Russian Folktales · Chapter
General Notes explained
This chapter provides explanatory notes on various characters, places, and concepts from Russian folklore, including Alyósha Popóvich, Tsar Angéy, Bába Yagá, the Bogatýr, Bryánsk, Chernígov, Christ, the Brother of Christ, and Chufíl-Fílyush
What happens
This chapter provides explanatory notes on various characters, places, and concepts from Russian folklore, including Alyósha Popóvich, Tsar Angéy, Bába Yagá, the Bogatýr, Bryánsk, Chernígov, Christ, the Brother of Christ, and Chufíl-Fílyushka, with etymological and comparative mythological insights.
Themes in this chapter
Magic and Transformation
The notes discuss magical elements such as Bába Yagá's revolving house and the legendary magic of Bryánsk woods.
Heroic Quest and Transformation
The bogatýr is described as a knight of superhuman prowess, central to heroic quests in Russian folklore.
Characters to notice
- Alyósha Popóvich
One of the great knights at the court of Prince Vladímir, known as the 'Mocker of Women' and more of a jibe-maker than a warrior.
- Tsar Angéy
Mentioned in connection with the fabulous city Filuyán, derived from the Greek Θύλη.
- Bába Yagá
Noted for the revolving house legend, cognate with magic wheels and whirling ramparts in Celtic mythology.
- Christ
Appears in Russian folklore walking the earth with disciples, with a tone of friendly familiarity and sarcastic humor.
- The Brother of Christ
Referenced in the context of a punishment analogy with Dante's Inferno.
- Chufíl - Fílyushka
Both names are adaptations of the Greek Θεόφιλος.
- Prince Vladímir
Mentioned as the ruler at whose court Alyósha Popóvich serves.
Key passages
“Alyósha Popóvich. One of the great knights at the court of Prince Vladímir. He was an effeminate kind of person and perhaps one who rather incited others to effort by his jibes than by his prowess.”
Alyósha Popóvich is a knight at Prince Vladímir's court, known more for mocking others into action than for his own fighting skill.
Character description of Alyósha Popóvich.
“Bába Yagá. In Professor Sypherd’s studies on Chaucer’s House of Fame, Chaucer Society, 1904, a most valuable note will be found on revolving houses. It will be seen that the legend is cognate with magic wheels that revolve at great speed, or turn on wheels emitting flame and poison.”
Bába Yagá's revolving house is linked to legends of magic wheels that spin rapidly, sometimes emitting fire and poison.
Comparative mythology note on Bába Yagá.
“The bogatýr is the Russian Knight, but is absolutely unlike any Western romantic notion. He is a person of magical power and gigantic stature and prowess.”
The bogatýr is a uniquely Russian knight, distinct from Western knights, possessing magical abilities and immense size and strength.
Definition of bogatýr.