Composition and figurative motives of an Old Russian parchment collection of the late 14th — early 16th centuries

Abstract

Old Russian manuscript collections can also be literary monuments and enrich the history of literature of Kievan Rus'. In the present article, one of these ancient collections, and first of all its composition, is analyzed from literary point of view. A speculation about optimism of the anonymous compiler after the expectations of the end of the world in 1492 (7000, according to Old Russian chronology) is given. The appendix presents an unpublished anonymous premonition against drunkenness with a description of disgusting behavior of drunks.

Keywords

• old russian literature
• literary collections
• composition
• figurativeness