Chatsky - the first image in Russian literature positive hero of his time, which embodied the typical features of a generation of progressive noble youth. The images of freedom-loving heroes, fighters for the common good and personal independence were previously created by the Decembrists, Pushkin in "The Prisoner of the Caucasus", but they were abstract romantic symbols devoid of living flesh. The image of Chatsky, sad, lonely in his irony, dreamy, was created at the end of the reign of Alexander the First, on the eve of the uprising. This is a man who ends the era of Peter the Great “and tries to discern at least on the horizon, the promised land. "

How did the author manage to combine the features of an entire generation in one hero and create a unique personality? Chatsky - shout cutting edge ideas, and at the same time, his personality is conveyed psychologically accurately, in all its complexity. Even contemporaries of Griboyedov were looking for a prototype of the main character of the comedy among real people... The most popular version was that the author embodied in the image of Chatsky the features of his friend Chaadaev - an outstanding Russian philosopher, a man of brilliant mind and strong character. Even the appearance of the hero resembles Chaadaev, and even Pushkin was interested in whether Griboyedov actually copied the image from their mutual friend.

Of course, the spiritual image of Chaadaev was partially reflected in the image of the protagonist. But still it cannot be said that it was he who was brought out in the comedy. This strong, extraordinary personality influenced the worldview of many contemporaries, including Pushkin. His biography is similar to Chatsky's drama. Chaadaev abandoned a brilliant state career, created an original philosophical and political work, in which he very deeply, historically and psychologically reasonably determined the place of Russia in the world process. His original judgments and emphasized opposition infuriated the tsar, and Nicholas the First himself declared Chaadaev insane. The persecution of the thinker was massive, and rumors spread as easily and willingly as about Chatsky: the crowd does not like individuals who were ahead of their time and did not need her approval.

However, Chatsky also captures the features of another outstanding contemporary - the poet, critic, literary critic, Decembrist Wilhelm Kuchelbecker. An infinitely honest, unselfish servant of art, a passionate and ardent defender of freedom, democratic values, Kuchelbecker always defended his views, not looking at the disagreement and rejection of the audience. His romantic love of freedom, enthusiasm, kind and trusting attitude towards people, maximalism in defending his views undoubtedly helped the author in creating the image of Chatsky.

An autobiographical element is also present in the guise of the protagonist. Griboyedov reflected in the comedy both his ideas and character traits: absolute independence from public opinion and complete freedom of expression. Perhaps the author learned the conflict of the comedy from his life experience. One of the playwright's acquaintances, university professor Foma Yakovlevich Evans, recalled that once a rumor spread throughout Moscow that Griboyedov had gone mad. He himself excitedly told the professor that "two days before that he had been at an evening where he was greatly outraged by the wild antics of the then society, the servile imitation of everything foreign and, finally, the servile attention that surrounded some Frenchman, an empty talker." The enraged writer burst into an angry tirade denouncing a lack of national pride and undeserved respect for foreigners. The secular crowd immediately declared Griboyedov crazy, and he vowed to reflect this event in his comedy. "Frenchie from Bordeaux" and stupid worship of him famus society Aroused the indignation of Chatsky: “Shall we rise again from the foreign rule of fashion? So that our smart, vigorous people, even by language, do not consider us as Germans. " The friendly confession of Chatsky to be insane, the most incredible reasons for his mental illness that easily arise, all this very much resembles an incident from the life of Griboyedov.

And yet, despite the similarity of the hero with real faces, Chatsky's image is artistic, collective. Chatsky's drama is typical of that period of Russian life, which began with the national-patriotic upsurge of 1812-1815 and ended with the complete collapse of democratic illusions and intensification of reaction in the early 1820s. The Decembrists perceived the image of Chatsky as a creative reflection of their own ideas and feelings, an indomitable desire to renew society, searches, and hopes.

Chatsky's worldview was formed during the rise. The boy brought up in the noble house of Famusov grew up inquisitive, sociable, impressionable. The monotony of the established way of life, the spiritual limitations of the Moscow nobility, the spirit

"The ages of the past" aroused boredom and disgust in him. National-patriotic enthusiasm after the great victory, freedom-loving moods intensified the sharp rejection of conservatism. Lofty ideas, the desire for transformations captured the ardent hero, and “he found it bored with us, he rarely visited our home,” Sophia recalled. Despite a sincere feeling for Sophia, young Chatsky leaves her and leaves to travel to learn life, to enrich his mind. It would not have been difficult for Chatsky to make a career and arrange a personal life. Sophia, obviously, was in love with him, but could not appreciate him, her value system did not fit how one could risk personal happiness for the sake of abstract general welfare. The limited worldview does not allow her to objectively perceive the image of Chatsky, which goes beyond the framework of romantic book heroes:

Oster, smart, eloquent,

I'm especially happy with friends

Here he thought about himself high ...

The hunt to wander attacked him.

Oh! If someone loves whom,

Why should the mind seek and travel so far?

Chatsky did not at all reject Sophia's love, and the point is not that he preferred travel to her. It's just that his spiritual needs are broader than personal well-being. Chatsky could not be happy without realizing himself as a citizen, could not limit himself to a happy marriage. But he is a living person, ardent, trusting, passionate. Chatsky's love for Sophia did not die out in separation, her flame flared up even more. He returns to Moscow full of hopes and dreams and expects reciprocity. But time changed the girl's feelings. Smart, sensitive, sophisticated, having read sentimental novels, she is just as sincerely looking for true love as Chatsky. Sophia also objectively assesses Skalozub's emptiness and limitation ("How sweet! And it's fun for me to hear about fry and ranks. He never uttered a smart word ever,"). Molchalin, in her eyes, is the hero of her favorite sentimental novels. He seems timid, dreamy, modest and gentle, and to love him for Sophia means to express a passive protest to the world of vanity and sober calculation. Having found in the chosen one the features characteristic of her ideal, having fallen in love with him, Sophia can no longer evaluate Molchalin objectively. And the exact description of it in the lips of Chatsky sounds to her like an evil satire.

And Chatsky suffers from doubts, suffers from uncertainty, trying to find out the true feelings of Sophia: "The fate of love is to play blind man's buff, and me ...". The sharp mind of the hero, his brilliant critical characteristics of those around him are perceived by Sophia as "a hail of barbs and jokes", "contempt for people." Her assessment of Molchalin ("Of course, this mind is not in him, which is a genius for some, but for others a plague, which is swift, brilliant and will soon oppose ...") at first encourages Chatsky: “She does not give him a penny ... , she doesn't love him. " The hero is convinced that such a girl cannot fall in love with such a gray, faceless creature. The stronger is his shock, the cause of which is not even the wounded pride of the rejected lover, but the offended pride of an exalted, noble person. Sophia destroyed their quivering friendship, the sublime idea of \u200b\u200bher, forgetting "and female fear and shame." Chatsky is humiliated and trampled by Sophia's choice: "The taciturns are blissful in the world." He cannot forgive the fact that he, an outstanding man, was put on the same level with Molchalin, a man with a slave morality and a low soul, and it was Sophia who did it:

To whom am I so passionate and so low just now?

There was a waster of tender words!

And you! Oh my goodness! Whom did you choose?

When I think about who you prefer!

The personal drama of the hero was aggravated by the public one: educational ideas, romantic inspiration and freedom-loving hopes faced decisive resistance from the noble Moscow. Chatsky is a maximalist both in his personal life and in public. He mercilessly rips off the masks from the representatives of the "past century", mired in greed, vulgar social entertainment, intrigue, gossip:

As he was famous, whose neck often bent;

As if not in war, but in peace they took with their foreheads;

They knocked on the floor without regret!

Who needs it: so arrogance, lie in the dust,

And to those who are higher, flattery was woven like lace.

Chatsky is convinced that the "age of obedience and fear" is over, that the advanced, educated youth of the nobility is not going to cheat on getting ranks, but will "serve the cause, not individuals." He stigmatizes the secular crowd, mired in "feasts and extravagance."

The complete lack of rights of the peasants, legalized slavery are all the more humiliating because "our smart, vigorous people" defended the independence of the fatherland and had the right to count on an improvement in their situation. Chatsky, who “managed the property in error,” that is, freed the peasants from corvée, sharply criticizes the serf system that he hates, sincerely hoping that the power of reason can change the psychology of people. In the power of ideological influence, he sees the engine of progress. Chatsky is a humanist, he believes that people tend to strive for the best. The hero is convinced that there are many such enthusiasts who have set the goal of life for the democratic transformation of society, that this is all modern youth, that the outdated system of autocracy and serfdom will soon collapse. But the old world holds on tight to its privileges. By declaring Chatsky insane, society protects the sphere of its vital interests. The hero suffers defeat, but not moral, qualitative, but quantitative, formal: the traditions of the Famusian society turned out to be stronger than a brilliant, but lonely mind.

And yet the image of Chatsky, despite the drama, is perceived optimistically, "The Chatskys live and are not translated in a society where the struggle between the fresh and the outlived, the sick against the healthy continues." He is a symbol of eternal renewal of life, a messenger of change.

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The image of Alexander Chatsky successfully combined features byronic hero and an extra person. He is the herald of the new order, a man ahead of his time. That is why his personality is clearly contrasted in the comedy with all other characters, and he is, in fact, lonely and misunderstood by his society.

Family, childhood and youth of the hero

Alexander Andreevich Chatsky is a hereditary nobleman, an aristocrat by birth. He was born in Moscow and from childhood he was included in the world of high society so desired by many. Chatsky's parents died early, leaving their son a legacy of a significant estate.

Dear Readers! We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the Famus society in the comedy of A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"

Alexander Andreyevich has no brothers and sisters - he is the only child in the family. Most likely, Chatsky did not have other relatives (even distant ones), since after the death of his parents, a friend of his father, Pavel Famusov, is an official and a noble person in aristocratic circles and in Moscow circles in particular.

Chatsky has been living in Pavel Afanasyevich's house for some time. Having matured, he sets off on an independent voyage. Apparently, Famusov was a good educator, since Chatsky has pleasant memories of him. Alexander Andreevich arrives at Famusov's house full of positive thoughts and with friendly intentions.

Chatsky is a member of the English Club - a club of gentlemen for aristocrats. The English club provided for a varied expression of social and political life. However, in general, it boiled down to card games and dinners. Apparently, Alexander Andreevich was not his frequent guest. At first, this was due to his age, later, Chatsky went abroad, which a priori makes it impossible to visit this club. After a three-year term, Chatsky returns to his homeland, where the main events of Griboyedov's comedy take place.

Abroad, Alexander Andreevich gets the opportunity not only to be impressed by the features of architecture and cultural heritage Europe, but also learn about the peculiarities of relationships between people, their social and social position.

Personality characteristic

Like any other aristocrat, Chatsky received a basic education, which included a basic concept of the arrangement of the world and the economy, was trained foreign languages (in particular, French, as the most common of all foreign languages). In addition, Alexander Andreevich was trained in dance and music - it was commonplace for the aristocracy. On this, Chatsky's education did not end, but passed into the hypostasis of self-development. Alexander Andreevich actively learns the world and is engaged in independent study and deepening of his knowledge in one category or another. An active and inquisitive personality type and an inquisitive mind allowed Chatsky to accumulate a significant store of knowledge, thanks to which he became a philosopher without reaching gray hair.

Chatsky previously consisted of military service, but he soon became disillusioned with a military career and resigned. Alexander Andreevich did not start civil service. She was of little interest to him.

He plans to devote his future life to the affairs of his estate. However, in the eyes of the public, such an act looks like an unthinkable action - others believe that an adequate person cannot do this, because it is thanks to these two types of activities that a young person can make a name for himself and earn authority in society - other activities, even if they are beneficial and do not contradict the rules and principles of morality are not accepted by others and are considered absurd.

Chatsky does not consider it a disadvantage to freely express his position - he thinks that this should be the norm in an educated society.

His speech is often sarcastic and ironic. Apparently, this is due to his outspoken opposition to other representatives of society. He is a sincere person, Chatsky believes that it is necessary to tell people the truth - he does not accept guile and lies. Alexander Andreevich has a sensitive and sincere disposition. He is a passionate person, so it is difficult for him to contain his emotions.

Chatsky recognizes the need for science and art in human life. People who neglect their education and development disgust Chatsky.

He sincerely loves his homeland and is overwhelmed with the desire to improve the life of his people, not only at the level of the aristocracy, but also at the level of ordinary people.

Chatsky's life position and his conflict with Famusovsky society

Chatsky actively opposes the so-called Famusian society - a group of aristocrats united by the personality of his educator, an important official - Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov. In fact, based on this group of aristocrats, a typical situation in aristocratic circles is shown. Representatives of Famus society speak not of unique personalities, but typical ones, characteristic of high society. And their position is not exclusively theirs, but an everyday occurrence.

On our site you have the opportunity to get acquainted with the image of Famusov in the comedy by Alexander Griboyedov "Woe from Wit".

First of all, the difference between Chatsky and his vision from Famusov and his hangers-on lies in the attitude to business management and the peculiarities of moving up the career ladder - in the world of aristocracy, bribes and mutual responsibility decide everything - honor and pride have long been forgotten by high society. They are ready to admire people who serve and are ready to please their boss in every possible way - no one appreciates people who do their job well, professionals in their field, and this is very upsetting young man... To the special amazement of Alexander Andreyevich, not only their own people take bribes, but also foreigners, for whom this is an unacceptable business.

The next stumbling block was the attitude towards activities, as well as to science and art. In the vision of the aristocrats, only civil service or military service is worthy of attention and honor - they consider other types of activity second-rate and shameful for a person of noble birth. They expose ministers of science and muse to special hatred and persecution. This position is concluded, first of all, in the absolute disregard for education. Almost all representatives of the Famus society think that science and education do not bring any benefit, but only takes time and energy from people. They have approximately the same opinion about art. They consider people who are ready to engage in science or art to be abnormal and are ready to ridicule them in every possible way.

Chatsky also gives an unsatisfactory characterization to the landowners, analyzing their attitude towards serfs - very often serfs for noblemen are nobody - they can be a commodity or a living toy in the hands of the aristocracy. This applies not only to people who have performed their duties in bad faith, but also to those who diligently serve their landowner. Nobles can sell their serfs and even exchange them for dogs. On the whole, Griboyedov, either personally or with the help of his heroes, never campaigned or criticized serfdom in general, and, incidentally, was not a supporter of it. His criticism was directed not at the very construction of relationships, but at specific cases of cruelty and injustice on the part of landowners in relation to their serfs.

Chatsky and Sonya Famusova

Alexander Chatsky and Sonya Famusova were longtime acquaintances - they had known each other since childhood. After the death of Chatsky's parents, the girl actually replaced his sister - their relationship was always friendly and positive. As they grew older, they began to change, and love came to replace childhood affection and friendship. However, the novel was prevented from fully developing by Chatsky's trip and the fact that he left Famusov, which Sonya perceived not as a routine associated with Chatsky's achievement of a new stage in life - independent formation, but as a disappointment. In her opinion, Chatsky left their home because he was bored with life there.

On his trip, Chatsky took not only fond memories of his teacher, but also falling in love with his daughter, Sonya. Upon returning home, he hoped to renew their relationship and develop it. Alexander Andreevich saw his future wife in the image of Sonya. However, immediately after his arrival, he was sharply upset in his intentions to marry the girl by her father, who believed that an exceptionally rich man who was ready to pursue his career could apply for the position of his son-in-law. Chatsky did not fit the criteria - he was wealthy, but not rich enough, and completely abandoned his career, which was extremely negatively perceived by Famusov. From that time on, the children's admiration for Famusov gradually began to melt.

Alexander Andreevich hopes that the girl's feelings towards him are sincere, and they will be able to convince his father of the need for a wedding. Sonya reciprocates Chatsky, however, over time it turns out that his beloved is no better than her father. Her gratitude and reciprocity is just a game for the audience, in fact, the girl loves another person, and Chatsky was just fooling.

The annoyed Chatsky denounces the girl for her unworthy behavior and is sincerely glad that he did not become her husband, for that would be a sheer punishment.

Thus, Alexander Chatsky's image is generally humane and full of the desire to change the lives of the people around him for the better. He sincerely believes in the benefits of science and art, and people who pay attention to their development arouse interest and admiration in him. According to Chatsky, lies and selfishness should recede into the background, and goodness and humanity should take its place. People, in his understanding, should live guided by the laws of morality, and not by personal gain.

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

Chatsky's prototypes

A.S. Griboyedov's contemporaries found that the image of Chatsky reminded them of P. Ya. Chaadaev. This was pointed out by Pushkin in his letter to P.A.Vyazemsky in 1823. Some researchers see indirect confirmation of this version in the fact that initially the main character comedy had the surname Chadsky. However, many deny this opinion. According to another theory, the image of Chatsky is a reflection of the biography and character of V.K.Kyukhelbeker. The disgraced, unlucky person who had just returned from abroad could well become the prototype of the protagonist of "Woe from Wit".

About the similarity of the author with Chatsky

It is quite obvious that the main character of the play in his monologues expressed the thoughts and views that Griboyedov himself adhered to. "Woe from Wit" is a comedy that became the author's personal manifesto against the moral and social vices of the Russian aristocratic society. And many of Chatsky's character traits seem to have been copied from the author himself. According to his contemporaries, Alexander Sergeevich was impetuous and ardent, sometimes independent and harsh. Chatsky's views on imitating foreigners, the inhumanity of serfdom, and bureaucracy are the true thoughts of Griboyedov. He expressed them more than once in society. The writer was even once really called a madman when at a social event he spoke warmly and impartially about the servile attitude of Russians to everything foreign.

Author's characteristics of the hero

In response to criticisms of his co-author and longtime friend PA Katenin that the character of the protagonist is "confused", 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 young man who found himself in a difficult situation. On the one hand, he is in "opposition to society", since he is "a little higher than others", realizes his superiority and does not try to hide it. On the other hand, Alexander Andreevich cannot achieve the former location of his beloved girl, suspects the presence of an opponent, and even unexpectedly falls into the category of crazy, which he finds out about as the last one. Griboyedov explains the excessive ardor of his hero by strong disappointment in love. That is why in "Woe from Wit" the image of Chatsky turned out to be so inconsistent and inconsistent. He didn't give a damn about everyone and was like that.

Chatsky as interpreted by Pushkin

The poet criticized the main character of the comedy. At the same time, Pushkin appreciated Griboyedov: he liked the comedy "Woe from Wit". in the interpretation of the great poet is very impartial. He calls Alexander Andreevich an ordinary hero-reasoner, the mouthpiece of the ideas of the only intelligent person in the play - Griboyedov himself. He believes that the protagonist is a "good fellow" who gathered extraordinary thoughts and witticisms from another person and began to "throw beads" in front of Repetilov and other representatives of the Famusian guard. According to Pushkin, such behavior is unforgivable. He believes that the contradictory and inconsistent character of Chatsky is a reflection of his own stupidity, which puts the hero in a tragicomic position.

Chatsky's character, according to Belinsky

The well-known critic in 1840, like Pushkin, denied the main character of the play a practical mind. He interpreted the image of Chatsky as an absolutely ridiculous, naive and dreamy figure and christened him "the new Don Quixote." Over time, Belinsky somewhat changed his point of view. The characterization of the comedy "Woe from Wit" in his interpretation has become very positive. He called it a protest against the "vile racial reality" and considered it "the noblest, humanistic work." The critic never saw the true complexity of Chatsky's image.

The image of Chatsky: interpretation in the 1860s

Publicists and critics of the 1860s began to attribute only socially significant and socio-political motives to Chatsky's behavior. For example, I saw in the main character of the play the reflection of Griboyedov's "back thought". He considers the image of Chatsky to be a portrait of a Decembrist-revolutionary. The critic sees in Aleksandr Andreevich a man struggling with the vices of his contemporary society. For him, the characters of "Woe from Wit" are not characters of a "high" comedy, but of a "high" tragedy. In such interpretations, the appearance of Chatsky is extremely generalized and interpreted very one-sided.

The appearance of Chatsky at Goncharov

Ivan Alexandrovich in his critical study "Million Torments" presented the most insightful and accurate analysis of the play "Woe from Wit". Chatsky's characterization, according to Goncharov, should be made taking into account his state of mind. The unhappy love for Sophia makes the main character of the comedy bilious and almost inadequate, makes him pronounce long monologues in front of people who are indifferent to his fiery speeches. Thus, without taking into account the love intrigue, it is impossible to understand the comic and at the same time tragic nature of the image of Chatsky.

Problems of the play

The heroes of "Woe from Wit" collide with Griboyedov in two plot-forming conflicts: love (Chatsky and Sophia) and socio-ideological and the main character). Of course, it is the social problematics of the work that comes to the fore, but also love line in the play is very important. After all, Chatsky was in a hurry to Moscow exclusively to meet with Sofia. Therefore, both conflicts - socio-ideological and love - reinforce and complement each other. They develop in parallel and are equally necessary for understanding the worldview, character, psychology and relationships of the heroes of comedy.

Main character. Love conflict

In the character system of the play, Chatsky is in the main place. It ties the two storylines into a coherent whole. For Alexander Andreevich, it is the love conflict that matters. He perfectly understands what kind of society he got into, and is not at all going to engage in educational activities. The reason for his stormy eloquence is not political, but psychological. The "impatience of the heart" of the young man is felt throughout the entire play.

At first, Chatsky's "talkativeness" was caused by the joy of meeting Sofia. When the hero realizes that the girl no longer has a trace of her previous feelings for him, he begins to do inconsistent and daring actions. He remains in Famusov's house for the sole purpose of finding out who became Sofia's new lover. At the same time, his "mind and heart are out of tune" is quite obvious.

After Chatsky learns about the relationship between Molchalin and Sophia, he goes to another extreme. Instead of feelings of love, anger and fury seize him. He accuses the girl that she "lured him with hope", proudly declares to her about the severance of relations, swears that he "sobered up ... in full", but is going to pour out "all the bile and all the annoyance" on the world.

Main character. Socio-political conflict

Love experiences increase the ideological confrontation between Alexander Andreevich and the Famus society. At first Chatsky refers to the Moscow aristocracy with ironic calmness: "... I am in eccentrics to another miracle / Once I laugh, then I forget ..." However, as he becomes convinced of Sofia's indifference, his speech becomes more and more impudent and unrestrained. Everything in Moscow begins to annoy him. Chatsky touches upon in his monologues many topical problems of his contemporary era: issues of national identity, serfdom, education and enlightenment, real service, and so on. He talks about serious things, but at the same time from excitement he falls, according to I. A. Goncharov, into "exaggeration, into almost drunkenness of speech."

The main character's outlook

The image of Chatsky is a portrait of a person with an established system of worldview and morality. He considers the striving for knowledge, for beautiful and lofty matters to be the main criterion for assessing personality. Alexander Andreevich is not against working for the good of the state. But he constantly emphasizes the difference between "serve" and "serve", which he attaches fundamental importance. Chatsky is not afraid of public opinion, does not recognize authorities, protects his independence, which causes fear among the 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 Famus society, Chatsky's behavior is atypical, and therefore reprehensible. He "knows the ministers", but does not use his connections in any way. To Famusov's offer to live "like everyone else" he responds with a contemptuous refusal.

In many ways, Griboyedov agrees with his hero. The image of Chatsky is a type of an enlightened person who freely expresses his opinion. But there are no radical and revolutionary ideas in his statements. It's just that in a conservative Famus society, any deviation from the usual norm seems outrageous and dangerous. It was not for nothing that in the end Alexander Andreevich was recognized as a madman. only in this way could they explain for themselves the independent character of Chatsky's judgments.

Conclusion

IN modern life the play "Woe from Wit" remains more relevant than ever. The image of Chatsky in the comedy is the central figure that helps the author to the whole world to declare his thoughts and views. By the will of Alexander Sergeevich, the main character of the work is placed in tragicomic conditions. His impetuous ones are caused by disappointment in love. However, the problems raised in his monologues are eternal themes. It was thanks to them that the comedy entered the list of the most famous works world literature.

<<здравомыслие>\u003e the main character? By what means does Griboyedov convey his attitude to Chatsky?

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The quarter grade will be

What are the features of classic comedy in the work? In Woe From Wit, the laws of three unities (place, time, action) were formally observed, the moralizing of the name, traditional comic roles were preserved: Chatsky is an unlucky lover; Molchalin is a successful lover and sly; Sophia is a spoiled sentimental girl; Famusov is a father whom everyone deceives, while he is preoccupied with a profitable marriage of his daughter; Lisa is a shrewd, clever servant. All this makes it possible to rightfully attribute the work of Griboyedov to a comedy.

But we must not forget that the tone in "Woe from Wit" is not set at all by the comedic beginning. The work is based on a socio-political conflict: the clash of obscurantists with the spokesman for advanced ideas. And this conflict is resolved, of course, not in a comedic sense.

Chatsky - young, sincere, bold to the point of insolence, with an unbalanced, nervous character; he has a huge reserve of strength, and he is unusually active, eager for action, ready to flare up at any moment and prove to anyone the justice of his opinion. He is mistaken, he is ready to defend his ideas, not understanding or not wanting to understand that he will not be heard and supported. The main feature of Chatsky is the free mind, sanity, “embittered mind” of a critically thinking person. He is “not only smarter than all other persons, but also positively intelligent. His speech boils with intelligence, wit. " Chatsky's mind sparkles in his ardent monologues, in his well-aimed characteristics, in each of his remarks. At first he is cheerful and jokes are not at all evil, and only when Famusov, setting his “elders” as an example, hurts his most dear convictions, only then does he begin the battle.
Means - monologues, aphoristic judgments, characterization of the hero by other actors, the hero's speech.

Comedy "Woe from Wit" by A.S. Griboyedov holds a special place in the history of Russian literature. She combines the features of the outgoing classicism with new artistic methods: realism and romanticism. In this regard, literary scholars note the peculiarities of the depiction of the heroes of the play. If in the comedy of classicism before that all the characters were clearly divided into bad and good, then in "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov, bringing actors to real life, endows them with both positive and negative qualities. This is also the image of Chatsky, the protagonist of the play "Woe from Wit".

Prehistory of the main character of the play "Woe from Wit"

In the first act, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky returns from a long journey around the world, where he went to “look for the mind”. He, without stopping home, arrives at Famusov's house, because he is driven by sincere love for the daughter of the owner of the house. They were once brought up together. But now they have not seen each other for three long years. Chatsky does not yet know that Sophia's feelings for him have cooled down, and her heart is occupied by another. The love affair subsequently gives rise to a social clash between Chatsky, a nobleman of advanced views, with the Famus society of serf-owners and rank-worshipers.

Even before Chatsky's appearance on the stage, we learn from Sophia's conversation with the servant Lisa that he is "sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp." It is noteworthy that Lisa remembered this hero when the conversation turned to the mind. It is the mind that is the feature that distinguishes Chatsky from the background of other characters.

Contradictions in the character of Chatsky

If we trace the development of the conflict between the main character of the play "Woe from Wit" and the people with whom he is forced to interact, one can understand that Chatsky's character is ambiguous. Arriving at Famusov's house, he began a conversation with Sophia by asking about her relatives, using a caustic tone and sarcasm: "Has your uncle jumped off his age?"
Indeed, in the play Woe from Wit, the image of Chatsky represents a rather hot-tempered, in some moments tactless young nobleman. Sophia reproaches Chatsky throughout the play for his habit of ridiculing the vices of other people: "The slightest strangeness in whom is barely visible, you immediately have a sharpness ready."

His harsh tone can only be justified by the fact that the hero is genuinely outraged by the immorality of the society in which he finds himself. Fighting her is a matter of honor for Chatsky. It is not for him to prick the interlocutor. He asks Sophia in surprise: “... Are my words all the pegs? And leaning towards someone else's harm? " The fact is that all the issues raised find a response in the soul of the hero, he cannot cope with his emotions, with his indignation. His mind and heart are out of tune.

Therefore, the hero lavishes his eloquence even on those who are clearly not ready to accept his arguments. A.S. After reading the comedy, Pushkin spoke about this in the following way: “The first sign of an intelligent person is to know at a glance who you are dealing with, and not to throw beads in front of the Repetilovs ...” Goncharov, on the other hand, believed that Chatsky's speech "seethes with wit."

The originality of the hero's worldview

The image of Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit" largely reflects the worldview of the author himself. Chatsky, like Griboyedov, does not understand and does not accept the slavish admiration of the Russian people before everything foreign. The play is repeatedly ridiculed by the protagonist of the tradition of inviting foreign teachers to the house to bring up children: “… Today, just as since ancient times, they are bothering to recruit teachers from the regiments, in more numbers, at a lower price”.

Chatsky has a special attitude to the service. For Famusov, Chatsky's opponent in Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit", the determining factor in his attitude to the hero is the fact that he "does not serve, that is, he doesn’t find any use in that." Chatsky, however, clearly indicates his position on this issue: "I would be glad to serve, it is sickening to serve."

That is why Chatsky speaks with such anger about the habit of the Famus society to treat disadvantaged people with contempt and curry favor with influential persons. If for Famusov his uncle Maxim Petrovich, who fell on purpose at a reception with the empress, in order to please her and the court, is a role model, then for Chatsky he is just a jester. He does not see those among the conservative nobility from whom it would be worth following an example. Enemies of a free life, "passionate for ranks", prone to extravagance and idleness - this is what the old aristocrats are for the main character of the comedy "Woe from Wit" by Chatsky.

Chatsky is also irritated by the desire of the old Moscow nobles to make useful contacts everywhere. And they attend balls for this purpose. Chatsky prefers not to mix business with fun. He believes that everything should have its place and time.

In one of his monologues, Chatsky expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that as soon as a young man appears among the nobles who wants to devote himself to the sciences or arts, and not to the pursuit of ranks, everyone begins to fear him. And they are afraid of people like Chatsky himself, because they threaten the well-being and comfort of the nobles. They bring new ideas into the structure of society, but the aristocrats are not ready to part with the old way of life. Therefore, the gossip about Chatsky's madness, launched by Sophia, turned out to be very useful. This made his monologues safe and disarmed the enemy of the conservative views of the nobles.

Feelings and features of the hero's inner experiences

When characterizing Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit", you can pay attention to his name. She's a speaker. Initially, this hero bore the surname Chadsky, from the word "chad". This is due to the fact that the main character is, as it were, in the daze of his own hopes and upheavals. Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit" experiences a personal drama. He came to Sophia with certain hopes that did not come true. Moreover, his beloved preferred Molchalin to him, who is clearly inferior to Chatsky in intelligence. Chatsky is also burdened by being in a society whose views he does not share, which he is forced to resist. The hero is in constant tension. By the end of the day, he finally realizes that his paths have parted ways with both Sophia and the Russian conservative nobility. There is only one thing the hero cannot accept: why is fate favorable to cynical people seeking personal benefit in everything, and so ruthless to those who are guided by the dictates of the soul, and not by calculation? If at the beginning of the play Chatsky is in the daze of his dreams, now the true state of affairs has opened up before him, and he has “sobered up”.

The meaning of the image of Chatsky

The creation of the image of Chatsky Griboyedov was led by the desire to show the impending split in the noble environment. The role of Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit" is quite dramatic, because he remains in the minority and is forced to retreat and leave Moscow, but he does not deviate from his views. So Griboyedov shows that Chatsky's time has not yet come. It is no coincidence that such heroes are classified as extra people in Russian literature. However, the conflict has already been identified, so the replacement of the old with the new is ultimately inevitable.

The above characteristics of the image of the protagonist are recommended for reading by 9th grade students before writing an essay on the topic "The image of Chatsky in the comedy" Woe from Wit "

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