Historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba". Real historical events underlying the story

Old Taras Bulba greeted his two sons, who studied at the Kyiv Bursa and came home, with ridicule. These were two stalwart young men, still looking from under their brows. Their strong, healthy faces had not yet been touched by a razor. The children were embarrassed by this reception and stood motionless. Finally, the elder told Taras to stop laughing at them, otherwise he would not look at the fact that the old man was in front of him and would beat him. And father and son began to punch each other. Only Bulba’s wife looked at all this and said that the old man had probably gone crazy. The younger one stood aside. His mother hugged him and when his father asked him why he didn’t beat his dad, she asked him to leave his son alone. Bulba ordered not to listen to his mother, since she is a woman, and to abandon all tenderness, because their tenderness is an open field and a good horse.

A week later, the father promised to send his sons to Zaporozhye to teach them real life. The mother pitifully said that the children would not be able to go for a walk and would not recognize their parents’ house; she would only be able to see them for a week. Bulba ordered the old woman to stop howling, because the Cossack was not there to mess with women, and led Ostap and Andriy into the room to the table. On the occasion of the arrival of his sons, Bulba summoned the centurions and the entire regimental rank. The guests congratulated both Bulba and the young men and said that no for the young man best science than Zaporozhye Sich. At dinner they talked about studying and the upcoming trip. In the end, it was decided that they would go to the Sich not in a week, but tomorrow. The poor old mother could not help but cry and looked at her children, from whom she was threatened with imminent separation.

Bulba was terribly stubborn. This was one of those characters who could appear in the difficult 15th century on a semi-nomadic corner of Europe, when all southern Russia, abandoned by its princes, was devastated by the raids of Mongol predators. Then the Cossacks arose and started - a broad, riotous habit of Russian nature. All the rivers and transports were dotted with Cossacks, of whom no one even knew the count. Instead of the former estates and small towns, formidable villages, kurens and outskirts arose, connected by a common danger and hatred against non-Christian predators.

The Polish kings, who found themselves the rulers of these vast lands, understood the importance of the Cossacks and the benefits of such a harsh guard life. Under their distant authority, hetmans, elected from among the Cossacks, transformed outskirts and kurens into regiments and regular districts. This was not a assembled army in combat; no one would have seen it. But in the event of a war of eight days, no more, everyone appeared on horseback in full armor. When the campaign ended, the warrior became a tiller, a fisherman, brewed beer and became a free Cossack. There was no craft he didn't know. The Russian character received a wide scope in the Cossacks and a hefty appearance.

Taras was one of the indigenous, old colonels, created for warfare and distinguished by the brutal directness of his character. At that time, the influence of Poland was beginning to affect the Russian nobility. Many adopted Polish customs, had luxury homes, magnificent servants, falcons, hunters, dinners, and courtyards. Bulba did not like all this. He loved simple life Cossacks and quarreled with those comrades who followed these customs, calling them slaves of the Polish lords.

Bulba considered himself a defender of Orthodoxy and legal order and made it a rule to take up the saber in three cases: when Polish tax collectors did not respect the elders in any way and stood in front of them in their caps, when they mocked Orthodoxy and, finally, when the enemies were infidels or Turks . Now Bulba consoled himself with the thought of bringing two such wonderful sons to the Sich and introducing them to old comrades, seasoned in battle. He told his wife not to make the bed because he and his sons would sleep in the yard. Bulba lounged on the carpet, covered himself with a sheepskin coat and soon began snoring. One poor mother, who clung to the head of her sons and could not look at them enough, did not sleep. She hoped that in the morning Taras would change his mind and postpone his departure.

At dawn, Bulba suddenly woke up and jumped up. He remembered very well what he ordered yesterday. He told his wife to prepare something to eat, since they had a long journey ahead of them. While she soaked breakfast with her tears, Taras gave orders, tinkered in the stable and himself chose decorations for his sons. Having changed from Bursak clothes to Cossack clothes, they were transformed and became unusually good-looking. Bulba ordered his mother to bless the children so that they would fight bravely and keep the faith of Christ, because a mother’s prayer saves on water and on land. The mother, sobbing, put the icons around her sons’ necks and then could not speak at all.

Saddled horses stood at the porch. The devil, Taras's horse, recoiled, sensing a huge weight on himself, because Bulba was unusually heavy and fat. The mother, seeing that her sons had already mounted their horses, rushed to the youngest, whose features were more tender, and pressed herself to his stirrup. Two stalwart Cossacks took her and carefully carried her to the hut. The young Cossacks rode and held back their tears, fearing their father. Having passed, they looked back - the farm seemed to have disappeared into the ground, only the two chimneys of their modest house and the tops of the trees were visible. Goodbye to childhood, and games, and everything, and everything! All three riders rode in silence. Old Taras thought about what awaited him in the Sich. The sons were busy with other thoughts.

Both of them were sent to the Kyiv Academy in their twelfth year, because at that time all honorary dignitaries considered it necessary to give an education to their children, although it was soon completely forgotten. The eldest, Ostap, began his studies by running away in his first year. He was returned, whipped and put behind a book. Four times he buried the primer in the ground, and four times they bought him a new one, having mercilessly ripped it out beforehand. Without a doubt, Ostap would have fled for the fifth time if his father had not sworn that Ostap would not see Zaporozhye until he had studied all the sciences at the academy. Ostap after that began to sit with extraordinary diligence at a boring book and soon became one of the best in the academy. The eldest son of Taras Bulba was always considered good friend. He rarely led risky ventures, but was always one of the first. If the students' pranks were revealed, he never betrayed his comrades.

Ostap was harsh towards motives other than war and friendly revelry. He was straightforward with his equals. He had kindness in his heart and was touched by the tears of the poor mother. The younger brother, Andriy, had more lively and developed feelings. He studied more willingly, without stress, and was more inventive than Ostap. Like Ostap, he was seething with a thirst for achievement, but “his soul was accessible to other feelings.” The need for love has long flared up in him. IN last years During his studies, he was rarely the leader of any Bursat gang, and often wandered through the secluded streets of Kyiv. One day Andriy wandered onto the street where local aristocrats lived. He gaped, and the chaise almost ran over him. The young student got angry, grabbed the rear wheel with one hand and stopped the car. But then the horses rushed, and Andriy fell face down into the dirt. There was laughter above him. Raising his head, he saw a beauty at the window, such as he had never seen before. The young man looked at her absently, wiping away the dirt, and thought: “Who is she?”

Finally I found out that she was the daughter of the Kovno governor who had come for a while. At night he climbed through the palisade into the garden and entered her bedroom. The beautiful Pole could not utter a word from fear, but when she saw that this was the same student who had fallen into the mud that day, she was again overcome by laughter. Moreover, Andriy was very handsome. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The Polish woman ordered her maid, a captive Tatar, to take the student out of the house. His exit was not as happy as his entrance - the lad suffered from both the watchman and the janitor, only his fast legs saved him. Then the governor left, and with him his beautiful daughter. This is what Andriy was thinking about, rocking in the saddle.

After three days of travel, Bulba and his sons were already not far from the place, former subject their trips. The Cossacks dismounted, boarded the ferry, and after three hours of sailing they were already close to the island of Khortytsia, where the Sich was then located. Finally they entered the outskirts of the Sich. The first person they came across was a Cossack, sleeping in the middle of the road, with his arms and legs outstretched. Bulba got off his horse to admire him.

After that, they began to make their way along the narrow street where apprentices of all nations lived and worked. These people fed, shoed and clothed the Sich and supplied it with weapons. The Sich itself did not produce anything, but only knew how to walk and fire guns. Finally Taras and his sons passed this suburb and saw several kurens covered with turf or felt. There were no guards or patrols near the buildings; only a few Cossacks lay on the grass and smoked pipes, indifferently looking at the arriving Cossacks. It was clear from their dark faces that these people were seasoned in battle. Here it is, Sich! This is where the will and Cossacks spread throughout Ukraine!

The travelers went to the square where the Rada usually gathered. Now there was a crowd of musicians and a young Cossack was dancing. In the midst of the people, they began to meet sedate, old Cossacks, old acquaintances of Taras. He began to ask them about his comrades, but learned that many of them had died. Old Bulba hung his head and thought that the Cossacks were kind.

For about a week Taras and his sons lived in the Sich. Ostap and Andriy did little military exercises, because it was believed that best school for a young Cossack, this is the experience of the battles themselves, which because of this were continuous. All the rest of the time was devoted to revelry. Work in the Sich could be found in equally and hunters of military life, and of golden cups, rich brocade, ducats and reals. Only admirers of women could not find anything here: not a single woman could appear even on the outskirts of the Sich.

It seemed strange to the brothers that many people came to the Sich, but no one asked who they were or what their names were. The visitor appeared to the Koshevoi, who asked him only two questions: whether he believed in Christ and whether he went to church, and then forced him to cross himself. The entire Sich prayed in one church and was ready to defend it to the last drop of blood, although they did not want to hear anything about fasting and abstinence. The Sich consisted of more than sixty kurens, each of which resembled a separate independent republic. All property was in the hands of the kuren chieftain.

The brothers rushed with all their youthful fervor into this riotous sea and at that moment forgot everything that had previously worried their souls. Soon they both became in good standing with others. Although there was no science in the Sich, which the Cossack tries, Ostap and Andriy became noticeable for their luck. But old Taras was preparing another activity for them, having long been thinking about how to incite the Sich into such a brave enterprise, where the young knight could try his hand. He approached the Koshevo chieftain and asked where to go for a walk? Koshevoy replied that there was nowhere to roam, because they promised peace to the Turkish Sultan. Bulba, in retaliation, got several of the most determined kuren atamans drunk and started a riot, as a result of which a new koshevoy, ataman Kirdyaga, was elected. The crowd immediately dispersed to drink to the health of the new Koschevoy. Finally, the screams and noise began to subside, drunkenness and fatigue began to overcome the strong heads. The Cossacks began to fall here and there - and the whole Sich fell asleep.

The next day, Bulba began to confer with the new Koshevoy on how to rouse the Cossacks to some cause. Kirdyaga, a smart and cunning man, said that you cannot break your oath, but you can come up with something. After long speeches, the Koshevoi proposed to give the opportunity to amuse the young Cossacks, who had never been in a real battle, off the coast of Anatolia. When the whole Sich began to shout that not only young people needed to go on a campaign, the cunning ataman found a way out, declaring that they did not have any canoes in the right quantity, not as much gunpowder as needed. Having made a little noise, the Cossacks decided to listen to the prudent advice of the ataman.

At a time when the youth began to prepare for the campaign, a ferry moored to the shore, from which the tattered Cossacks disembarked. Their appearance showed that they had either escaped some kind of misfortune, or had drunk everything to the last penny. These people spoke about the outrages that are happening in Ukraine: that orthodox churches in rent from the Jews, that Polish priests ride on tarataykas, and harness Orthodox Christians to them. They also told about the death of the hetman and colonels. The crowd was silent at first, then rose up and began to speak at once, outraged by what they heard. The Cossacks rushed at the Jews who were trading right there in order to hang their damned tribe or drown them in the Dnieper. Only Yankel escaped, he grabbed Bulba by the leg and said that he had once helped Bulba’s late brother, Dorosh, ransom from captivity.

The entire Sich began to prepare for the campaign, all the Cossacks stood with their heads bowed respectfully, listening to the orders of the Koshe chieftain. Now he was an unlimited ruler, a despot who gave orders in a quiet voice, a Cossack deeply experienced in business. It was decided to march on Poland to avenge the disgrace of Cossack glory.

Soon the entire Polish southwest became a prey to fear. Rumors spread everywhere about the approach of the Cossacks, and everything that could escape rose and fled. The terrible cruelty of the Cossacks made everyone, young and old, tremble. They spared no one: neither babies, nor women, nor monks, nor old people. Fires, robberies, robberies, murders were their companions throughout the journey.

Old Taras was pleased to see how both sons soon became one of the first on the battlefield. Within a month, they seemed to be reborn and became husbands. The facial features became menacing and strong. Ostap was never at a loss or embarrassed in battle. At twenty-two years old, he was amazingly calm and could always soberly assess danger in order to avoid it. But for him, evading did not mean “avoiding,” but only meant finding a means to more accurately overcome this danger. The body of the young Cossack breathed with strength, and knightly qualities acquired the strength of a lion. Andriy saw in battle the frenzied bliss and ecstasy of the whistling of bullets, the shine of sabers, and more than once the young Cossack, with his frantic onslaught, performed such miracles that an experienced, calculating warrior would not have dared to do.

The army decided to march on the city of Dubno, where, according to rumors, there were a lot of treasury and rich inhabitants. The path was covered in a day and a half. But the residents were ready for a siege, the garrison was strong, the townspeople, among whom were women, threw stones, barrels, hot pitch and bags of sand on the heads of the Cossacks. Then the Cossacks surrounded the city so that the inhabitants would die of hunger, while they themselves began to devastate and burn the fields with unharvested grain. But soon the siege began to tire. Koshevoy ordered the portion of wine to be doubled, as often happened in such cases, but the Cossacks were still bored from inaction.

One evening Ostap went to his kuren, and Andriy was overcome by some kind of stuffiness in his heart, so he could not sleep and looked at the sky for a long time. At this time, someone's haggard, withered face leaned over him. At first, Andriy took this for the tricks of an unclean spirit, but soon, looking closer, he began to recognize familiar features in this emaciated face. Then he finally recognized the Tatar woman, the maid of the lady, the governor’s daughter. From the woman he learned that the lady was here in the city and was starving, like all the defenders of the besieged fortress. The girl saw Andriy from the fortress wall and sent a maid to ask him for bread for her dying mother.

Andriy, overwhelmed by surging feelings, grabbed a bag of bread and wanted to take some porridge, but it turned out that the Cossacks had eaten all of it. Then through underground passage I followed the Tatar woman into the city. Andriy and his guide passed the underground passage. On the way, the Tatar woman ate a small piece of bread, and this caused her to feel severe pain in her stomach, which was weaned from food. The woman stopped often. Finally they came up against an iron door. The Tatar woman did not even have the strength to knock on her; Andriy did it instead of the woman. The door was opened by a monk who retreated in fear at the sight of a Zaporozhye Cossack. The Tatar woman said something to him, and the monk calmed down. They walked through the Catholic church, and Andriy, with his mouth half open, froze in admiration, listening to the organ.

The Tatar woman pulled him by the hem of his caftan, they passed the church and went out into the street. Everywhere Andriy saw the corpses of people who had died of hunger. He asked if there was really nothing to eat? It turned out that they ate everything that could be eaten, even dogs and mice. On the way they met a man dying of hunger. Andriy gave him a crust of bread, but the unfortunate man, having eaten it, immediately died in agony. Soon they arrived at the house. The Tatar woman led him straight to the door of her mistress's room. Entering the room, Andriy saw that the girl, during the time that they had not seen each other, had become twice as beautiful. He stood motionless, feeling awe in his soul. She, too, was amazed at the sight of the young Cossack, who appeared in all the beauty and strength of youthful courage.

The beauty did not know how to thank Andria. At this time, a Tatar woman entered the room with sliced ​​​​slices of bread on a platter. The girl began to eat. Andriy looked at her with pleasure, but suddenly remembered the man, mad from hunger, who died before his eyes after eating a piece of bread. He shouted at her not to eat anymore, otherwise she might die. The girl immediately obeyed him and thanked him with a glance for his concern.

Obeying an impulse, Andriy confessed his feelings to her, promising to give her everything he had and to fulfill any of her wishes. The girl sadly objected that he could not love her, because his duty was to be with his father and comrades, to fight for his homeland. Then Andriy said that he did not need either his father or his comrades, she was his homeland. A maid ran in and said that they were saved because help had arrived in the city. But Andriy no longer heard anything, clinging to the lips of the young Polish woman. And the Cossack died! He died for the entire Cossack knighthood. Old Taras will tear out a tuft of gray hair and curse the hour when he gave birth to such a son to his shame.

At first, no one in the Zaporozhye camp could understand how Polish troops were able to get into the city. It turned out that the Pereyaslavsky kuren, located in front of the city gates, was dead drunk. Half of the Cossacks from the kuren were killed by the Poles, the other half were captured. The Jew Yankel told Taras that he made his way into the besieged city and met Andriy there. Andriy went over to the side of the Poles and ordered Yankel to tell his father that he was no longer his father, his brother that he was no longer his brother, and his comrades were no longer comrades. He will now fight with everyone and free the city from the Cossacks. Bulba was angry and did not believe the Jew, but Yankel explained that all this was because of the beauty, the daughter of the governor. Old Taras became thoughtful and remembered what power women had over his youngest son. After all, as Yankel said, if a person falls in love, then he is like a sole soaked in water: try to bend it - it will bend.

In the fierce battle under the walls of the besieged city, Andria was not present. Bulba again wondered why he hated the beautiful Polish woman who had charmed his son. The sun had not yet risen when the Cossacks gathered for a council. The news came that during the absence of the Cossacks, the Tatars flew into the Sich, robbed, took all their belongings, beat and captured everyone who remained. In such cases, it was the custom of the Cossacks to chase the kidnappers, because it was not known at what bazaar captive Cossacks could be sold as slaves. But Taras was not happy with this development of events. He recalled that there were captured Cossacks in the city who also needed to be rescued.

After much deliberation and wrangling, it was decided to split into two armies. Part of the Cossacks, led by the Koshevoy, headed home to restore order, and the second part, under the command of Colonel Bulba, remained under the siege of the city. The decision was supported, but sadness and melancholy overwhelmed the comrades, because it was unclear how their life would turn out. further fate. Bulba, seeing this, ordered the servants to unpack his treasured cart, which contained barrels of the old treasured wine, which had been lying in Taras’s cellars for a long time.

The city did not immediately realize that half of the Cossacks had left. But it soon became clear that there was not enough food in the city for the approaching army, and a sortie was launched by the besieged. Half of the brave men were immediately killed by the Cossacks, and the second half left with nothing. However, the Jews took advantage of the foray and soon everyone found out: who left and who stayed, why and why such actions were taken. The city garrison perked up, and the troops prepared to give battle. Bulba realized this from the movement of the enemy army and began to prepare the Cossacks for battle, and then lined them up and said in front of them heartfelt speech about what partnership is. This speech made a strong impression on the Cossacks.

Meanwhile, the enemy army moved out of the city. The Poles' forces were superior to the Cossacks, and a battle ensued. mortal combat. The Cossacks fought bravely, Colonel Taras Bulba himself fought heroically and led the attackers, victory was already close. But then the gates opened, and a hussar regiment, the beauty of all cavalry regiments, flew out. The most handsome knight, the most lively, rushed ahead. Tied on his hand was a scarf, sewn by the hands of a beautiful Polish woman. Taras was stunned when he saw that it was his youngest son. Taras stopped and watched as Andriy, clearing the way in front of him, rained blows right and left. Bulba could not stand it and was indignant at the fact that his son was cutting off his own heads. But Andriy did not distinguish anything around him, he saw only the features of the beautiful Polish woman.

Taras Bulba ordered his Cossacks to lure Andriy to the forest. Andriy flared up when Golokopytenko hit him flat on the back. Andriy accelerated on his horse and almost caught up with Golokopytenko when his horse was stopped by someone’s strong hand. Andriy looked around - Taras was standing in front! He shook all over and became pale. Andriy's anger passed, and he saw only his terrible father in front of him. Bulba asked what they should do now. Andriy was silent, his eyes downcast. Taras asked if the Poles helped his son. Andriy was still unresponsive. Following his father's orders, he got off his horse. Andriy was as pale as a sheet, and only his lips whispered the name of the beautiful Polish woman. The father, saying that he would kill the son he himself had given birth to, fired a gun and killed him. Then he stood for a long time and looked at the beautiful body, regretting that he was a kind Cossack...

Ostap drove up and asked his father if it was he who killed Andriy. Bulba just nodded. Ostap wanted to bury the body, but Taras did not allow it, saying that Andriy would have mourners. The Cossacks arrived one after another and shouted to the ataman that new help was coming for the Poles. The Kurken atamans died, and the Cossacks now want to see Bulba before they die. He ordered Ostap to immediately mount his horse. But before they had time to leave the forest, they were surrounded on all sides by enemy forces. Six enemies attacked Ostap. Ostap fought bravely, but there were many enemies, and now old Bulba saw his son’s hands being tied.

Taras was saved. His faithful comrade Tovkach brought Bulba, all wounded and chopped up with sabers, to the Sich, where strong body and the will to live brought the old colonel to his feet. There were people who did not hand over Bulba, although his head was valued by his enemies at a large sum. Bulba became gloomy and sad. He remembered that his son Ostap was in captivity. Taras looked around him and saw that almost none of his old comrades were left, both those who fought with the Poles and those who went to battle with the Tatars. There were a lot of new people in the Sich.

Meanwhile, the Cossacks were preparing for a new sea expedition. Hike to Asia Minor was successful and huge booty was taken. But this did not please Taras, who remembered the terrible fate of his Ostap. Finally, he couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to find out where Ostap was. A week later, fully armed, Taras was already in the city of Uman with his old friend Yankel. Bulba asked the enterprising Jew to take him to Warsaw, because he needed to see his son Ostap. Yankel asked if Bulba knew that they were giving two thousand gold pieces for his head. Of course, Bulba knew, which is why he paid a lot of money to be in Warsaw. And people like Yankel were created to deceive everyone. An hour later, a cart with a brick left Uman, at the bottom of which Taras Bulba lay hidden.

In Warsaw, Bulba found himself among the Jews and began to ask them for help in saving his son. To his request, everyone first answered that this could not be done, and then they said that they needed to consult with one wise man. A Jew named Mordecai, considered the most resourceful, promised to help, but could not do anything, because the prisoners were guarded by three thousand troops. True, he agreed with the guard about the possibility of arranging a meeting with Ostap. The meeting did not take place: the previous guard was replaced, and Bulba almost gave himself away by losing his temper during a conversation with the new one. Then Taras ordered Yankel to lead him to the square where Ostap would be tortured. Yankel tried to refuse, saying that nothing could be done to help, but Bulba was stubborn. Meanwhile, people poured into the execution square from all sides. In that rough age, execution was one of the most entertaining spectacles. The crowd, drawn from all walks of life, discussed what they were about to see. Suddenly everyone made a noise and voices were heard: “They are leading! Cossacks!”

The Cossacks walked silently, with some pride. Their once rich dress was worn out, they did not look at anyone and did not bow to the people. Ostap walked ahead. He endured all the torment with dignity, and only before the very end his strength left him. Before his death, he wanted to see a firm husband who would console him with a reasonable word. And Ostap exclaimed, turning to his father, is he here, can he hear him. "I hear you!" - was heard among general silence, and all the people trembled. Yankel turned pale, he turned with fear to look at Taras, but there was no trace of him.

Taras's trace was found. A new army of one hundred and twenty thousand Cossacks rose on the border of Ukraine. They were led by a young but strong-willed hetman. The most selected regiment was led by Taras Bulba. The chronicles describe in detail the battles of the Cossacks. Polish garrisons fled from the cities liberated by the Cossacks. The life of Hetman Potocki was saved only by the Russian clergy. The Cossack hetman agreed, succumbing to the persuasion of the priests, to release Pototsky, taking an oath from him, to leave him free Christian churches and not to offend the Cossack army. Only one colonel did not agree to such a peace - Taras Bulba. He knew the value of the Poles’ oaths and, predicting the Cossack hetman’s imminent death, left the army, taking his regiment with him. Soon it happened exactly as Bulba predicted. The head of the Cossack hetman flew from his shoulders along with the heads of many dignitaries.

Meanwhile, Bulba walked throughout Poland and exterminated its inhabitants with fire and sword, sparing no one. The Polish government decided to end it. Pototsky caught up with Bulba and his Cossacks on the banks of the Dniester, in the old fortress, which they occupied for rest. The Cossacks fought for four days, then, when the defending forces were running out, Taras decided to break through the Polish ranks. Maybe the old Cossack would have been able to escape, but his cradle with tobacco fell out, and Taras did not want his cradle to go to the Poles. While he was looking for her in the grass, the Poles swooped in and grabbed him. The Poles thought for a long time what kind of “honor” to give him, and finally, with the consent of the hetman, they decided to burn him at the stake.

They pulled him with chains to a tree trunk and began to build a fire below. But Taras was not looking at the fire, but at his comrades. He shouted to go to the shore, because there were canoes there. The wind carried his words to the others, but Bulba himself received a blow to the head for this. Taras saw how the Cossacks jumped straight on their horses into the Dniester, and only two did not make it. The Polish colonel, the brother of the beauty who had enchanted poor Andriy, wanted to jump after them, but was broken on the rocks. Bulba, waking up, shouted to the Cossacks to come here in the spring and have a nice walk here. The Poles will also learn what the Orthodox faith is.

The fire was already rising above the fire, engulfing Taras’s legs and spreading flames across the tree. Are there really such fires, torments and such strength in the world that would overpower the Russian force! The Cossacks sailed along the Dniester, rowed together and talked about their chieftain.

The historical meaning of the Little Russian Cossacks was the struggle for nationality and faith. This struggle with the Turks, Tatars and Poles strengthened the people's character, gave the Cossacks of Ukraine the features of iron energy, which was often delayed and hidden under the guise of cunning and simple-minded cunning, even phlegmaticity and laziness, then suddenly broke free and took on wide dimensions of elemental force, not who knew restraint and limits. The life of the Cossacks was difficult: they had to fight with both cunning and force, they had to be both a diplomat and a soldier. This is exactly how Gogol describes this life in Taras Bulba. The needs of the time demanded many practical knowledge: every Cossack had to be a farmer, a hunter, a cattle breeder, a gardener, a doctor, and a craftsman. This developed versatility, resourcefulness, and enterprise, but did not tie a person to any one specific activity. Gogol shows that the Cossack’s constant readiness to meet danger, uncertainty in tomorrow taught to look death indifferently in the eyes, not to value one’s own head, but not to be embarrassed by the fate of others...

Attack of the Cossacks in the steppe. Painting by F. Roubaud, 1881

From the descriptions of “Taras Bulba” it is clear that family life Cossacks marched dissolutely and carelessly. The Cossack did not need family and home; these attachments were replaced by a spirit of “comradeship”, which bound them into a free squad of daredevils, “knights”, who gathered in the Zaporozhye Sich. Gogol shows that harsh life, full of danger, developed in the stern hearts of the Cossacks a spirit of daring and, at the same time, the ability to look at all dangers with indifferent calm, even with humor.

For people like Taras Bulba, there were few “saints” in life, the Christian faith, homeland and a sense of camaraderie. These few and simple ideals, however, filled the life of the Cossacks with meaning, purified their existence, made them “knights,” as they called themselves, justified them in their own eyes, and robber raids on the shores of the Black Sea, and brutal reprisals against Jews and Catholics.

The Cossacks of Taras Bulba's time served patriotism selflessly; it was the main ideal of their life, a harsh and cruel ideal that obscured all other attachments and aspirations (to family, to women, to peaceful pursuits). Many of these traits remained in the soul of the Little Russians until the time of Gogol, and in his “Evenings”, in “Viy” he collected all these crumbling remnants of former feelings, fettered by a brilliant past, but no longer finding an explanation in the present... In “ Taras Bulba" Gogol explained where the Little Russians came from this lazy indifference, this phlegmatism, this humor and stubbornness, all those national traits, which he collected and embodied in characters his heroic story. What in modern life seemed funny, even caricatured, then in the historical coverage of the heroic story about Taras it acquired serious and deep interest. That is why this story by Gogol, and main character it has great historical significance.

main feature work of art on historical topic- in that the author organically combines a story about events that actually took place with the author’s fiction. The story “Taras Bulba” by N.V. Gogol is somewhat unusual in this regard: historical events it is not specified; moreover, when reading, it is sometimes quite difficult to determine at what time the actions take place - in the 15th, 16th or 17th centuries. In addition, none of the heroes is a historical figure, including Taras himself. Despite this, from the moment the work appeared, it has been classified as an epic story, sometimes called a novel. What is the strength and scale of “Taras Bulba”?

The history of the story

The writer’s appeal to the topic of the Cossacks was not accidental. A native of the Poltava province, since childhood he had heard a lot about the heroic feat of the people during the fight against numerous external invaders. Later, when Gogol began to write, he was particularly interested in such brave and devoted people as Taras Bulba. There were many of them in the Sich. Often former serfs became Cossacks - they found a home and comrades here.

N.V. Gogol studied many sources devoted to this issue, including manuscripts of Ukrainian chronicles, historical research Boplan and Myshetsky. Not satisfied with what he read (in his opinion, they contained meager information, which was not enough to understand the soul of the people), Gogol turned to folklore. and the Dumas dedicated to them talked about the peculiarities of the characters, morals and life of the Cossacks. They gave the writer excellent “living” material, which became an excellent addition to scientific sources, and some storylines included in the story in a revised form.

Historical basis of the story

“Taras Bulba” is a book about free people who inhabited the territory of the Dnieper region in the 16th and 17th centuries. Their center was the Zaporozhye Sich - its name is due to the fact that it was fortified on all sides with a fence of fallen trees - abatis. It had its own way of life and management. Subject to frequent attacks from Poles, Turks, and Lithuanians, the Cossacks had a very strong, well-trained army. Most They spent time in battles and military campaigns, and the trophies they obtained became their main means of livelihood. It is no coincidence that the light rooms in the house where his wife lived alone include numerous signs of the owner’s camp life.

The year 1596 became fatal for the Ukrainian people, who were at that time under the rule of the Lithuanians and Poles. adopted a union on the unification under the authority of the Pope of Rome of two Christian religions: Orthodox and Catholic. Decision further complicated the difficult relations between the Poles and the Cossacks, which resulted in open military confrontations. Gogol dedicated his story to this period.

Image of the Zaporozhye Sich

The main school for educating persistent, courageous warriors was a special way of life and management, and the teachers were experienced Cossacks who had repeatedly shown their valor in battle. One of them was Colonel Taras Bulba. His biography is a story about the formation of a true patriot, for whom the interests and freedom of the fatherland are above all.

Reminds me great republic, based on the principles of humanism and equality. Koshevoy was chosen by a general decision, usually from among the most worthy. During the battle, the Cossacks had to obey him unconditionally, but in Peaceful time It was his duties that included taking care of the Cossacks.

In the Sich, everything was arranged to ensure the everyday life and military campaigns of its inhabitants: all kinds of workshops and forges worked, and cattle were raised. Ostap and Andriy will see all this when Taras Bulba brings them here.

The history of the short existence of the Zaporozhye Republic showed new way organization of people's lives, based on brotherhood, unity and freedom, and not on the oppression of the weak by the strong.

The main school for the Cossack is the military brotherhood

How the formation of young warriors took place can be judged by the example of the sons of Taras, Ostap and Andriy. They completed their studies at Bursa, after which their path lay in Zaporozhye. The father greets his sons after a long separation not with hugs and kisses, but with a fist test of their strength and dexterity.

The life of Taras Bulba was unpretentious, as evidenced by the feast in honor of the arrival of his sons (“bring... the whole ram, the goat... and more burners” - these are the words the old Cossack addresses to his wife) and sleep in the open air.

Ostap and Andriy had not even been at home for a day before they set off for the Sich, where the best comradeship in the world and glorious exploits for their homeland and religion awaited them. Their father was convinced that the only real school for them could be participation in combat battles.

Cossacks

Approaching the Sich, Taras and his sons saw a Cossack picturesquely sleeping in the middle of the road. He spread out like a lion and attracted everyone's admiration. Wide trousers like the sea, a proudly thrown forelock (it was certainly left on a shaved head), a good horse - this is what a real Cossack looked like. It is no coincidence that the main character of the story appeals to his sons with a call to immediately change their “demonic” clothes (they came from Bursa in them) to something worthy of a Cossack. And they really were immediately transformed in morocco boots, wide trousers, scarlet Cossacks and lambskin hats. The image was completed with a Turkish pistol and a sharp saber. The young men riding on the glorious stallions evoked admiration and pride from their father.

The historical basis of the story “Taras Bulba” obliged the author to treat the Cossacks impartially. With all due respect to them and their valor, Gogol also truthfully says that at times their behavior caused condemnation and misunderstanding. This referred to the riotous and drunken life that they led in between battles, excessive cruelty (for the murder of a criminal they were buried in a grave with the victim alive) and a low cultural level.

The Power of Camaraderie

The main advantage of the Cossacks was that in a moment of danger they could quickly mobilize and act as a single army against the enemy. Their dedication, patriotism, courage and devotion common cause had no boundaries. In the story, this was proven more than once by Taras Bulba himself. The biography of other prominent warriors, including experienced Tovkach, Kukubenko, Pavel Gubenko, Mosiy Shilo and young Ostap, also emphasizes this.

Bulba said well about the unity and main purpose of the Cossacks in his speech on the eve of the decisive battle: “There are no bonds more holy than comradeship!” His speech is an expression of great wisdom and holy faith that he and his brethren are defending a just cause. At a difficult moment, Taras’s words encourage the Cossacks, remind them of their sacred duty to protect their comrades, always remember the Orthodox faith and devotion to their homeland. The worst thing for a Cossack was betrayal: this was not forgiven to anyone. Taras kills his own son after learning that because of his love for a beautiful Polish woman, he chose personal interests over public ones. So the bonds of brotherhood turned out to be more important than blood. The fact that this fact corresponded to reality is evidenced by historical background stories.

Taras Bulba - the best representative of the Cossacks

A colonel with a stern character who has gone through a glorious battle path. A glorious ataman and comrade who could support with an encouraging word and give good advice V Hard time. He had a burning hatred for the enemy who encroached on the Orthodox faith, and did not regret own life for the sake of saving the homeland and their brothers in arms. Accustomed to a free life, he was content clear field and was absolutely unpretentious in everyday life. This is how Gogol portrays the main character. He spent his whole life in battles and always found himself in the most dangerous place. Weapons, a smoking pipe and the glorious horse of Taras Bulba constituted his main wealth. At the same time, he could joke and joke around, he was happy with life.

The hero, disappointed in his youngest son, felt great pride in Ostap. Risking his life, Bulba came to the place of execution to see him for the last time. And when Ostap, who steadfastly endured the agony of death, last minute called him, in one word, which made the whole square tremble, he expressed his pride, approval and support not only for his son, but for his spiritual comrade and ally. Until the end of his life, Taras will grieve for his son and take revenge for his death. The experience will add to his cruelty and hatred of the enemy, but will not break his will and fortitude.

The story does not contain the usual description of Taras Bulba for the hero, since this is not so important. The main thing is that he has the qualities that made it possible to survive during that cruel time.

Hyperbolization of Taras in the execution scene

The characterization of the hero is complemented by the description of his death, which is largely absurd. The hero is captured because he bends down to pick up a fallen pipe - he doesn’t even want to give it to the damned enemy. Here Taras resembles a folk hero: about three dozen people were able to defeat him with difficulty.

In the last scene, the author describes not the pain from the fire that the hero experienced, but his anxiety for the fate of his brothers floating down the river. At the moment of death, he behaves with dignity, remaining true to the main principles of partnership. The main thing is that he was sure that he had not lived his life in vain. This is exactly what a real Cossack was like.

The significance of the work today

The historical basis of the story “Taras Bulba” is liberation struggle people with invaders who encroached on their country and faith. Thanks to such strong spirit people like Taras Bulba, his son and comrades managed to defend independence and freedom more than once.

The work of N.V. Gogol and his heroes have become a model of masculinity and patriotism for many, so it will never lose its relevance and significance.