioned about the gendarmerie department stirred up Russia "seditious lines" - a response to the death of the great Pushkin - he then remembered and written in 1836. "Masquerade".In the third branch were, of course, bigots, but not stupid people, Lermontov's drama "Masquerade" was very carefully read them.The sharp criticism of Lermontov on secular mores of the XVIII century "guardians of morality" compared with the disgraced Griboyedov "Woe from Wit".
«divide it - in jail - I think bullies - for daring to threaten this" hack "by M. Lermontov!Masquerade house Engelhardt!Yes, it is visited by even the person of the royal family! "Classic was forced repeatedly to edit the drama and the theater stage it came only in 1846, five years after the fatal bullet Pyatigorsk.
Referring drama recall its summary."Masquerade" Lermontov once, in the first scene introduces us to Eugene Arbenin.We characterize the image: middle-aged man in the past - lucky gambler (he won a fortune).Woo, following reason, because "the term has come," but the former player unexpectedly falls in love with his young wife Nina.His future plans - "engage" with the cards and begin a measured, virtuous life of the Russian master.Character Arbenina - closed, quick-tempered, "ebullient".His wife - Nastassja Pavlovna (as a family, Nina) - young, beautiful, she was sincerely in love with her husband.In education - a secular woman.She loves tinsel balls, like all her peers nobility.Nina, as a child, simply can not be at home during the holidays, when the whole court Petersburg fun.
The plot of the drama is developing dynamically.Arbenin crouched against his will at the card table, yielding to the entreaties of "card" comrades.Not chasing after greed, he calmly helped recoup friend Prince Zvezdichu.Relieved stopping hateful game Prince offers his rescuer to go to a masquerade Engelhardt.
Among universal Costumed fun Arbenin remains calm and unruffled.Suddenly, an unknown man approached the ball foretells his misfortune.Prince Zvezdich same with his head dipped into general merriment.This is - a typical representative of the "gold" of the XIX century aristocratic youth living on the principle of "after us the deluge."Just saved him Arbenin from financial problems, but he was "spoiling for a fight" - tends to have casual relationships.Arriving at the palace ball Engelhardt Zvezdich trying to attract the attention of the ladies of easy virtue, pretending primitive "romantic hero".His words that "love is not really touched his heart," banal and "jaded".
The reader is the scene in the original, as Lermontov line - brighter, juicier than any summary."Masquerade" Lermontov immerses us in the authentic atmosphere of the ball.One of the ladies heard the words of the prince, immediately met with him.However, even she could not keep himself from an ironic characteristics Zvezdicha as "godless," "spineless", "immoral".Lermontov puts in her mouth tart response: "puppet" of passion, the hypocrisy of the whole "age".I think he has in mind: "The nobles, look at ourselves.Keep yourself worthy as decent people! ".Do not these lines from "Masquerade" remembered Mikhail Yurevich gendarmes?
Dear readers, we are somewhat distracted, leaving the ball Zvezdicha seeking adventure on their loins, and who found their place, but "down" his friend.According to the story, there, on the ball, there is a "quite normal" for the prince casual contact.Fundamentally important irony that is unlikely to pass the summary."Masquerade" Lermontov consistently develops disparaging characterization of the prince of "romanticism" which previously laughed.He continued to portray Shakespeare's hero, asks for "beautiful stranger" a gift "in memory".That already glad to get rid of the idiot accidentally drops her gaze to someone ugly bracelet lost."Mask" discovery raises and gives it Zvezdichu.
Delighted Prince shows his "trophy" Eugene Arbenin.He remembers that somewhere saw the same, but does not go into memory.He is here all be fed, and he wants to come home quickly, missing about Nina.
However, returning at midnight, Eugene a couple of hours with his wife awaiting the ball.Arriving, she bored, she threw herself into the arms of the Arbenin.Suddenly my husband notices the absence of the right arm bracelet favorite pair, the same ... "Treason!" - Flashes in his brain.Ambition, selfishness overshadow his love.He did not want to hear anything, the wife chases.
Nina naively believes that by buying trinket like a lost, she reconciled with Arbenin.She goes to a jewelry store.Then, to his misfortune, on the way home goes to see a friend of Baroness Strahl.This courting a young widow Zvezdich.After learning about the lost bracelet Nina, he remembers a mask and begins to flirt with Nina.That, showering his "cold Epiphany", leaves the house.She does not know how to be silent departure Zvezdich puts its history to mask the Baroness, presenting his familiar as Nina.Baroness shocked, because frivolous mask was she!Next grand idiot tells about his "heroism" half of St. Petersburg, as well as sending "love" letter to Nina's house Arbenin.
letter read Eugene Arbenin.He begins to take revenge.Being an experienced player, the game was up with Prince Zvezdichem where initiates delicate situation in which the public blames the nobleman of cheating.Nina as he dazzled offense, decides to kill by poisoning.Arriving at the ball, he looks gentle and calm.Nina is happy, thinking that reconciliation - close.She asks Eugene to bring ice cream.Poison - correct and quick.That same night, the young beauty dies.
The house Arbenin Zvezdich appears with a strange man, a harbinger of misfortune.Entered crave duel.They are Eugene Arbenin learns that "mask" was Baroness, and his wife - is innocent.Proof - a letter of Baroness.He is crazy.
Let us ask ourselves: "How can laconically express this summary?"."Masquerade" Lermontov - a classic drama about jealousy, with a truly Shakespearean passions, transferred to the XIX century.Perhaps that is why many critics have compared it with "Othello"?
