THE WOMEN'S MYTHOLOGICAL IMAGES IN THE TARAS SHEVCHENKO'S AND YURIJ VYNNYCHUK'S WORKS

The article gives a detailed analysis of the mythological women images' transformation in Taras Shevchenko's and Yurij Vynnychuk's works. The peculiarities of using of these images in the poem "Witch", the ballad "Insane woman" by Taras Shevchenko and short stories "Hornlet", "Taste of birch" by Yutij Vynnychuk are examined. It is shown that respectful attitude to women was typical feature of the Ukrainian nation from the remotest times, as a woman plays the most important role in our mental sensation of the world – the role of mother and tradition-keeper. Therefore it is understood that in Ukrainian mythology the images of a witch and a mermaid have not obtain negative connotation, as they have in many other mythologies. The comparative analysis is given, common and different features of the witch and mermaid images in the Taras Shevchenko's and Yurij Vynnychuk's works are determined. The common peculiarity of picturing their heroines as positive and kind women in both authors' creations is defined. Such a position suits the general believes of the Ukrainian nation and represents national and common to mankind values that are reflected in our mythology. Besides, the both authors impart their mythic women with typical for human soul feelings and emotions, such as love, sadness, care, compassion and ability to forgive. The main difference is the fact, that Yurij Vynnychuk combines Ukrainian mythology with European and adds own descriptions in describing the appearance of mermaids and withes, while Taras Shevchenko follows Ukrainian mythological concepts. The reason of this difference is caused by the great lapse of time in almost two centuries between the authors and different peculiarities of style of their works.