THE MOTIF OF A MONK'S TEMPTATION IN YA. P. POLONSKY'S CREATIVE WORK

The article studies artistic functions of the motif of a monk’s temptation in Yakov Polonsky’s lyric poetry and his poem Keliot. The study focuses on biographical prerequisites to the poet’s Christian mind. To analyze literary motifs typical of Polonsky’s poetry the article employs anthropological and axiological approaches. It examines the role that Gospel plays in Polonsky’s lyric poetry. The paper maintains that plot development plays a secondary role in the poem Keliot. Polonsky centers on a complex philosophical themes of love and the Law in the system of Christian values. Like the Biblical characters Polonsky’s character experiences lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The poem depicts a human being within the framework of Christian tradition. Having fallen from his primeval integrity into sin, a human being receives forgiveness through complete repentance and acts of love. The final lines of the poem extol self-sacrificing Christian love. The study maintains that Polonsky depicts human beings through the prism of his Christian consciousness.