HeroShort descriptionPavel Afanasyevich Famusov The surname "Famusov" comes from the Latin word "fama", which means "rumour": by this Griboedov wanted to emphasize that Famusov is afraid of rumors, public opinion, but on the other hand, the root of the word "Famusov" is the root of the Latin word "famosus" - famous, famousA wealthy landowner and a major official. He is a famous person in the circle of the Moscow nobility. A well-born nobleman: related to the nobleman Maxim Petrovich, closely acquainted with the chamberlain Kuzma Petrovich. According to his views, he is an “Old Believer”, an ardent defender of the rights of the feudal nobility, an opponent of everything new, progressive. A fan of the customs and lifestyle of the Moscow nobility. Hospitable, hospitable host, an interesting storyteller, a loving and caring father. An imperious gentleman, in the service he is strict with his subordinates but patronizes his relatives. He is not devoid of a practical worldly mind. good nature. Capable of lying and pretense, quick-tempered, flattering to those on whom he depends. The hero's speech is diverse, contains proverbs, folk expressions. ; flattering and ingratiating notes with those who have influence and power: affectionately patronizing in relation to Sophia.Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin A crook and a businessman. The desire for a career, the ability to serve, hypocrisy - this is what forms the basis of the character of the hero. He is laconic: "not rich in words", "because now they love the wordless." with whom he speaks. He developed his own tactics of behavior to achieve the cherished chain - a high position in society and material well-being. He has two talents: "moderation and accuracy." He has no moral ideas about the happiness and duty of a citizen, about love and fidelity. He treats Chatsky with contempt and patronizing, trying to teach him how to live in the world.Sergei Sergeevich SkalozubColonel. Lisa: "And the golden bag, and marks the generals"Career officer: “I just wish I could become a general.” Mentally, he is a narrow-minded person (Sofya about Skalozub: “he didn’t utter a smart word from his generation”). He condemns all education and enlightenment. condemning his cousin. "A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas." Not devoid of aplomb and arrogance.Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky “A notorious swindler, a rogue”, “don’t sit down: he’ll sell!” “He’s a liar, a gambler, a thief.” Sometimes it is suggested that the hero may be close to a political investigation. ". Despite its dubious reputation, it is accepted in all noble houses: “We are scolded everywhere, but accepted everywhere,” says Gorich.Repetklov (surname comes from the French word "relet", meaning "to repeat")He strives to be known as an advanced person. He does not have his own convictions, since he does not understand everything he talks about, but simply repeats with a significant and important look. Talkativeness, quick transitions from one topic to another characterize the hero’s inner emptiness. ". By its own definition - "blank".Sofia Pavlovna Famusova Clever, proud, with a strong character, with a warm heart, dreamy. Mocking, vindictive. Gives very accurate characteristics to guests in her father's house. Her mind is manifested in generalized statements: "Happy hours do not watch." “Just think how capricious happiness is, but grief awaits around the corner.” “This is a mixture of good instincts with lies, a lively mind with the absence of any hint of ideas and convictions, confusion of concepts, mental and moral rashness - all this does not have the character of picnic vices in her, but appears as common features of her circle.” (A. I. Goncharov "A Million of Torments")Alexander Andreevich Chatsky Liza: “... so sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp ...” Sofya: “Sharp, smart, eloquent. especially happy in friends ... "Chatsky's mind is a powerful force in the fight against inertia and despotism. In this context, "smart" is a synonym for the concepts of "free-thinking", that is, a person of independent, freedom-loving views. A patriot who sincerely wishes prosperity to his Fatherland. He despises servility and careerism. He condemns serfdom, speaks of the injustice of the past century of “submission and fear”, “the age of flattery and arrogance”. He condemns the imitation of everything foreign, the worship of French or German traditions, stands up for the development of the national, Russian. He believes that a person deserves respect not for his origin or the number of serfs, but for his personal merits.
Sirvint-Sherman Z.M. Sketch of a theatrical production for the play by A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"
The image of Famusov
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov is an aged man, self-confident and domineering. A wealthy nobleman, a widower, the father of his only seventeen-year-old daughter, whom he loves very much and brings up in his own way, in the spirit of the old times. Famusov is a major official, although he approaches his service formally, he is not interested in it (...signed, so off his shoulders). Always strives for his own benefit. This is evident from the way he talks about the marriage of his daughter. Famusov loves to brag. He even boasts about things he doesn't have, such as his monastic behavior, although he himself flirts with the maid Lisa. In the image of Famusov, the author depicts an ordinary person for that time, with his views on life and education.
The image of Sophia
Sofya is Famusov's daughter, she is seventeen years old. From the words of her father, we learn that she lost her mother early, so Madame Rosier and visiting teachers were involved in her upbringing. As a child, she was very friendly with Chatsky, possibly in love with him. Likes to read French novels. He treats his maid Lisa well, considers her the only devoted person. Sincerely loves Molchalin, considers him smart, handsome and similar to the hero of her favorite French novels. He does not hesitate, on occasion, to deceive his father, he absolutely does not sympathize with Chatsky.
The image of Chatsky
Chatsky is a young man, a childhood friend of Sophia. He is very smart and well-read. His speech is literate and colorful. Arriving from abroad in Moscow, he hurries to meet Sofia, rejoices at the upcoming date. He is lively, inspired, eloquent (even talkative), sharp, full of life, jokes a lot. But the strange cold reception offends him, he is upset and puzzled by Sophia's inattention, because, hurrying to his homeland, Chatsky hoped that she was waiting for him.
Chatsky mocks and condemns the life of the Moscow nobles. He does not like that Russian children are taught to read and write by foreign teachers, and the children do not know pure Russian. Chatsky came to Russia with the hope of changing the old order, but these hopes did not come true.
The image of Molchalin
Molchalin is a young man in the service of Famusov. He is his secretary and lives at his house. Before meeting Famusov, Molchalin was either a petty nobleman or a commoner, after meeting he began to quickly move up the career ladder.
The characteristic features of Molchalin are the desire for a career, the ability to serve, hypocrisy. He is laconic. This is due to his fear of expressing his judgment. Molchalin knows that if he wants to make a career, then he needs to please his bosses in everything. In an effort to rise in rank, Molchalin fawns, serves up to influential people. He speaks differently to different people. He refers to Famusov respectfully, to Sophia - with particular modesty, with Liza he is not shy in expressions, with Chatsky he speaks outwardly politely, but behind this lies complacency, mockery and the desire to teach. The manner of talking to people reveals all the hypocrisy of Molchalin. His father bequeathed to him to please with all the people who can somehow be useful to him. And he largely follows this advice.
Chatsky, who knows the type of officials like Molchalin, predicts for him the possibility of a brilliant career.
Characteristics of the Moscow nobility
About the life, life and customs of Moscow in the 20s of the XIX century. and its individuals, we learn from the words of Chatsky and Famusov. Before us appears a sleepy, ossified life, where for many years nothing has changed. Blind worship of everything foreign is shown, whether it concerns fashion, upbringing or language. The empty occupations of many are attending numerous balls, festivities, in order to follow the ladies there. The serf-owner-theater is mentioned - a cruel tyrant, obscurantist - a member of the academic council.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky- a young male nobleman who adheres to new, more modern views and concepts. He goes against the old and all centuries old traditions. Chatsky believes that it is precisely because of old customs that Russia cannot become the greatest power.
Alexander has a bad attitude towards submission, lies, bribery and much more. He sees no reason to love and run in search of tender feelings. Also, Chatsky does not understand why the old people adhere to old opinions, forgetting about the present, and cannot understand that it is science that will lift the country to heaven.
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov- one of the brightest representatives of the old time, who is accustomed to bribes and other vices. Famusov has a high rank, but he received it not thanks to his mind and ingenuity, but with the help of other people. Paul does not understand new trends and blindly believes in the old orders.
But one should not think that the hero has some negative traits, there are others. After the death of his friend, he took custody of his son and raised him as his own. Famusov is an impudent person who finds love only in money, which is why he believes that you need to get married only if it brings money, otherwise you should not worry.
Sofia Famusova- daughter of Pavel Famusov. She is a proud, brash, narcissistic woman who doesn't mind playing with a man's feelings either for profit or just for her own amusement. At one time, she fell in love with Chatsky, and for a long time "played" with him until it was all over. Also, Sophia at one time "had fun" with Molchalin, who suited her more than his friend.
The main problem, why Sophia did not grow together with relations with Chatsky, is different outlooks on life. Like her father, a woman is quite critical of everything new, she prefers older orders and foundations.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin- is the chief secretary of Famusov. He is a rather arrogant and cunning person who in everything tries to find a benefit for himself first. Aleksey is a person who prefers to remain silent and stay away in order to enter into a conflict in time, and he has taken a more correct and advantageous position for himself.
Despite his cunning and arrogance, he is quite a dreamy person who believes in a better future. Molchalin is a careerist, and dreams of finding a rich and profitable job, having a high rank, to be respected and praised by others, and also to ascend to high society. It is thanks to this that a man tries to please every person from high society. Molchalin does not have a noble family, therefore, in such ways, he tries to take his place under the stars.
Option 2
The main theme of the work in the form of opposition of the current century to the past century in combination with a love storyline is revealed by the writer in the images of the main characters of the comedy Chatsky, Famusov, his daughter Sophia and Molchalin.
Chatsky is presented as a young nobleman who does not recognize the ossified orders of the old society, criticizes the negative vices of bureaucracy, and shows true patriotic feelings.
He is opposed by a representative of the nobility in the image of Famusov, who does not accept changes in public life, supports the existing situation in a country mired in bribery and the use of necessary connections.
Famusov's daughter, Sophia, is a proud and dreamy girl who supports her father's position, considering Chatsky's proposals unreasonable.
In the image of Molchalin, the writer represents a true careerist who, with the help of flattery, servility, gains access to secular society and acquires a high rank.
The secondary characters of the comedy are Repetilov, depicted as an old friend of Famusov, distinguished by stupidity and empty talk, a wealthy middle-aged officer Skalozub, described as an ignorant martinet who dreams of a general rank, and also a servant of the Famusov family, Lisa, characterized by quick wit, intelligence, but at the same time windiness.
An important place among the comedy characters is occupied by third-rate heroes, some of which do not appear in the play with their own eyes, but their names are mentioned in the dialogues and monologues of other heroes of the work. Among them stand out Zagoretsky, an active participant card games, elderly spouses Tugoukhovsky, attending social events in order to marry six daughters, married couple Gorichey as part of the head of the family, Platon Mikhailovich, who is henpecked by his young wife, Natalya Dmitrievna.
In addition, among the representatives of the Famus society, the writer presents the old woman Khlestova, a pompous woman who became interested in breeding cats in her old age, as well as the barman Petrushka, a poor servant, distinguished by kindness and sincerity.
Some interesting essays
- The meaning of the title of the story Matryonin yard Solzhenitsyn
One of the most important components of a work is its title. And this is not accidental, since the title allows you to correctly comprehend the theme, the idea of the author, to reveal the images of the characters.
One of the brightest episodes in the novel by Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy "War and Peace" was the image of the combat clash of enemy troops at Shengraben.
The events depicted in the play take place in the post-war years (after the war of 1812), when two opposing camps begin to unfold. These are advanced nobles and conservatives. In the play, the advanced nobles are represented by Chatsky, and the conservatives are all
Conflict
An epochal conflict was reflected in a private conflict. But the public would not have become so significant if it had not been associated with specific individuals, albeit fictitious ones. A smart and honest, open young man is struggling with the vicious age of the past.
In the work there are two storylines: love and social. The comedy begins with a love story. Chatsky, who had been absent for three years, arrives at Famusov's house, he is met by the owner's daughter Sophia. "Woe from Wit" is a love story. Chatsky is in love and expects reciprocity from the girl. Further, the love line is intertwined with the public one.
Chatsky and Famusov embodied two opposing camps in society. Alexander Andreevich's conflict with the past century becomes inevitable as soon as Chatsky crosses the threshold of Famusov's house. He, with his honest views and ideas, comes across viciousness, mustiness and servility.
The speech of heroes and speaking surnames
If we talk about the speech of the comedy characters, it quite clearly characterizes their features. For example, Skalozub often uses military vocabulary, which speaks of his profession. Khlestova uses a rich, rich vocabulary. Main character Chatsky masterfully speaks Russian, which is worth only his monologues, filled with such liveliness and beauty (“Who are the judges?”). Chatsky is not only a young man in love, he is first of all an ardent exposer of the vices of the Famus society. Only with words and nothing more does the truth-seeker Chatsky stigmatize those around him. Many phrases put into the mouth of the protagonist have become winged. Chatsky's speech, on the one hand, was close to the language of Radishchev, on the other hand, it was very peculiar. A.S. Griboyedov fundamentally refused to comedy in the monologues of the main character from bookish speech and foreign words.
The names of the characters can be safely called speaking. Molchalin in the comedy "Woe from Wit" (from the word "silent") is a laconic, quiet young man. This list can be supplemented with such surnames as Tugoukhovsky, Repetilov, Skalozub.
Puffer
The main task of the comedy was considered by the writer to describe the images of the Famus society. There are no superfluous characters in the story. All images are important for characterizing both the main characters and their entire environment.
Puffer is a rough dork with characteristic mannerisms and appearance. In speech, ignorance, stupidity and spiritual impoverishment of this person are manifested. This typical representative of the Famus society opposes the sciences and education as such. Naturally, Sergey Sergeyevich Skalozub is a welcome guest of the Famusov family and others like him. In addition, it is in the image of Skalozub that Griboyedov shows the type of careerist who does not disdain any means when moving up the career ladder.
Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Khlestova
The Tugoukhovskys are shown in a satirical vein. Prince Tugoukhovsky is a typical henpecked wife. He practically hears nothing and only unquestioningly obeys the princess. The prince represents Famusov in the future. His wife is an ordinary representative of the surrounding society: stupid, ignorant, negative about education. In addition, both are gossips, as they are the first to spread rumors that Chatsky has gone crazy. No wonder the critics divided all the minor characters into three groups: Famusov, a candidate for the Famusovs, Famusov the loser.
Khlestova is represented by an intelligent lady, however, she is also subject to general opinion. In her opinion, honesty, human intelligence directly depend on social status and wealth.
Repetilov and Zagoretsky
Repetilov is the type of Famusov the loser in the comedy Woe from Wit. A character with absolutely no positive traits. He is quite stupid, careless, likes to drink. He is a superficial philosopher, a kind of parody of Chatsky's line. From Repetilov, the author made a parody double of the main character. He also promotes social ideas, but this is just following fashion and nothing more.
Another Famusov-loser is Zagoretsky A.A. In the characteristics given to him by the rest of the heroes, you can see several times synonymous words for the term "swindler". For example, Gorich says: "A notorious swindler, a rogue: Anton Antonych Zagoretsky." However, all his fraud and lies remain within the limits of the surrounding life, otherwise he is a completely law-abiding citizen. In Zagoretsky, there is even more from Molchalin than from Famusov. Everyone needs him, despite the fact that he is a gossip and a liar. Not only picks up the rumor about Chatsky's madness, but also supplements it with his fantasies.
The character for whom Griboyedov showed a little sympathy is Gorich. "Woe from Wit" brings to the stage a friend of Chatsky, who arrived at the ball to Famusov with his wife. He is a kind person, soberly assessing surrounding reality. It is not included by the author in any group. A friend and colleague of Chatsky earlier, now, having heard about his "illness", does not believe it. But he is not without flaws. Having a soft character, after marriage, Gorich became henpecked by his wife and forgot his beliefs. His image is that of a husband-servant.
In other words, in the comedy "Woe from Wit" this character and a number of others personify the "past" century with its rules, ideals and habits. All these are individuals limited in their development, who are categorically against everything new, and most importantly, against open truth.
The difference between comedy and 18th century literature
The huge and fundamental difference between Griboedov's comedy and the works of the 18th century is that in it almost all the characters are not just positive or negative types, they are shown in many ways. In Woe from Wit, the character of Famusov is depicted not only as a person who is in spiritual stagnation; Famusov is a good father of his family, a real gentleman. Chatsky is very passionate and sensitive, at the same time witty and intelligent.
Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit" leaves, disappointed in the subject of his love. The question of who he is - the winner or the vanquished, can be answered as follows: Chatsky was broken by the quantity of the old force, but defeated the past century with the quality of the new force.
This is how the social typification of characters manifests itself. If here the author departs from classicism, then in a love affair, on the contrary, he tries to comply with the laws of this particular direction. There is a heroine and two lovers, an unsuspecting father and a maid covering for her mistress. But otherwise there is no resemblance to the classic comedy. Neither Chatsky nor Molchalin are suitable for the role of the first lover. In the comedy "Woe from Wit" there are no heroes-lovers from classicism: the first one loses, the second one is not a positive hero in all respects.
Sophia cannot be called an ideal heroine either. "Woe from Wit" presents to our attention a girl who is not stupid, but in love with the worthless Molchalin. He is comfortable for her. He is someone who can be pushed around for the rest of his life. She does not want to listen to Chatsky and is the first to spread the rumor about his madness.
Lisa is more of a reasoner than a soubrette. Among other things, the comedy traces the second, comic love line and the third, connected with the relationship between Lisa, Molchalin, Petrusha and Famusov.
Off-stage characters
In addition to the main and secondary characters, off-stage characters were introduced into the work by the skillful hand of the writer. They are needed in order to increase the scale of the conflict of two centuries. These characters embody both the past century and the present.
Recall at least the chamberlain Kuzma Petrovich, who himself is rich, and was married to a rich woman. These are Tatyana Yurievna and Praskovya, narrow-minded foreigners who came to Russia to work. These images and a number of others lead the reader to the idea of the large-scale conflict, which is vividly presented in the play "Woe from Wit". The character who shows the reader that Chatsky is not alone, behind him there are those who will promote ideas of solidarity with him, is also represented, and not in one way, but in several. For example, the comedy mentions Skalozub's cousin from the village, a relative of Princess Tugoukhovskaya.
The main task that the writer performed, portraying the heroes of the play, was to show their views on society, and not to reveal them. psychological features. Griboedov is primarily a writer and educator, therefore, in each image, he vividly draws certain moral qualities or their absence. He typifies the traits and qualities of character and immediately individualizes them.
Chatsky overtook his age in everything. That is why he became a model of sincerity and nobility, and Famusov and Skalozub became a symbol of vulgarity and stagnation. So, using the example of 20 faces, the writer reflected the fate of a whole generation. The views of Chatsky are the views of the entire advanced movement of the future Decembrists. Chatsky and Famusov are representatives of two generations, two centuries: the age of the enlightened and the age of the obsolete.
One of the main features of the comedy "Woe from Wit" by A.S. Griboyedov is the presence in the play of two conflicts that are closely related. One of them is love, the other is public. This determines the arrangement of the heroes of the comedy "Woe from Wit". The love line is represented by Chatsky, Sofia and Molchalin. The public line is expressed by the opposition of the conservative nobility, whose main spokesman is Famusov, and the progressive views on the structure of society, which Chatsky preaches. Molchalin, Sophia's lover, also belongs to the Famus society. Love and social conflicts are united by the image of Chatsky, the protagonist of Woe from Wit.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky returned from abroad and immediately went to Famusov's house, where he had once been brought up and where he had not been for three years. Chatsky dreams of seeing his beloved Sophia, Famusov's daughter. But Sophia meets him with extreme restraint, because she is in love with Molchalin. The hero does not understand the reasons for the girl's cooling towards him. He begins to question her, her father, about this. And in the verbal battles between these heroes, serious contradictions appear on issues of morality, culture, education, and the structure of society.
Famusov in comedy represents the "age of the past". main feature The worldview of the conservative nobility is that they do not want any change, because the change threatens their well-being. In the society of the nobility, to which Griboedov's satire is directed, only rank and money are valued. And Famusov is no exception. He proudly speaks of his uncle, Maxim Petrovich, who knew how to "serve" and therefore "knew honor before everyone." The only thing Famusov really cares about is society's opinion of him.
On behalf of the "age of the past" also speaks Molchalin. His main virtues are "moderation and accuracy." He is a worthy successor to the views of Moscow high society. He knows how to curry favor, seeks to make and maintain useful acquaintances. Even his connection with Sophia is nothing more than a service to her father.
Chatsky is sharply opposed to these heroes. Their views on the structure of society are alien to him. Chatsky is the owner of an active, creative mind. He wants to serve “the cause, not the people”, because he highly values the freedom of the individual, honor and dignity. Chatsky is the only comedy hero representing the “current century”. It expresses the ideas of the author himself - the ideas of morality and enlightenment, which conservative nobles are not ready to accept.
When characterizing the heroes of Woe from Wit, it is most difficult to interpret the image Sofia Famusova.
It cannot be attributed either to the “present century”, “nor to the past century”. Unlike her father and Molchalin, Sofya is not afraid of the opinions of society. She says so to Molchalin when he asks her to be careful and not show her feelings in public. She makes music, reads books, which Famusov considers superfluous and even harmful. But Sophia is not on the side of Chatsky, since his accusatory monologues threaten not only the comfortable life of the nobles, but also her personal happiness. That is why Sophia starts a rumor that Chatsky is crazy, and society is spreading this gossip so actively.
The list of characters in "Woe from Wit" is not limited to the main characters. The secondary characters of Woe from Wit are also important for understanding the issues. For example, it is impossible to imagine the development of a love affair in a comedy without Lisa's maids, which helps Sofya and Molchalin keep their dates a secret. Also, the image of Liza is involved in a more complete disclosure of other characters in Griboyedov's Woe from Wit. She is shown signs of attention by Molchalin, and it immediately becomes clear to the reader that he has no feelings for Sophia.
Colonel Puffer also involved in the development of a love line. He is tipped to be Sophia's suitor, because he has money. The only pity is that there is absolutely no mind. But it helps to portray the army in a satirical way.
Off-stage characters carry a special semantic load. They do not participate in the action of the comedy, but other characters talk about them, which makes it possible to more fully represent the mores of the noble society of that time. The most famous off-stage character is Maxim Petrovich, uncle Famusov, who deliberately fell several times at a reception at the Empress in order to amuse her and earn respect at court.
It should be noted that all the images of comedy heroes acquire a deeper sound than was customary before the appearance of the play "Woe from Wit". There are no absolute villains, no heroes without flaws. Griboyedov abandons the traditional division of characters into good and bad. So Famusov is a caring father for his daughter, and Chatsky at some points shows excessive ardor and arrogance.
The characters created by Griboedov do not lose their relevance today. After all, the problem of replacing old views with new ones is always topical. At all times there are people who bring progressive ideas to society, and those who refuse to accept the new, defending their outdated views.
This article describes the main characters of Griboyedov's comedy. The description of the heroes and their characters will be useful for 9th grade students when preparing a report or essay on the topic “The main characters of the comedy “Woe from Wit””.
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