Golden Age of Poetry

Corresponds to the Western European Romantic poetry age, but classical in style and spirit.

Pushkin has been compared to Mozart in the scope and influence of his work.

Emphasis is put on the perfection of the form.

The movement calls itself “romanticism” from the 1820s.

It was strongly inspired by Shakespeare (his psychological insight) and Byron (his eloquence).

There was no “return to nature” movement, no animism, unlike in the Western European Romantic movement.

It was a poetry of noblemen, who liked to write most about wine, friendship, good company.

The Golden Age may be said to have begun formally with the formation of the literary society Arzamas (from a humorous poem).

Other poets involved in the society were:

• Zhukovskii
• Batiushkin
• Viazemskii

It was a poetic friendship, a chance for literary conversations, and light poetry.

After 1820, their attitude turns more serious. Pushkin’s fame rises.

In the 1830s begins the rise of prose, it’s the birth of the Russian novel.