The image of Chatsky ("Woe from Wit"). Characteristics of Chatsky

The comedy "Woe from Wit" is a famous work by A. S. Griboedov. Writing it, the author immediately stood on a par with the leading poets of his time. The appearance of this play caused a lively response in literary circles. Many hurried to express their opinion on the merits and demerits of the work. Particularly heated debate sparked the image of Chatsky - the main character of the comedy. This article will be devoted to the description of this character.

Prototypes of Chatsky

Contemporaries AS Griboyedov found that the image of Chatsky reminds them P. Ya. Chaadaev. This was pointed out by Pushkin in his letter to P. A. Vyazemsky in 1823. Indirect confirmation of this version, some researchers see that originally the main character of the comedy wore the name Chadsky. However, many disprove this opinion. According to another theory, Chatsky's image is a reflection of the biography and character of VK Kiichelbecker. The disgraced, unsuccessful person who just returned from abroad could very well have become the prototype of the main character "Woe from Wit".

On the similarity of the author with Chatsky

It is quite obvious that the main character of the play in his monologues expressed thoughts and views, which Griboyedov himself adhered to. "Woe from Wit" is a comedy that became a personal manifesto of the author against the moral and social vices of the Russian aristocratic society. And many character traits Chatsky as if written off from the author. According to contemporaries, Alexander Sergeevich was impetuous and hot, sometimes independent and sharp. Chatsky's views on imitation of foreigners, inhumanity of serfdom, bureaucracy - genuine thoughts of Griboyedov. He often expressed them in society. The writer even once was really called a madman when on a secular party he heatedly and impartially responded to the slavish attitude of Russians to everything foreign.

Author's characteristic of the hero

In response to the criticisms of his co-author and longtime friend PA Katenin that the character of the main character is "inconsistent", that is, very inconsistent, Griboyedov writes: "In my comedy, there are 25 fools for one sane person." The image of Chatsky for the author is a portrait of an intelligent and educated youth who finds himself in a difficult situation. On the one hand, he is in "anti-society", because "a little higher than others", he is aware of his superiority and does not try to hide it. On the other hand, Alexander Andreevich can not achieve the former location of his beloved girl, he suspects the presence of an opponent, and even unexpectedly falls into the category of madmen, which he learns about the latter. Excessive fervor of his hero Griboyedov explains the strong disappointment in love. Therefore, in the "Woe from Wit" image of Chatsky turned out so inconsistent and inconsistent. He all "spit in the eye and was like that."

Chatsky in the treatment of Pushkin

The poet criticized the main character of the comedy. At the same time, Pushkin appreciated Griboedov: he liked the comedy "Woe from Wit". Characterization of Chatsky in the interpretation of the great poet is very unpleasant. He calls Alexander Andreyevich an ordinary hero-reasoner, the mouthpiece of the ideas of the only intelligent person in the play - Griboedov himself. He believes that the protagonist is a "kind fellow" who has accumulated extraordinary thoughts and witticisms from another person and started to "cast beads" before Repetilov and other representatives of the Famous Guard. According to Pushkin, this behavior is unforgivable. He believes that the contradictory and inconsistent character of Chatsky is a reflection of his own stupidity, which places the hero in a tragicomic position.

The character of Chatsky, according to Belinsky

A well-known critic in 1840, as well as Pushkin, denied the protagonist plays in a practical mind. He interpreted the image of Chatsky as a completely absurd, naive and dreamy figure and dubbed it "the new Don Quixote." Over time, Belinsky changed his point of view somewhat. Characteristics of the comedy "Woe from Wit" in his interpretation has become very positive. He called her a protest against the "infamous reality of the Rajas" and considered it "the noblest, humanistic work." The critic did not see the real complexity of Chatsky's image.

The image of Chatsky: interpretation in the 1860s

Publicists and critics of the 1860s began to attribute to Chatsky's behavior only socially significant and socio-political motives. For example, AI Herzen saw in the main character of the play a reflection of Griboedov's "back thought". He considers the image of Chatsky as a portrait of a Decembrist-Revolutionary. Critic AA Grigoriev sees in Alexander Andreevich a person struggling with the vices of his contemporary society. For him, the heroes of "Woe from Wit" are characters not of "high" comedy, but of "high" tragedy. In such interpretations, the image of Chatsky is extremely generalized and interpreted very one-sidedly.

The image of Chatsky from Goncharov

Ivan Alexandrovich in his critical sketch "Millions of Tears" presented the most perceptive and precise analysis of the play "Woe from Wit". The characterization of Chatsky, in Goncharov's opinion, should be made in view of his state of mind. Unhappy love for Sophia makes the main character of the comedy bilious and almost inadequate, forcing long monologues to pronounce before people indifferent to his fiery speeches. Thus, not taking into account the love affair, it is impossible to understand the comical and at the same time tragic nature of the image of Chatsky.

The problems of the play

Heroes of "Sorrow from Wit" are faced by Griboyedov in two plot-forming conflicts: the love (Chatsky and Sofia) and the socio-ideological (FAMUSOVO society and the protagonist). Of course, the social issues of the work come to the forefront, but the love line in the play is very important. After Chatsky hurried to Moscow only to meet with Sofia. Therefore, both conflicts - social, ideological and love - strengthen and complement each other. They develop in parallel and are equally necessary for understanding the world view, character, psychology and the relationship of the comedy heroes.

Main character. Conflict of love

In the system of characters in the play, Chatsky is in the main place. He connects two story lines into a single whole. For Alexander Andreevich, the main thing is the love conflict. He perfectly understands what kind of people he is in society and does not intend to engage in educational activities. The reason for his stormy eloquence is not political, but psychological. The "impatience of the heart" of a young person is felt throughout the entire play.

At first Chatsky's "loquacity" is caused by the joy of meeting with Sofia. When the hero understands that from the former feelings to him the girl does not have a trace, then begins to do inconsistent and bold deeds. He remains in the house of Famusov for the sole purpose: to find out who has become the new lover of Sophia. At the same time, he clearly has "a mind with a heart out of tune."

After Chatsky learns about the relationship between Molchalin and Sofia, he falls into a different extreme. Instead of love feelings, embrace and fury surround him. He accuses the girl of the fact that she "enticed her with hope", proudly declares to her about the severance of relations, swears that she is "sobering up ... in full", but at the same time she is going to pour out "all the bile and all vexation" on the world.

Main character. Conflict socio-political

Love experiences increase the ideological confrontation between Alexander Andreevich and Famusov's society. At first Chatsky refers to the Moscow aristocracy with an ironic tranquility: "... I'm an odd fellow in oddities / I'll laugh, then I'll forget ..." However, as he becomes convinced of Sophia's indifference, his speech becomes more insolent and unrestrained. Everything in Moscow begins to irritate him. Chatsky touches on many of the current problems of his contemporary era in his monologues: questions of national identity, serfdom, education and enlightenment, real service, and so on. He talks about serious things, but at the same time, from the excitement, he runs into "exaggeration, almost impotence of speech," according to IA Goncharov.

Alignment of the main character

The image of Chatsky is a portrait of a man with the established system of values of life, outlook and morality. He considers as the main criterion of an estimation of the person aspiration to knowledge, to fine and high matters. Alexander Andreevich is not against work for the welfare of the state. But he constantly emphasizes the difference between "serving" and "serving", which he attaches to fundamental importance. Chatsky is not afraid of public opinion, does not recognize authorities, preserves his independence, which causes fear among Moscow aristocrats. They are ready to recognize in Alexander Andreevich a dangerous rebel, encroaching on the most sacred values. From the point of view of Famusov's society, Chatsky's behavior is atypical, and therefore - reprehensible. He "is familiar with ministers," but he does not use his connections in any way. On the proposal of Famusov to live "like everyone else" answers with a contemptuous refusal.

In many respects agrees with his hero Griboyedov. The image of Chatsky is a type of enlightened person who freely expresses his opinion. But in his statements there are no radical and revolutionary ideas. Simply in a conservative Famusian society, any deviation from the usual norm seems outrageous and dangerous. No wonder that in the end Alexander Andreevich was recognized as a madman. Heroes "Woe from Wit" only so could explain for themselves the independent nature of Chatsky's judgments.

Conclusion

In modern life, the play "Woe from Wit" remains ever more relevant. The image of Chatsky in comedy is the central figure that helps the author to the whole world to express his thoughts and views. By the will of Alexander Sergeevich, the protagonist of the work is put into tragicomic conditions. His impetuous accusatory speech is caused by a disappointment in love. However, the problems that arise in his monologues are eternal themes. It was thanks to them that the comedy entered the list of the most famous works of world literature.