Gavriil Derzhavin went down in history not only as a writer, he went from a guard private to the Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. He was the governor of two regions and personal assistant to Catherine II. He wrote the first unofficial anthem of Russia, participated in one of the first literary circles of the 18th century, and then created his own - “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.”
Gabriel Derzhavin was born in 1743 near Kazan. His father died early, and it was difficult for his mother to give her sons a good education. The family moved often. First, Derzhavin studied at an Orenburg school, then at a Kazan gymnasium. Here he became acquainted with the poetry of Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Sumarokov, Vasily Trediakovsky and tried to write poetry himself. Vladislav Khodasevich wrote about his first works: “It came out clumsy and clumsy; neither a verse nor a syllable was given, and there was no one to show it to, no one to ask for advice and guidance.”.
Since 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin served as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. The poet recalled this time as the most joyless period of his life. He carried out heavy military service, and in rare free moments he wrote poetry. In part, Derzhavin became addicted to cards, he wrote in his autobiography: “I learned conspiracies and all sorts of gamer scams. But, thank God, my mother’s conscience, or better yet, her prayers, never allowed her to indulge in brazen theft or treacherous betrayal.”. Because of his destructive hobby, Derzhavin was once almost demoted to soldier: he was so carried away by the game that he did not return from discharge on time.
Ivan Smirnovsky. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1790
Having decided to end his wild life, Derzhavin moved to St. Petersburg. At this time, the plague was raging in Russia, and at the quarantine outpost - at the entrance to the capital - the poet was forced to burn all his papers: “Everything that I scribbled throughout my youth for almost 20 years, such as translations from German and my own works in prose and poetry. Whether they were good or bad, it is now impossible to say; but among his close friends who read it... they praised him very much.”. Many of the lost poems were later reproduced by Gabriel Derzhavin from memory.
During the Peasant War (1773–1775), Gabriel Derzhavin served on the Volga and worked on the commission to investigate the cases of Emelyan Pugachev’s accomplices. He wrote an “exhortation to the Kalmyks,” in which he called on them to repent and not support peasant unrest. The commander-in-chief of the troops, Alexander Bibikov, sent this message along with a report to Catherine II. Derzhavin's financial situation was difficult, and soon he wrote a letter to the Empress listing his merits. The poet was appointed collegiate adviser and was granted 300 souls. And four years later a book with Derzhavin’s odes was published.
Soon, Gabriel Derzhavin married Ekaterina Bastidon, the daughter of the former valet of Peter III and nurse of Paul I. Derzhavin called his wife Plenira - from the word “to captivate” - and dedicated many poems to her. It was during these years that he acquired his own literary style. He wrote philosophical lyrics - odes “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky” (1799), “God” (1784), the poem “Autumn during the Siege of Ochakov” (1788).
“Felitsa” and the first anthem of Russia
Derzhavin published, but he was not very well known in literary circles. Everything changed in 1783, when the poet wrote the ode “Felitsa” with a dedication to Catherine II. The poet took the title from the empress’s pedagogical work, “Tales of Prince Chlorus.” In his poem, the “princess of the Kyrgyz-Kaisak horde” turned into the ideal of an enlightened ruler, the mother of the people. For the ode, Derzhavin was awarded a gold snuffbox studded with diamonds, containing 500 chervonets. And after a loud poetic performance, the poet began to be awarded high positions. However, Derzhavin’s principled character prevented him from getting along with officials, and he was often transferred from place to place.
“As soon as some injustice or oppression meted out to someone touches his ears or, on the contrary, some feat of philanthropy and good deed - immediately his cap is askew, it comes to life, his eyes sparkle, and the poet turns into an orator, a champion of the truth.”
Stepan Zhikharev
Salvator Tonchi. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1801
In 1784 he was appointed Olonets governor in Petrozavodsk, and in 1785 he was transferred to Tambov. This region was then one of the most backward in the country. Derzhavin built a school, a hospital, an orphanage in Tambov, opened a city theater and the first printing house in the city.
Six years later, the poet went into the service of the Empress personally: he became her cabinet secretary. But since honest Derzhavin reported more “every kind of unpleasant thing, that is, petitions for injustice, rewards for merit and favors due to poverty”, Catherine II tried to contact her assistant as rarely as possible, and soon he was completely transferred to serve in the Senate.
In 1791, Derzhavin created the first anthem of Russia, albeit unofficial. There was a war with Turkey, Russian troops led by Alexander Suvorov took the Izmail fortress. Inspired by this victory, Derzhavin wrote the poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” The poem was set to music by composer Osip Kozlovsky. Only 15 years later, “Thunder of Victory” was replaced by the official anthem “God Save the Tsar!”
After the death of his first wife, the poet married a second time - to Daria Dyakova. Derzhavin did not have children in any marriage. The couple took care of the children of a deceased family friend, Pyotr Lazarev. One of his sons, Mikhail Lazarev, became an admiral, discoverer of Antarctica, and governor of Sevastopol. Daria Dyakova’s nieces were also raised in the family.
Under Paul I, Derzhavin served in the Supreme Council, was president of the Commerce Collegium and state treasurer. Under Emperor Alexander I - Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. All this time the poet continued to write. He created the odes “God”, “Nobleman”, “Waterfall”. In 1803, Gabriel Derzhavin finally left government service.
I didn't know how to pretend
Look like a saint
To inflate yourself with an important dignity,
And the philosopher takes the form......I fell, I got up in my age.
Come on, sage! on my coffin there is a stone,
If you're not human.Gabriel Derzhavin
“Conversation among lovers of the Russian word”
After his resignation, Gabriel Derzhavin devoted himself entirely to literature. He wrote tragedies, comedies and operas for the theater, and created poetic translations of Racine. The poet also composed fables (“Blind Man’s Bluff”, “Choice of a Minister”), and worked on the treatise “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or an Ode.” “Notes,” as the author called them, contained the theory of versification and examples of poetry from different periods, starting with ancient Greek. In 1812, the poet wrote the fairy tale “The Tsar Maiden”.
Gabriel Derzhavin organized the literary circle “Conversation of lovers of the Russian word.” It included writers Dmitry Khvostov, Alexander Shishkov, Alexander Shakhovskoy, Ivan Dmitriev.
“His head was a repository of comparisons, comparisons, maxims and pictures for his future poetic works. He spoke abruptly and not eloquently. But the same man spoke for a long time, sharply and passionately when he recounted some dispute on an important matter in the Senate or about court intrigues, and sat until midnight at the paper when he wrote a vote, conclusion or draft of some government decree. .
Ivan Dmitriev
"Besedchiki" adhered to conservative views on literary creativity, opposed reforms of the Russian language - they were defended by supporters of Nikolai Karamzin. The Karamzinists were the main opponents of Beseda; later they formed the Arzamas society.
Gabriel Derzhavin’s last work was the unfinished poem “The River of Times in its Aspiration...”. In 1816, the poet died on his Novgorod estate Zvanka.
Date of birth: July 14, 1743
Date of death: July 20, 1816
Place of birth: Sokury village, Kazan province
Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich- outstanding Russian poet and politician, Derzhavin G.R.– born on the third of July 1743. His work personifies the peak of Russian classicism. During his lifetime, he managed to be the governor of the Tambov province, the ruler of the Olonets governorate, the personal secretary under Catherine II, the minister of justice, the president of the Commerce Collegium and an honorary member of the Russian Academy (from its founding).
Gabriel was born in a small village in the Kazan province. His father, Roman, was not a very rich nobleman and had the honorary rank of major. According to family legends, the Derzhavin family descended from the Tatar Murza Bagrim. He left the Golden Horde in the 15th century and went into the service of the prince (during the reign of Vasily the Dark). The prince had Murza baptized and named Ilya. One of Ilya’s sons was named Dmitry, and he, in turn, had a son, Derzhava. This is how the Derzhavin family came about. Gabriel lost his father at an early age. He was raised by his mother, Thekla.
Derzhavin initially learned to read and write at home. Churchmen taught him. At the age of seven, living in Orenburg, the father sends his son to the boarding school of the German Rose, who was not reputed to have a particularly good education or culture. However, after four years spent there, Derzhavin began to speak German satisfactorily. A little later, Gabriel studied at the Kazan gymnasium (in 1759-1762). Then he goes off to serve.
From 1762 he experienced all the hardships of military service. Derzhavin started with the Preobrazhensky Regiment. He was lucky in terms of participation in the most important historical events, but unlucky as a young warrior. From the very beginning of your service you have to participate in the most important event - a coup d'etat. The result was the ascension of Catherine II to the throne. Ten years later, he is promoted to the rank of officer, and again he immediately has to take an active part in pacifying the Pugachev uprising.
Gabriel published his first poems in 1773 (at that time he was already thirty years old). In his works he tries to inherit Sumarkov and Lomonosov, but since 1779 he understands that it is worth developing his own way of writing. He becomes the founder of a new, original poetic style, which over the years turns into an example of Russian philosophical lyrics. In 1778, he married E. Ya. Bastidon, whom he called Plenira at home.
Excessive vanity lived in Derzhavin’s soul, which is why he was constantly sure that the empress underestimated him as a military man. It is for this reason that Gabriel leaves his military position and devotes himself entirely to civilian service.
The beginning of his service was in the Senate, in which he was unable to get a job due to his increased desire for the truth.
In 1782, he wrote the now famous “Ode to Felice,” in which, under a light veil, he addressed himself directly to the Empress. In turn, Catherine II liked his work, and she appointed Derzhavin governor of Olonets, and after some time - governor of Tambov.
It should be noted that Derzhavin fought in every possible way against the bureaucracy, defended the interests of the local people, and also made every effort to turn these lands into some of the most enlightened in Russia.
Unfortunately, the energy, directness and sense of increased justice of the politician often played a cruel joke on him. He was disliked by his superior nobles, and his positions in the civil service often changed.
In 1791-1793 - becomes a personal cabinet secretary under Empress Catherine II herself, however, even here he could not get along with her politics, which is why he was immediately removed. In the summer of 1794, his wife died, and a year later he married D. A. Dyakova, whom he prefers to call Milena in his home circle.
In 1802-1803 - Minister of Justice, but at the age of sixty (1803) decides to resign.
When Derzhavin retired from government affairs, he completely devoted himself to creativity. He was also hospitable to various writers in St. Petersburg. A little later, he decided to settle in St. Petersburg, but at the same time he visited the Zvanka estate, which is in the Novgorod province. In 1811 he became an honorary member of the literary community “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word”. One of the most active poets in the local environment.
Derzhavin died in July 1816 in the village of Zvanki. He was buried next to his second wife Daria in the Transfiguration Cathedral (Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery), located near Veliky Novgorod.
During the Great Patriotic War, this monastery was subject to serious artillery shelling. In 1959, a decision was made to rebury Derzhavin and his wife in Novgorod Detinets. When the restoration of the cathedral was completed in 1993, their remains were returned again on the anniversary (250th anniversary of Derzhavin).
Achievements of Gabriel Derzhavin:
The work of Gabriel Derzhavin became a wonderful basis for the poetry of Pushkin, Batyushkov and the Decembrist poets.
He is the founder of Russian classicism.
Dates from the biography of Gabriel Derzhavin:
1743 – birth.
1759-1762 – Kazan gymnasium.
1762 – serves in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
1772 - receives an officer rank.
1778 – marries Catherine Bastidon.
1782 - “Ode to Felitsa”, dedicated to Catherine II.
1784 - an ode of a philosophical bent, “God,” is published.
1784-1785 - Olonets governor.
1786-1788 - Governor of the Tambov province.
1788 – writes “Autumn during the siege of Ochakov.”
1791 - the unofficial anthem of Russia comes from the pen of Derzhavin: “The thunder of victory, ring out!”
1791-1793 - Cabinet Secretary under Catherine II.
1791-1794 – writes “Waterfall”
1794 - headed the Commerce Collegium. Death of the first wife. Poems "Nobleman".
1795 – second wife, Daria Dyakova.
1799 - another philosophical ode “On the death of Prince Meshchersky.”
1800 - the poem “Bullfinch”, which was written in memory of the deceased Suvorov.
1802-1803 - Minister of Justice.
1803 - resigns.
1811 – enters the lit. Society "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word."
181101815 - working on “Discourse on lyric poetry or ode” (treatise).
1816 - death.
Interesting facts of Gabriel Derzhavin:
Derzhavin was a connoisseur of erotica. He loved to write erotic prose. An example is the “Aristippus Bath”. He gave it a special softness, excluding, if possible, the hard letter “r”. He was pleased when such works were read out to the ladies in his presence.
The image of Derzhavin is immortalized in numerous monuments: St. Petersburg, Kazan, Tambov, Petrozavodsk. In Tambov there is Derzhavinskaya Street, the local state university also bears his name, and even a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honor.
During his life, Derzhavin managed to experience both need and wealth. The story tells that one day, left with the last 50 rubles in his pocket, Gabriel decided to play cards, although he had never played before. At the end of the evening, Derzhavin leaves with 8,000 rubles. Later, he even won 40,000 in a short time, which he spent on urgent debts. However, like any wise man, he stopped in time.
In 1815, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum in full force awaited the arrival of the famous Derzhavin. Everyone was dumbfounded when the first thing the important guest did was ask where their outhouse was located.
Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-1816) - an outstanding Russian poet of the 18th - early 19th centuries. Derzhavin's work was innovative in many ways and left a significant mark on the history of literature in our country, influencing its further development.
Life and work of Derzhavin
Reading Derzhavin’s biography, it can be noted that the writer’s early years did not indicate in any way that he was destined to become a great man and a brilliant innovator.
Gavrila Romanovich was born in 1743 in the Kazan province. The family of the future writer was very poor, but belonged to the noble class.
Early years
As a child, Derzhavin had to endure the death of his father, which further worsened the family’s financial situation. The mother was forced to do anything to provide for her two sons and give them at least some kind of upbringing and education. There weren’t many good teachers in the province where the family lived; we had to put up with the ones we could hire. Despite the difficult situation, poor health, and unqualified teachers, Derzhavin, thanks to his abilities and perseverance, was still able to receive a decent education.
Military service
While still a student at the Kazan gymnasium, the poet wrote his first poems. However, he never managed to finish his studies at the gymnasium. The fact is that a clerical error made by some employee led to the fact that the young man was sent to military service in St. Petersburg a year earlier, as an ordinary soldier. Only ten years later he managed to achieve the rank of officer.
With his entry into military service, Derzhavin’s life and work changed greatly. His duty of service left little time for literary activity, but despite this, during the war years Derzhavin composed quite a lot of comic poems, and also studied the works of various authors, including Lomonosov, whom he especially revered and considered a role model. German poetry also attracted Derzhavin. He knew the German language very well and translated German poets into Russian and often relied on them in his own poems.
However, at that time Gavrila Romanovich did not yet see his main calling in poetry. He aspired to a military career, to serving his homeland and improving the financial situation of his family.
In 1773-1774 Derzhavin participated in the suppression of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev, but never achieved promotion or recognition of his merits. Having received only three hundred souls as a reward, he was demobilized. For some time, circumstances forced him to earn a living in a not entirely honest way - by playing cards.
Unlocking talent
It is worth noting that it was at this time, by the seventies, that his talent was truly revealed for the first time. “Chatalagai Odes” (1776) aroused the interest of readers, although creatively this and other works of the seventies were not yet completely independent. Derzhavin's work was somewhat imitative, in particular, of Sumarokov, Lomonosov and others. The strict rules of versification, to which, following the classicist tradition, his poems were subject, did not allow the author’s unique talent to fully reveal itself.
In 1778, a joyful event happened in the writer’s personal life - he fell passionately in love and married Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon, who became his poetic muse for many years (under the name Plenira).
Own path in literature
Since 1779, the writer has chosen his own path in literature. Until 1791, he worked in the area that brought him the greatest fame. However, the poet does not simply follow the classicist models of this strict genre. He reforms it, completely changing the language, which becomes unusually sonorous, emotional, completely different from what it was in measured, rational classicism. Derzhavin also completely changed the ideological content of the ode. If earlier state interests were above all, now personal, intimate revelations are also introduced into Derzhavin’s work. In this respect, he foreshadowed sentimentalism with its emphasis on emotionality and sensuality.
Recent years
In the last decades of his life, Derzhavin stopped writing odes; love lyrics, friendly messages, and comic poems began to predominate in his work.
Derzhavin's work in brief
The poet himself considered his main merit to be the introduction of the “funny Russian style” into fiction, which mixed elements of high and colloquial style and combined lyricism and satire. Derzhavin’s innovation was also in the fact that he expanded the list of themes of Russian poetry, including plots and motifs from everyday life.
Solemn odes
Derzhavin's work is briefly characterized by his most famous odes. They often contain the everyday and the heroic, the civil and the personal. Derzhavin's work thus combines previously incompatible elements. For example, “Poems for the birth of a porphyry-born youth in the North” can no longer be called a solemn ode in the classic sense of the word. The birth of Alexander Pavlovich in 1779 was described as a great event, all geniuses bring him various gifts - intelligence, wealth, beauty, etc. However, the wish of the last of them (“Be a man on the throne”) indicates that the king is a man, which was not typical for classicism. Innovation in Derzhavin’s work manifested itself here in the confusion of a person’s civil and personal status.
"Felitsa"
In this ode, Derzhavin dared to address the empress herself and argue with her. Felitsa is Catherine II. Gavrila Romanovich presents the reigning person as something that violates the strict classicist tradition that existed at that time. The poet admires Catherine II not as a statesman, but as a wise person who knows her path in life and follows it. The poet then describes his life. Self-irony when describing the passions that possessed the poet serves to emphasize Felitsa’s merits.
That is, the genre of ode, completely focused on the object of praise, turns into a friendly message from the poet, where there are two sides, and each of them is important, and not just the addressee. In Catherine II, the poet values most of all generosity, simplicity, condescension, that is, personal,
"To take Ishmael"
This ode depicts a majestic image of the Russian people conquering a Turkish fortress. Its power is likened to the forces of nature: an earthquake, a sea storm, a volcanic eruption. However, she is not spontaneous, but submits to the will of the Russian sovereign, driven by a feeling of devotion to her homeland. The extraordinary strength of the Russian warrior and the Russian people in general, his power and greatness were depicted in this work.
"Waterfall"
In this ode, written in 1791, the main image is of a stream, symbolizing the frailty of existence, earthly glory and human greatness. The prototype of the waterfall was Kivach, located in Karelia. The color palette of the work is rich in various shades and colors. Initially, this was just a description of the waterfall, but after the death of Prince Potemkin (who died unexpectedly on the way home, returning with victory in the Russian-Turkish war), Gavrila Romanovich added semantic content to the picture, and the waterfall began to personify the frailty of life and suggest philosophical thoughts about various values. Derzhavin was personally acquainted with Prince Potemkin and could not help but respond to his sudden death.
However, Gavrila Romanovich was far from admiring Potemkin. In the ode, Rumyantsev is contrasted with him - that’s who, according to the author, is the true hero. Rumyantsev was a true patriot, caring about the common good, and not personal glory and well-being. This hero in the ode figuratively corresponds to a quiet stream. The noisy waterfall is contrasted with the inconspicuous beauty of the Suna River with its majestic and calm flow, waters full of clarity. People like Rumyantsev, who live their lives calmly, without fuss or boiling passions, can reflect all the beauty of the sky.
Philosophical odes
The themes of Derzhavin’s work continue with the philosophical “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky” (1779) was written after the death of the heir Paul. Moreover, death is depicted figuratively, it “sharpens the blade of the scythe” and “grinds its teeth.” Reading this ode, at first it even seems that this is a kind of “hymn” to death. However, it ends with the opposite conclusion - Derzhavin calls us to value life as “an instant gift from heaven” and to live it in such a way as to die with a pure heart.
Anacreontic lyrics
Imitating ancient authors, creating translations of their poems, Derzhavin created his miniatures, in which one can feel the national Russian flavor, life, and describe Russian nature. Classicism in Derzhavin’s work underwent its transformation here too.
Translating Anacreon for Gavrila Romanovich is an opportunity to escape into the realm of nature, man and everyday life, which had no place in strict classicist poetry. The image of this ancient poet, despising light and loving life, was very attractive to Derzhavin.
In 1804, Anacreontic Songs were published as a separate edition. In the preface, he explains why he decided to write “light poetry”: the poet wrote such poems in his youth, and published them now because he left the service, became a private person and is now free to publish whatever he wants.
Late lyrics
A feature of Derzhavin’s creativity in the late period is that at this time he practically stopped writing odes and created mainly lyrical works. The poem "Eugene. Life of Zvanskaya", written in 1807, describes the daily home life of an old nobleman living in a luxurious rural family estate. Researchers note that this work was written in response to Zhukovsky’s elegy “Evening” and was polemical to the emerging romanticism.
Derzhavin’s late lyricism also includes the work “Monument”, filled with faith in the dignity of man despite adversity, life’s vicissitudes and historical changes.
The significance of Derzhavin's work was very great. The transformation of classicist forms begun by Gavrila Sergeevich was continued by Pushkin, and later by other Russian poets.
Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin occupies a significant place in Russian literature along with D.I. Fonvizin and M.V. Lomonosov. Together with these titans of Russian literature, he is included in the brilliant galaxy of founders of Russian classical literature of the Enlightenment era, dating back to the second half of the 18th century. At this time, largely thanks to the personal participation of Catherine the Second, science and art were rapidly developing in Russia.
This is the time of the appearance of the first Russian universities, libraries, theaters, public museums and a relatively independent press, although very relative and for a short period, which ended with the appearance of “Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow” by A.P. Radishcheva. The most fruitful period of the poet’s activity dates back to this time, as Famusov Griboyedov called it, “the golden age of Catherine.”
Life
The future poet was born on July 14, 1743 in the family estate of Sokury near Kazan.
Even in early childhood, he lost his father, an officer in the Russian army, and was raised by his mother Fyokla Andreevna Kozlova. Derzhavin's life was bright and eventful, largely thanks to his intelligence, energy and character. There have been incredible ups and downs. Based on his biography, one could write an adventure novel based on real events. But, more about everything.
In 1762, as befits children of the nobility, he was accepted into the Preobrazhensky Regiment as an ordinary guardsman. In 1772 he became an officer and from 1773 to 1775. took part in the suppression of the Pugachev rebellion. At this time, two completely opposite in significance and improbability events happen to him. During the Pugachev riot, he completely lost his fortune, but soon won 40,000 rubles in a card game.
It was only in 1773 that his first poems were published. Some interesting facts of his life relate to this period of his life. Like many officers, he did not shy away from carousing and gambling, which almost deprived Russia of a great poet. Cards drove him to cheating; all sorts of unseemly tricks were committed for the sake of money. Fortunately, he was able to realize in time the harmfulness of this path and change his lifestyle.
In 1777 he retired from military service. Enters to serve as a state councilor in the Senate. It is worth noting that he was an incorrigible truth-teller, and, moreover, did not particularly worship his superiors, for which he never enjoyed the love of the latter. From May 1784 to 1802 was in public service, including from 1791-1793. cabinet secretary of Catherine II, but his inability to openly flatter and promptly stop reports unpleasant to the royal ears contributed to the fact that he did not stay here for long. During his service, he rose in his career to become the Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire.
Thanks to his truth-loving and irreconcilable character, Gabriel Romanovich did not stay in each position for more than two years due to constant conflicts with thieving officials, as can be seen from the chronology of his service. All attempts to achieve justice only irritated his high patrons.
During all this time he was engaged in creative activities. The odes “God” (1784), “Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” were created. (1791, the unofficial anthem of Russia), well known to us from Pushkin’s story “Dubrovsky”, “The Nobleman” (1794), “Waterfall” (1798) and many others.
After retirement, he lived on his family estate Zvanka in the Novgorod province, where he devoted all his time to creativity. Died on July 8, 1816.
Literary creativity
Derzhavin became widely known in 1782 with the publication of the ode “Felitsa,” dedicated to the Empress. Early works - an ode to the wedding of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, published in 1773. In general, the ode occupies one of the dominant places in the poet’s work. His odes have reached us: “On the death of Bibikov”, “On the nobles”, “On Her Majesty’s Birthday”, etc. In his first compositions one can feel an open imitation of Lomonosov. Over time, he moved away from this and accepted the works of Horace as a model for his odes. He published his works mainly in the St. Petersburg Bulletin. These are: “Songs to Peter the Great” (1778), an epistole to Shuvalov, “On the death of Prince Meshchersky”, “The Key”, “On the birth of a porphyry-born youth” (1779), “On the absence of the empress in Belarus”, “To the first neighbor”, “ To rulers and judges" (1780).
The sublime tone and vivid pictures of these works attracted the attention of writers. The poet attracted the attention of society with his “Ode to Felitsa,” dedicated to the queen. A snuff box studded with diamonds and 50 chervonets were the reward for the ode, thanks to which he was noticed by the queen and the public. His odes “To the Capture of Ishmael” and “Waterfall” brought him no less success. The meeting and close acquaintance with Karamzin led to cooperation in Karamzin’s Moscow Journal. His “Monument to a Hero”, “On the Death of Countess Rumyantseva”, “The Majesty of God” were published here.
Shortly before the departure of Catherine the Second, Derzhavin presented her with his handwritten collection of works. This is remarkable. After all, the poet’s talent flourished precisely during her reign. In fact, his work became a living monument to the reign of Catherine II. In the last years of his life he tried to experiment with tragedies, epigrams and fables, but they do not have the same height as his poetry.
Criticism was mixed. From awe to almost complete denial of his work. Only the works of D. Grog, dedicated to Derzhavin, which appeared after the revolution, and his efforts to publish the works and biography of the poet made it possible to evaluate his work.
For us, Derzhavin is the first poet of that era whose poems can be read without additional comments and explanations.
