ARTISTIC COMPREHENSION OF THE EXISTENTIAL OF FEAR IN THE DRAMA OF H. KHOTKEVYCH

Abstract

The article deals with the drama of Hnat Khotkevych “Bad Times”, “They”, “On the Railway” and “The Village in 1905, “ which make up the cycle devoted to the revolution of 1905 – 1907. The history of writing and the relevance of the theme for the playwright and the literary process in general are outlined. The author analyzes the key problem that the writer in the drama violates, namely the existential fear and the problems of individual freedom and freedom of choice, death etc. The point of intersection of the lines of historical development and the existential of fear is determined. Based on the etymology of the word “revolution”, the content is filled with anxiety and the interdependence of these two categories. The promulgation of the little-known work of H. Khotkevych “To the First Revolutionary”, where, through Christian symbolism, he reveals the power of the spirit and the justification of the revolutionary struggle in the name of the salvation of mankind is very important in this article. The writer, focusing on the importance of revolutions, reflects on the problems of fear for his life and of changes, and also conversely, fear of courage and enthusiasm, even if the latter can end in a tragic manner. Modeling the image of a revolutionary, the writer turns to the philosophy of F. Nietzsche and G. Skovoroda. He tries to unite diametrically opposite views, but thus he creates his own concept, the essence of which is reduced to the necessity and justification of the struggle, because it is the awakening of the power of the spirit, of freedom. Creating images in the drama, H. Khotkevych seems to snatch different types of crowds and simulating a particular situation, a kind of laboratory, where he demonstrates the nature of the character. Particularly vivid here are the images of the characters-philistines: Mosi, Sarah and Mitrofan Ivanovich of the drama “Bad Times”, representatives of the higher social versts of the drama “They”. Analyzing their thoughts, the author makes a sad conclusion that the most important problem of defeats in any case and tragic disappointments is the lack of readiness of the majority to radical changes. Therefore, the writer concludes that from the Biblical times and to this day there is a violent pattern that the hero must surely die: in order to make changes that everyone is waiting for.