POEMS OF KYIV PERIOD OF TEOPHAN PROKOPOVYCH: IDEAS, TOPICS AND GENRES

Abstract

This paper explores the specificities of Theophan Prokopovich's poetic legacy during his time in Kyiv, focusing on its ideological, thematic, and genre foundations. The article outlines the chronological boundaries of Prokopovich's Kyiv period, analyzing their connection to the writer's biography, and for the first time, identifies two distinct stages within this period. The first stage is characterized by the author's staunch defense of Ukrainian values and interests. The second stage reflects the evolution of Prokopovich's poetics towards imperial positions under Peter I. The article analyzes the diverse range of poetic genres used by the author. The paper argues that Prokopovich introduced an innovative direction in his poetry, featuring a simple verse form and a clear, comprehensible artistic style devoid of contradictions. The key aspects of the poetic legacy from the Kyiv period include the exploration of various genres and the fluctuating social perspectives of the author, which significantly influenced his poetics. The first stage encompasses the earliest works on Ukrainian themes, artistic-historical descriptions of Rus-Ukraine as the homeland, the author's interpretations of moral and ethical questions, and depictions of the internal emotions and experiences of the lyrical protagonist. The poetry of the second stage is characterized by the variability of Prokopovich's political views following the defeat of Hetman Ivan Mazepa in the Battle of Poltava in 1709. The poetic works introduce ideas that testify to the author's betrayal of Ukrainian interests and his shift towards pro-Russian positions. Special attention is given to these artistically accomplished yet politically treacherous compositions. The article represents an innovative and objective analysis of the texts, their artistic value, and their ideological positions, shedding light on the phenomenon of Prokopovich's poetic legacy during his Kyiv period. The Kyiv texts are characterized by artistic excellence, combining classicistic and baroque styles, achieving perfection and clarity, simplicity, and formalism, as well as exploring various genre varieties. The author's experimental approach with traditional genres and their modernization in response to the challenges of the Baroque era is also discussed.