Derzhavin and his “Marble Bust”

Izvestiâ Rossijskoj akademii nauk. Seriâ literatury i âzyka, vol. 83, pp. 22–30

Abstract

This paper deals with Derzhavin’s autobiographical poetry as exemplified by his poem “My Bust”. A marble bust which Derzhavin had ordered for himself is a source of hope and self-doubt for his lyrical speaker. Does he actually deserve the honour represented by this sculpture and, if the answer is yes, on which grounds? Accordingly, the lyrical monologue turns into a sequence of sharply contrasting moods of confidence and self-deprecation, which is unique in eighteenth-century Russian poetry. The dramatism of this monologue calms down at the end of the poem in a spirit of Horatian wisdom. The poem is remarkable for its self-critical and self-ironic character. The article closes with a reflection on Derzhavin and his claim of eternal fame.

Authors 1

1. Joachim Klein corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Leiden