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Alexander Griboyedov
Woe from Wit (collection)
Woe from mind
Characters
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, manager in a government place.
Sofya Pavlovna, his daughter.
Lizanka, maid.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, Famusov’s secretary, living in his house.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky.
Colonel Skalozub, Sergei Sergeevich.
Natalya Dmitrievna, young lady
Platon Mikhailovich, her husband
Prince Tugoukhovsky And
Princess, his wife, with six daughters.
Countess grandmother
Countess granddaughter
Anton Antonovi h Zagoretsky.
Old Woman Khlestova, sister-in-law of Famusov.
Repetilov.
Parsley and several talking servants.
Lots of guests of all sorts and their lackeys on their way out.
Famusov's waiters.
Action in Moscow in Famusov's house.
Act I
Phenomenon 1The living room, there is a large clock in it, on the right is the door to Sofia’s bedroom, from where you can hear the piano and flute, which then fall silent.
Lizanka in the middle of the room he sleeps, hanging from an armchair.
(Morning, the day is just dawning.)
Lizanka (suddenly wakes up, gets up from her chair, looks around)
It's getting light!.. Ah! how quickly the night has passed!
Yesterday I asked to sleep - refusal.
"Waiting for a friend." - You need an eye and an eye,
Don't sleep until you roll out of your chair.
Now I just took a nap,
It’s already day!.. tell them...
(Knocks on Sofia's door.)
Gentlemen,
Hey! Sofya Pavlovna, trouble:
Your conversation went late into the night;
Are you deaf? - Alexey Stepanych!
Madam!.. - And fear does not take them!
(Moves away from the door.)
Well, uninvited guest,
Perhaps Father will come in!
I ask you to serve the young lady in love!
(Back to the door.)
Yes, disperse. Morning. What?
(Golo With Sofia)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Everything in the house rose.
Sofia (from her room)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Seventh, eighth, ninth.
Sofia (from the same place)
Lizanka (away from the door)
Oh! Damn Cupid!
And they hear, they don’t want to understand,
Well, why would they take away the shutters?
I'll change the clock, at least I know: there will be a race,
I'll make them play.
(Climbs onto a chair, moves the hand, the clock strikes and plays.)
Phenomenon 2Lisa And Famusov.
Lisa
Famusov
(Stops the hour-long music.)
After all, what a naughty girl you are.
I couldn’t figure out what kind of trouble this was!
Now you hear a flute, now it’s like a piano;
Would it be too early for Sophia??..
Lisa
No, sir, I... just by chance...
Famusov
Just by chance, take notice of you;
So true with intent.
(He presses closer to her and flirts.)
Oh! potion, spoiler.
Lisa
You are a spoiler, these faces suit you!
Famusov
Modest, but nothing but
Mischief and the wind are on your mind.
Lisa
Let me in, you little windbags,
Come to your senses, you are old...
Famusov
Lisa
Well, who will come, where are we going?
Famusov
Who should come here?
After all, Sophia is sleeping?
Lisa
Now I'm taking a nap.
Famusov
Now! And the night?
Lisa
I spent the whole night reading.
Famusov
Look, what whims have developed!
Lisa
Everything is in French, aloud, read while locked.
Famusov
Tell me that it’s not good to spoil her eyes,
And reading is of little use:
She can't sleep from French books,
And the Russians make it hard for me to sleep.
Lisa
I'll report what happens,
Please go; wake me up, I'm afraid.
Famusov
What to wake up? You wind the watch yourself,
You're blasting a symphony throughout the entire block.
Lisa (as loud as possible)
Come on, sir!
Famusov (clamps her mouth)
Have mercy on the way you scream.
Are you going crazy?
Lisa
I'm afraid it won't work out...
Famusov
Lisa
It's time, sir, for you to know that you are not a child;
Girls' morning sleep is so thin;
You creak the door a little, you whisper a little:
They hear everything...
Famusov
You're all lying.
Famusov (hurriedly)
(He sneaks out of the room on tiptoe.)
Lisa (alone)
Phenomenon 3
Gone. Oh! away from the gentlemen;
They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour,
Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.
Lisa, Sofia with a candle behind it Molchalin.
Sofia
What, Lisa, attacked you?
You're making noise...
Lisa
Of course, it’s hard for you to break up?
Having locked yourself until daylight, and it seems like everything is not enough?
Sofia
Ah, it really is dawn!
(Puts out the candle.)
Both light and sadness. How fast the nights are!
Lisa
Push, know that there is no urine from the outside,
Your father came here, I froze;
I spun around in front of him, I don’t remember that I was lying;
Well, what have you become? bow, sir, give it.
Come on, my heart is not in the right place;
Look at your watch, look out the window:
People have been pouring down the streets for a long time;
And in the house there is knocking, walking, sweeping and cleaning.
Sofia
Happy hours are not observed.
Lisa
Don't watch, your power;
And what in return for you, of course, I will get.
Sofia (to Molchalin)
Go; We'll be bored all day long.
Lisa
God be with you, sir; take your hand away.
(Separates them; Molchalin runs into Famusov at the door.)
Phenomenon 4Sofia, Lisa, Molchalin, Famusov.
Famusov
What an opportunity! Molchalin, are you brother?
Molchalin
Famusov
Sofia
He just came in now.
Molchalin
Now back from a walk.
Famusov
Friend. Is it possible for a walk?
Should I choose a nook further away?
And you, madam, almost jumped out of bed,
With a man! with the young one! - Something to do for a girl!
He reads tall tales all night,
And here are the fruits of these books!
And all the Kuznetsky Bridge, and the eternal French,
From there fashion comes to us, both authors and muses:
Destroyers of pockets and hearts!
When the Creator will deliver us
From their hats! caps! and stilettos! and pins!
And book and biscuit shops! -
Sofia
Excuse me, father, my head is spinning;
I can barely catch my breath from fear;
You deigned to run in so quickly,
I was confused.
Famusov
Thank you humbly,
I soon ran to them!
I'm in the way! I scared!
I, Sofya Pavlovna, am upset all day long
There is no rest, I'm rushing around like crazy.
According to the position, the service is a hassle,
One pesters, another, everyone cares about me!
Was I expecting new troubles? to be deceived...
Sofia (through tears)
By whom, father?
Famusov
They will reproach me
That it’s no use I always scold.
Don't cry, I mean it:
Didn't they care about yours?
About education! from the cradle!
Mother died: I knew how to hire
Madame Rosier is a second mother.
I put the old gold woman under your supervision:
She was smart, had a quiet disposition, and rarely had rules.
One thing does not serve her well:
For an extra five hundred rubles a year
She allowed herself to be lured by others.
Yes, the power is not in madame.
No other sample is needed
When your father's example is in your eyes.
Look at me: I don’t boast about my build,
However, he was vigorous and fresh, and lived to see his gray hairs,
Free, widows, I am my own master...
Known for his monastic behavior!..
Lisa
I dare, sir...
Famusov
Be silent!
Terrible century! Don't know what to start!
Everyone was wise beyond their years,
And especially the daughters, and good-natured people themselves.
These languages were given to us!
We take tramps, both into the house and with tickets,
To teach our daughters everything, everything -
And dancing! and singing! and tenderness! and sigh!
It’s as if we are preparing them as wives for buffoons.
What are you, visitor? Why are you here, sir?
I warmed up the rootless one and brought him into my family,
He gave the rank of assessor and took him on as secretary;
Transferred to Moscow through my assistance;
And if it weren’t for me, you would be smoking in Tver.
Sofia
Famusov
Did you get in or did you want to get in?
Why are you together? It can't happen by accident.
Sofia
Famusov
Perhaps all the fuss will fall on me.
At the wrong time my voice alarmed them!
Sofia
In a vague dream, a trifle disturbs;
Tell you a dream: then you will understand.
Famusov
What's the story?
Sofia
Should I tell you?
Famusov
(Sits down.)
Sofia
Let me... see... first
Flowery meadow; and I was looking
Grass
Some, I don’t remember in reality.
Suddenly a nice person, one of those we
We'll see - it's like we've known each other forever,
He appeared here with me; and insinuating and smart,
But timid... You know, who is born in poverty...
Famusov
Oh! Mother, don’t finish the blow!
Anyone who is poor is not a match for you.
Sofia
Then everything disappeared: the meadows and the skies. -
We're in a dark room. To complete the miracle
The floor opened - and you are from there,
Pale as death, and hair on end!
Then the doors opened with thunder
Some are not people or animals,
We were separated - and they tortured the one sitting with me.
It’s like he’s dearer to me than all the treasures,
I want to go to him - you bring with you:
We are accompanied by moans, roars, laughter, and whistling monsters!
He shouts after him!.. -
Awoke. - Someone is talking. -
Your voice was; What, I think, is it so early?
I run here and find you both.
Famusov
Molchalin
Famusov
Molchalin
With papers, sir.
Famusov
Yes! they were missing.
Have mercy that this suddenly fell
Diligence in writing!
(Rises.)
Well, Sonyushka, I will give you peace:
Some dreams are strange, but in reality they are stranger;
You were looking for some herbs,
I came across a friend quickly;
Get rid of the nonsense from your head;
Where there are miracles, there is little stock. -
Go, lie down, go to sleep again.
(Molchalin.)
Let's go sort out the papers.
Molchalin
I only carried them for the report,
What cannot be used without certificates, without others,
There are contradictions, and many things are inappropriate.
Famusov
I'm afraid, sir, I'm mortally alone,
So that a multitude of them do not accumulate;
If you had given it free rein, it would have settled;
And for me, what matters and what doesn’t matter,
My custom is this:
Signed, off your shoulders.
(He leaves with Molchalin and lets him through at the door.)
Phenomenon 5Sofia, Lisa.
Lisa
Well, here's the holiday! Well, here's some fun for you!
However, no, it’s no laughing matter now;
The eyes are dark and the soul is frozen;
Sin is not a problem, rumor is not good.
Sofia
What is the rumor to me? Whoever wants to, judges it that way,
Yes, father will force you to think:
Grouchy, restless, quick,
This has always been the case, but from now on...
You can judge...
Lisa
I’m not judging by stories;
He will ban you; - good is still with me;
Otherwise, God have mercy, at once
Me, Molchalin and everyone out of the yard.
Sofia
Just think how capricious happiness is!
It can be worse, you can get away with it;
When nothing sad comes to mind,
We lost ourselves in music, and time passed so smoothly;
Fate seemed to be protecting us;
No worries, no doubts...
And grief awaits around the corner.
Lisa
That's it, sir, my stupid judgment
You never regret:
But here's the problem.
What better prophet do you need?
I kept repeating: there will be no good in love
Not forever and ever.
Like all Moscow people, your father is like this:
He would like a son-in-law with stars and ranks,
And under the stars, not everyone is rich, between us;
Well, of course, besides
And money to live on, so he could give balls;
Here, for example, Colonel Skalozub:
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general.
Sofia
How cute! and it's fun for me to fear
Listen about the frunt and rows;
He never uttered a smart word, -
I don’t care what goes into the water.
Lisa
Yes, sir, so to speak, he is eloquent, but not very cunning;
But be a military man, be a civilian,
Who is so sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp,
Like Alexander Andreich Chatsky!
Not to confuse you;
It's been a long time, can't turn it back
And I remember...
Sofia
What do you remember? He's nice
He knows how to make everyone laugh;
He chats, jokes, it’s funny to me;
You can share laughter with everyone.
Lisa
But only? as if? - Shedding tears,
I remember, poor thing, how he parted with you. -
Why, sir, are you crying? live laughing...
And he answered: “No wonder, Lisa, I’m crying,
Who knows what I will find when I return?
And how much I might lose!” -
The poor thing seemed to know that in three years...
Sofia
Listen, don’t take unnecessary liberties.
I was very windy, perhaps I acted
And I know, and I’m guilty; but where did it change?
To whom? so that they could reproach with infidelity.
Yes, it’s true that we were brought up and grew up with Chatsky;
The habit of being together every day inseparably
She bound us together with childhood friendship; but after
He moved out, he seemed bored with us,
And he rarely visited our house;
Then he pretended to be in love again,
Demanding and distressed!!..
Sharp, smart, eloquent,
I am especially happy with friends.
So he thought highly of himself -
The desire to wander attacked him.
Oh! if someone loves someone,
Why search for the mind and travel so far?
Lisa
Where is it running? in what areas?
They say he was treated in sour waters,
Not from illness, tea, from boredom - more freely.
Sofia
And, of course, he’s happy where the people are funnier.
The one I love is not like this:
Molchalin is ready to forget himself for others,
The enemy of insolence - always shy, timid
Someone you can spend the whole night with like that!
We are sitting, and the yard has long since turned white,
What do you think? what are you doing?
Lisa
God knows
Madam, is this my business?
Sofia
He will take your hand and press it to your heart,
He will sigh from the depths of his soul,
Not a free word, and so the whole night passes,
Hand in hand, and doesn’t take his eyes off me. -
Laugh! is it possible! what reason did you give
I make you laugh like that!
Lisa
Me, sir?.. your aunt has now come to mind,
How a young Frenchman ran away from her house.
Darling! wanted to bury
Out of frustration, I couldn’t:
I forgot to dye my hair
And three days later she turned gray.
(Continues to laugh.)
Sofia (with sadness)
That's how they'll talk about me later.
Lisa
Phenomenon 6
Forgive me, truly, as God is holy,
I wanted this stupid laugh
Helped to cheer you up a bit.
Sofia, Lisa, Servant, behind him Chatsky.
Servant
Alexander Andreich Chatsky is here to see you.
(Leaves.)
Phenomenon 7Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky.
Chatsky
It's barely light and you're already on your feet! and I am at your feet.
(Kisses your hand passionately.)
Well, kiss me, weren’t you waiting? speak!
Well, for the sake of it? No? Look at my face.
Surprised? but only? here's the welcome!
It was as if no week had passed;
It feels like yesterday together
We are absolutely tired of each other;
Not a hair of love! how good they are!
And meanwhile, I won’t remember, without a soul,
I'm forty-five hours, without squinting my eyes,
More than seven hundred versts flew by - wind, storm;
And I was completely confused, and fell how many times -
And here is the reward for your exploits!
Sofia
Oh! Chatsky, I am very glad to see you.
Chatsky
Are you for it? good morning.
However, who is sincerely happy like that?
It seems to me that this is the last thing,
Chilling people and horses,
I was just amusing myself.
Lisa
Here, sir, if you were outside the doors,
By God, there are not five minutes,
How we remembered you here.
Madam, tell me yourself.
Sofia
Always, not just now. -
You cannot reproach me.
Whoever flashes by will open the door,
While passing through, by chance, from a stranger, from far away -
I have a question, even if I’m a sailor:
Did I meet you somewhere in the mail carriage?
Chatsky
Let's say so.
Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world! -
Oh! My God! Am I really here again?
In Moscow! you! how can we recognize you!
Where is the time? where is that innocent age,
When it used to be a long evening
You and I will appear, disappear here and there,
We play and make noise on chairs and tables.
And here is your father and madam, behind the picket;
We are in a dark corner, and it seems like we are!
Do you remember? Let's be startled that the table will creak,
door…
Sofia
Childishness!
Chatsky
Yes, sir, and now,
At seventeen you blossomed beautifully,
Inimitable, and you know it,
And therefore modest, do not look at the light.
Aren't you in love? please give me an answer
Without thought, complete embarrassment.
Sofia
At least someone will be embarrassed
Quick questions and a curious look...
Chatsky
For mercy's sake, it's not you, why be surprised?
What new will Moscow show me?
Yesterday there was a ball, and tomorrow there will be two.
He made a match - he succeeded, but he missed.
All the same sense, and the same poems in the albums.
Sofia
Persecution of Moscow. What does it mean to see the light!
Where is better?
Chatsky
Where we are not.
Well, what about your father? all of the English club
An ancient, faithful member to the grave?
Has your uncle jumped back his eyelid?
And this one, what’s his name, is he Turkish or Greek?
That little black one, on crane legs,
I don't know what his name is
Wherever you go: here, like here,
In dining rooms and living rooms.
And three of the tabloid faces,
Who have been looking young for half a century?
They have millions of relatives, and with the help of their sisters
They will become related to all of Europe.
What about our sun? our treasure?
On the forehead is written: Theater and Masquerade;
The house is painted with greenery in the form of a grove,
He himself is fat, his artists are skinny.
At the ball, remember, we opened it together
Behind the screens, in one of the more secret rooms,
There was a man hidden and clicking the nightingale,
Singer winter weather summer.
And that consumptive one, your relatives, the enemy of books,
In the scientific committee which settled
And with a cry he demanded oaths,
So that no one knows or learns to read and write?
I am destined to see them again!
Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains?
When you wander, you return home,
And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!
Sofia
I wish I could bring you and my aunt together,
To count everyone you know.
Chatsky
And auntie? all girl, Minerva?
All the maid of honor of Catherine the First?
Is the house full of pupils and mosquitoes?
Oh! Let's move on to education.
That now, just as in ancient times,
The regiments are busy recruiting teachers,
More in number, cheaper in price?
It’s not that they are far off in science;
In Russia, under a great fine,
We are told to recognize everyone
Historian and geographer!
Our mentor, remember his cap, robe,
Index finger, all signs of learning
How our timid minds were disturbed,
As we have been accustomed to believe since early times,
That without the Germans we have no salvation! -
And Guillaume, the Frenchman, blown by the wind?
Is he not married yet?
Sofia
Chatsky
At least on some princess
Pulcheria Andrevna, for example?
Sofia
Dancemaster! is it possible!
Chatsky
Sofia
A mixture of languages?
Chatsky
Yes, two, you can’t live without it.
Sofia
But it’s tricky to tailor one of them like yours.
Chatsky
At least not inflated.
Here's the news! - I'm taking advantage of the moment,
Enlivened by meeting you,
And talkative; aren't there times?
That I am more stupid than Molchalin? Where is he, by the way?
Have you not yet broken the silence of the seal?
There used to be songs where there were new notebooks
He sees and pesters: please write it off.
However, he will reach the known degrees,
After all, nowadays they love speechless.
Sofia (to the side)
Not a man, a snake!
(Loud and forced.)
I want to ask you:
Has it ever happened that you laughed? or sad?
A mistake? did they say good things about anyone?
At least not now, but in childhood, maybe.
Chatsky
When is everything so soft? both tender and immature?
Why so long ago? Here's a good deed for you:
The calls are just ringing
And day and night across the snowy desert,
I rush to you, headlong.
And how do I find you? in some strict rank!
I can endure the cold for half an hour!
The face of the most holy praying mantis!.. -
And yet I love you without memory. -
(A minute's silence.)
Listen, are my words really all caustic words?
And tend to harm someone?
But if so: the mind and heart are not in harmony.
I'm eccentric to another miracle
Once I laugh, then I’ll forget.
Tell me to go into the fire: I’ll go as if for dinner.
Sofia
Phenomenon 8
Yes, good - you will burn, if not?
Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky, Famusov.
Famusov
Here's another one.
Sofia
Ah, father, sleep in hand.
(Leaves.)
Phenomenon 9
Damn dream.
Famusov, Chatsky(looks at the door through which Sofia went out).
Famusov
Well, you threw it away!
I haven’t written two words for three years!
And it suddenly burst out as if from the clouds.
(They hug.)
Great, friend, great, brother, great.
Tell me, tea, you're ready
A meeting of important news?
Sit down, announce it quickly.
(They sit down.)
Chatsky (absentmindedly)
How Sofya Pavlovna has become prettier for you!
Famusov
You young people have nothing else to do,
How to notice girlish beauty:
She said something casually, and you,
I, tea, got carried away with hopes, bewitched.
Chatsky
Oh! no, I’m not spoiled enough by hopes.
Famusov
“A dream in my hand,” she deigned to whisper to me,
So you thought...
Chatsky
I? - Not at all.
Famusov
Who was she dreaming about? what's happened?
Chatsky
I'm not a dream teller.
Famusov
Don't believe her, everything is empty.
Chatsky
I believe my own eyes;
I haven’t seen you in ages, I’ll give you a subscription,
What if it were at least a little like her!
Famusov
He's all his own. Yes, tell me in detail,
Where were you? I've been wandering for so many years!
Where from now?
Chatsky
Now who cares?
I wanted to travel around the world
And he didn’t travel a hundredth part.
(Gets up hastily.)
Sorry; I was in a hurry to see you soon,
Didn't go home. Farewell! In one hour
When I show up, I won’t forget the slightest detail;
You first, then you tell it everywhere.
(In the door.)
How good!
(Leaves.)
Phenomenon 10Famusov (one)
Which of the two?
"Oh! Father, sleep in hand!
And he says it out loud to me!
Well, my fault! What a blessing I gave to the hook!
Molchalin made me doubtful just now.
Now... and halfway out of the fire:
That beggar, that dandy friend;
He is a notorious spendthrift, a tomboy;
What kind of commission, creator,
To be a father to an adult daughter! -
(Leaves.)
End of Act I
Act II
Phenomenon 1Famusov, Servant.
Famusov
Parsley, you are always with new clothes,
With a torn elbow. Get out the calendar;
Read not like a sexton;
And with feeling, with sense, with arrangement.
Just wait. - On a sheet of paper, scribble on a note,
Against next week:
To Praskovya Fedorovna's house
On Tuesday I'm invited to go trout fishing.
How wonderful the light has been created!
Philosophize - your mind will spin;
Either you take care, then it’s lunch:
Eat for three hours, but in three days it won’t cook!
Mark that same day... No, no.
On Thursday I am invited to the funeral.
Oh, the human race! has fallen into oblivion
That everyone should climb there themselves,
In that little box where you can neither stand nor sit.
But who intends to leave the memory on its own
Living a commendable life, here is an example:
The deceased was a venerable chamberlain,
With the key, he knew how to deliver the key to his son;
Rich, and married to a rich woman;
Married children, grandchildren;
Died; everyone remembers him sadly,
Kuzma Petrovich! Peace be upon him! -
What kind of aces live and die in Moscow! -
Write: on Thursday, one to one,
Or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday,
I have to baptize a widow, a doctor's wife.
She didn't give birth, but by calculation
In my opinion: she should give birth.
Ugh, God forgive me! I ate gold five thousand times; one hundred people at your service;
All in orders; I was always traveling in a train;
A century at court, and at what court!
Then it was not the same as now,
He served under the Empress Catherine.
And in those days everyone is important! forty pounds...
Take a bow - they won’t nod at stupid people.
A nobleman in the case - even more so:
Not like anyone else, and he drank and ate differently.
And uncle! what is your prince? what's the count?
Serious look, arrogant disposition.
When do you need to help yourself?
And he bent over:
At the kurtag he happened to step on his feet;
He fell so hard that he almost hit the back of his head;
The old man groaned, his voice hoarse;
He was granted the highest smile;
They deigned to laugh; what about him?
He stood up, straightened up, wanted to bow,
It suddenly fell in a row - on purpose,
And the laughter is worse, and the third time it’s the same.
A? what do you think? in our opinion, he is smart.
He fell painfully, but got up well.
But it happens that who is more often invited to whist?
Who hears a friendly word at court?
Maxim Petrovich! Who knew honor before everyone?
Maxim Petrovich! Joke!
Who promotes you to ranks and gives pensions?
Maxim Petrovich! Yes! You, the current ones, come on!
Chatsky
And sure enough, the world began to grow stupid,
You can say with a sigh;
How to compare and see
The present century and the past:
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe;
As he was famous for, whose neck bent more often;
As not in war, but in peace they took it head on,
They hit the floor without regret!
Who needs it: those are arrogant, they lie in the dust,
And for those who are higher, flattery was woven like lace.
It was an age of obedience and fear,
All under the guise of zeal for the king.
I'm not talking about your uncle;
We will not disturb his ashes:
But in the meantime, who will the hunt take?
Even in the most ardent servility,
Now, to make people laugh,
Bravely sacrifice the back of your head?
And a peer, and an old man
Another, looking at that leap
And crumbling into old skin,
Tea, he said: “Ah!” I wish I could too!
Although there are hunters everywhere to be mean,
Yes, nowadays laughter frightens and keeps shame in check;
Famusov
Perhaps have mercy.
Chatsky
It is not my desire to continue the debate.
Famusov
At least let your soul go to repentance!
Current page: 1 (book has 5 pages in total)
Alexander Griboyedov
WORTH FROM MIND
Comedy in four acts in verse
Characters
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, manager in a government place.
Sofya Pavlovna, his daughter.
Lizanka, maid.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, Famusov’s secretary, living in his house.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky.
Colonel Skalozub, Sergei Sergeevich.
Natalya Dmitrievna, young lady, Platon Mikhailovich, her husband - Gorichi.
Prince Tugoukhovsky And princess, his wife, with six daughters.
Countess-grandmother, Countess-granddaughter- Khryumins.
Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky.
Old woman Khlestova, sister-in-law Famusova.
Repetilov.
Parsley and several talking servants.
Lots of guests of all sorts and their lackeys on their way out.
Famusov's waiters.
Action in Moscow in Famusov's house.
ACT I
Phenomenon 1
The living room, there is a large clock in it, on the right is the door to Sophia’s bedroom, from where you can hear the piano and flute, which then fall silent. Lizanka in the middle of the room he sleeps, hanging from an armchair.
(Morning, the day is just dawning.)
Lizanka
(suddenly wakes up, gets up from the chair, looks around)It's getting light!.. Ah! how quickly the night has passed!
Yesterday I asked to sleep - refusal.
"Waiting for a friend." - You need an eye and an eye,
Don't sleep until you roll out of your chair.
Now I just took a nap,
It’s already day!.. tell them...(Knocks on Sofia's door.)
Gentlemen,
Hey! Sofya Pavlovna, trouble.
Your conversation went on overnight.
Are you deaf? - Alexey Stepanych!
Madam!.. - And fear does not take them!(Moves away from the door.)
Well, uninvited guest,
Perhaps Father will come in!
I ask you to serve the young lady in love!
(Back to the door.)
Yes, disperse. Morning. - What, sir?
Sofia's voice
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Everything in the house rose.
Sofia
(from his room)What time is it now?
Lizanka
Seventh, eighth, ninth.
Sofia
(from the same place)Not true.
Lizanka
(away from the door)Oh! Damn Cupid!
And they hear, they don’t want to understand,
Well, why would they take away the shutters?
I'll change the clock, at least I know: there will be a race,
I'll make them play.
(Climbs onto a chair, moves the hand, the clock strikes and plays.)
Phenomenon 2
Lisa And Famusov.
Lisa
Oh! master!
Famusov
Master, yes.(Stops hour-long music)
After all, what a naughty girl you are.
I couldn’t figure out what kind of trouble this was!
Now you hear a flute, now it’s like a piano;
Would it be too early for Sophia?..
Lisa
No, sir, I... just by chance...
Famusov
Just by chance, take notice of you;
Yes, that's right, with intent.(He presses closer to her and flirts.)
Oh! potion, spoiler.
Lisa
You are a spoiler, these faces suit you!
Famusov
Modest, but nothing but
Mischief and the wind are on your mind.
Lisa
Let me in, you little windbags,
Come to your senses, you are old...
Famusov
Almost.
Lisa
Well, who will come, where are we going?
Famusov
Who should come here?
After all, Sophia is sleeping?
Lisa
Now I'm taking a nap.
Famusov
Now! And the night?
Lisa
I spent the whole night reading.
Famusov
Look, what whims have developed!
Lisa
Everything is in French, aloud, read while locked.
Famusov
Tell me that it’s not good to spoil her eyes,
And reading is of little use:
She can't sleep from French books,
And the Russians make it hard for me to sleep.
Lisa
I'll report what happens,
If you please go, wake me up, I'm afraid.
Famusov
What to wake up? You wind the watch yourself,
You're blasting a symphony throughout the entire block.
Lisa
(as loud as possible)Come on, sir!
Famusov
(covers her mouth)Have mercy on the way you scream.
Are you going crazy?
Lisa
I'm afraid it won't work out...
Famusov
What?
Lisa
It's time, sir, for you to know that you are not a child;
Girls' morning sleep is so thin;
You creak the door a little, you whisper a little:
They hear everything...
Famusov
You're all lying.
Sofia's voice
Hey Lisa!
Famusov
(hurriedly)(He sneaks out of the room on tiptoe.)
Lisa
(one)Gone... Ah! away from the gentlemen;
They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour,
Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.
Phenomenon 3
Lisa, Sofia with a candle behind it Molchalin.
Sofia
What, Lisa, attacked you?
You're making noise...
Lisa
Of course, it’s hard for you to break up?
Having locked yourself until daylight, and it seems like everything is not enough?
Sofia
Ah, it really is dawn!(Puts out the candle.)
Both light and sadness. How fast the nights are!
Lisa
Push, know that there is no urine from the outside,
Your father came here, I froze;
I spun around in front of him, I don’t remember that I was lying;
Well, what have you become? bow, sir, give it.
Come on, my heart is not in the right place;
Look at your watch, look out the window:
People have been pouring down the streets for a long time;
And in the house there is knocking, walking, sweeping and cleaning.
Sofia
Happy hours are not observed.
Lisa
Don't watch, your power;
And what in return for you, of course, I will get.
Sofia
(Molchalin)Go; We'll be bored all day long.
Lisa
God be with you, sir; take your hand away.
(Separates them, Molchalin at the door collides with Famusov.)
Phenomenon 4
Sofia, Lisa, Molchalin, Famusov.
Famusov
What an opportunity! 1
Okaziya- incident, incident. Molchalin, are you brother?
Molchalin
I'm with.
Sofia
He just came in now.
Molchalin
Now back from a walk.
Famusov
Friend, is it possible for a walk?
Should I choose a nook further away?
And you, madam, almost jumped out of bed,
With a man! with the young one! - Something to do for a girl!
He reads tall tales all night,
And here are the fruits of these books!
And that’s all Kuznetsky Bridge, 2
Kuznetsky Bridge- a street in the center of Moscow, where fashionable French shops were concentrated. and the eternal French,
From there fashion comes to us, both authors and muses:
Destroyers of pockets and hearts!
When the Creator will deliver us
From their hats! caps! and stilettos! and pins!
And bookstores and biscuit shops!..
Sofia
Excuse me, father, my head is spinning;
I can barely catch my breath from fear;
You deigned to run in so quickly,
I'm confused...
Famusov
Thank you humbly,
I soon ran to them!
I'm in the way! I scared!
I, Sofya Pavlovna, am upset all day long
There is no rest, I'm rushing around like crazy.
According to the position, the service is a hassle,
One pesters, another, everyone cares about me!
But was I expecting new troubles? to be deceived...
Sofia
(through tears)By whom, father?
Famusov
They will reproach me
That it’s no use I always scold.
Don't cry, I mean it:
Didn't they care about you?
About education! from the cradle!
Mother died: I knew how to hire
Madame Rosier is a second mother.
I put the old gold woman under your supervision:
She was smart, had a quiet disposition, and rarely had rules.
One thing does not serve her well:
For an extra five hundred rubles a year
She allowed herself to be lured by others.
Yes, the power is not in madame.
No other sample is needed
When your father's example is in your eyes.
Look at me: I don’t boast about my build,
However, he was vigorous and fresh, and lived to see his gray hairs;
Free, widows, I am my own master...
Known for his monastic behavior!..
Lisa
I dare, sir...
Famusov
Be silent!
Terrible century! Don't know what to start!
Everyone was smart beyond their years.
And most of all, daughters, and good-natured people themselves,
These languages were given to us!
We take tramps, both into the house and with tickets, 3
We take tramps, both into the house and with tickets...– In addition to home teachers, rich noble families also had visiting teachers, mainly French. After each lesson, they were given “tickets” for which they subsequently received a reward.
To teach our daughters everything, everything -
And dancing! and singing! and tenderness! and sigh!
It’s as if we are preparing them as wives for buffoons.
What are you, visitor? Why are you here, sir?
He warmed up the rootless one and brought him into my family,
He gave the rank of assessor and took him on as secretary;
Transferred to Moscow through my assistance;
And if it weren’t for me, you would be smoking in Tver.
Famusov
Did you get in or did you want to get in?
Why are you together? It can't happen by accident.
Famusov
Perhaps all the fuss will fall on me.
At the wrong time my voice alarmed them!
Sofia
In a vague dream, a trifle disturbs.
Tell you a dream: you will understand then.
Famusov
What's the story?
Sofia
Should I tell you?
Famusov
Well, yes.(Sits down.)
Sofia
Let me... see... first
Flowery meadow; and I was looking
Grass
Some, I don’t remember in reality.
Suddenly a nice person, one of those we
We'll see - it's like we've known each other forever,
He appeared here with me; and insinuating and smart,
But timid... You know, who is born in poverty...
Famusov
Oh! Mother, don’t finish the blow!
Anyone who is poor is not a match for you.
Sofia
Then everything disappeared: the meadows and the skies. -
We are in a dark room. To complete the miracle
The floor opens up - and you are out of there
Pale as death, and hair on end!
Then the doors opened with thunder
Some are not people or animals
We were separated - and they tortured the one sitting with me.
It’s like he’s dearer to me than all the treasures,
I want to go to him - you bring with you:
We are accompanied by groans, roars, laughter, and whistles of monsters!
He shouts after him!..
Awoke. - Someone says -
Your voice was; What, I think, is it so early?
I run here and find you both.
Molchalin
I heard your voice.
Famusov
It's funny.
They were given my voice, and how well
He is heard by everyone, and he calls everyone until dawn!
He was in a hurry to hear my voice, why? - speak.
Molchalin
With papers, sir.
Famusov
Yes! they were missing.
Have mercy that this suddenly fell
Diligence in writing!(Rises.)
Well, Sonyushka, I will give you peace:
Some dreams are strange, but in reality they are stranger;
You were looking for some herbs,
I came across a friend quickly;
Get rid of the nonsense from your head;
Where there are miracles, there is little stock. -
Go, lie down, go to sleep again.(Molchalin.)
Let's go sort out the papers.
Molchalin
I was just carrying them for the report,
What cannot be used without certificates, without others,
There are contradictions, and many things are inappropriate.
Famusov
I'm afraid, sir, I'm mortally afraid of one,
So that a multitude of them do not accumulate;
If you had given it free rein, it would have settled;
And for me, what matters and what doesn’t matter,
My custom is this:
Signed, off your shoulders.
(He leaves with Molchalin and lets him through at the door.)
Phenomenon 5
Sofia, Lisa.
Lisa
Well, here's the holiday! Well, here's some fun for you!
However, no, it’s no laughing matter now;
The eyes are dark and the soul is frozen;
Sin is not a problem, rumor is not good.
Sofia
What is the rumor to me? Whoever wants to, judges it that way,
Yes, father will force you to think:
Grouchy, restless, quick,
This has always been the case, but from now on...
You can judge...
Lisa
I’m not judging by stories;
He will ban you; - good is still with me;
Otherwise, God have mercy, at once
Me, Molchalin and everyone out of the yard.
Sofia
Just think how capricious happiness is!
It can be worse, you can get away with it;
When sad nothingness comes to mind,
We lost ourselves in music, and time passed so smoothly;
Fate seemed to be protecting us;
No worries, no doubts...
And grief awaits around the corner.
Lisa
That's it, sir, my stupid judgment
You never regret:
But here's the problem.
What better prophet do you need?
I kept repeating: there will be no good in love
Not forever and ever.
Like all Moscow people, your father is like this:
He would like a son-in-law with stars and ranks,
And under the stars, not everyone is rich, between us;
Well, of course, then
And money to live on, so he could give balls;
Here, for example, Colonel Skalozub:
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general.
Sofia
How cute! and it's fun for me to fear
Listen about the frunt and rows;
He never uttered a smart word, -
I don’t care what goes into the water.
Lisa
Yes, sir, so to speak, he is talkative, but not very cunning;
But be a military man, be a civilian,
Who is so sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp,
Like Alexander Andreich Chatsky!
Not to confuse you;
It's been a long time, can't turn it back
And I remember...
Sofia
What do you remember? He's nice
He knows how to make everyone laugh;
He chats, jokes, it’s funny to me;
You can share laughter with everyone.
Lisa
But only? as if? - Shedding tears,
I remember, poor thing, how he parted with you. -
“Why, sir, are you crying? live laughing..."
And he responded: “No wonder, Lisa, I’m crying:
Who knows what I will find when I return?
And how much I might lose!”
The poor thing seemed to know that in three years...
Sofia
Listen, don’t take unnecessary liberties.
I was very windy, perhaps I acted
And I know, and I’m guilty; but where did it change?
To whom? so that they could reproach with infidelity.
Yes, it’s true that we were brought up and grew up with Chatsky;
The habit of being together every day inseparably
She bound us together with childhood friendship; but after
He moved out, he seemed bored with us,
And he rarely visited our house;
Then he pretended to be in love again,
Demanding and distressed!!.
Sharp, smart, eloquent,
I'm especially happy with friends,
He thought highly of himself...
The desire to wander attacked him,
Oh! if someone loves someone,
Why search for the mind and travel so far?
Lisa
Where is it running? in what areas?
They say he was treated in sour waters,
Not from illness, tea, from boredom - more freely.
Sofia
And, of course, he’s happy where the people are funnier.
The one I love is not like this:
Molchalin is ready to forget himself for others,
The enemy of insolence is always shy, timid,
Someone you can spend the whole night with like that!
We are sitting, and the yard has long since turned white,
What do you think? what are you doing?
Lisa
God knows
Madam, is this my business?
Sofia
He will take your hand and press it to your heart,
He will sigh from the depths of his soul,
Not a free word, and so the whole night passes,
Hand in hand, and doesn’t take his eyes off me. -
Laugh! is it possible! what reason did you give
Do I make you laugh like this?
Lisa
Me, sir?.. your aunt has now come to mind,
How a young Frenchman ran away from her house,
Darling! wanted to bury
Out of frustration, I couldn’t:
I forgot to dye my hair
And three days later she turned gray.(Continues to laugh.)
Sofia
(with sadness)That's how they'll talk about me later.
Lisa
Forgive me, truly, as God is holy,
I wanted this stupid laugh
Helped to cheer you up a bit.
(They leave.)
Phenomenon 6
Sofia, Lisa, Servant, behind him Chatsky.
Servant
Alexander Andreich Chatsky is here to see you.
(Leaves.)
Phenomenon 7
Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky.
Chatsky
It's barely light on my feet! and I am at your feet.(Kisses your hand passionately.)
Well, kiss me, weren’t you waiting? speak!
Well, for the sake of it? No? Look at my face.
Surprised? but only? Here's the welcome!
It was as if no week had passed;
It feels like yesterday together
We are absolutely tired of each other;
Not a hair of love! how good they are!
And meanwhile, I won’t remember, without a soul,
I'm forty-five hours, without squinting my eyes,
More than seven hundred versts flew by - wind, storm;
And I was completely confused, and fell how many times -
And here is the reward for your exploits!
Sofia
Oh! Chatsky, I am very glad to see you.
Chatsky
Are you for it? good morning.
However, who sincerely rejoices like that?
I think this is the last thing
Chilling people and horses,
I was just amusing myself.
Lisa
Here, sir, if you were outside the doors,
By God, there are not five minutes,
How we remembered you here.
Madam, tell me yourself. -
Sofia
Always, not just now. -
You cannot reproach me.
Whoever flashes by will open the door,
While passing through, by chance, from a stranger, from far away -
I have a question, even if I’m a sailor:
Did I meet you somewhere in the mail carriage?
Chatsky
Let's say so.
Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world! -
Oh! My God! Am I really here again?
In Moscow! you! how can we recognize you!
Where is the time? where is that innocent age,
When it used to be a long evening
You and I will appear, disappear here and there,
We play and make noise on chairs and tables.
And here is your father and madam, behind the picket; 4
Picket- card game.
We are in a dark corner, and it seems like this!
Do you remember? we'll be startled by the creaking of a table or a door...
Sofia
Childishness!
Chatsky
Yes, sir, and now,
At seventeen you blossomed beautifully,
Inimitable, and you know it,
And therefore modest, do not look at the light.
Aren't you in love? please give me an answer
Without thought, complete embarrassment.
Sofia
At least someone will be embarrassed
Quick questions and a curious look...
Chatsky
For mercy's sake, it's not you, why be surprised?
What new will Moscow show me?
Yesterday there was a ball, and tomorrow there will be two.
He made a match - he succeeded, but he missed.
All the same sense, and the same poems in the albums.
Sofia
Persecution of Moscow. What does it mean to see the light!
Where is better?
Chatsky
Where we are not.
Well, what about your father? all English club 5
English club(club) – a privileged noble club.
An ancient, faithful member to the grave?
Has your uncle jumped back his eyelid?
And this one, what’s his name, is he Turkish or Greek?
That little black one, on crane legs,
I don't know what his name is,
Wherever you go: here, like here,
In dining rooms and living rooms.
And three of the tabloid faces,
Who have been looking young for half a century?
They have millions of relatives, and with the help of their sisters
They will become related to all of Europe.
What about our sun? our treasure?
On the forehead is written: Theater and Masquerade;
The house is painted with greenery in the form of a grove, 6
The house is painted with greenery in the form of a grove...– In Griboyedov’s time, it was fashionable to paint the walls of rooms with flowers and trees.
He himself is fat, his artists are skinny.
At the ball, remember, we opened it together
Behind the screens, in one of the more secret rooms,
There was a man hidden and clicking the nightingale,
Singer winter weather summer.
And that consumptive one, your relatives, the enemy of books,
To the scientific committee that settled 7
And that consumptive, your relatives, the enemy of books, who settled in the scientific committee...– The Scientific Committee was established in 1817. He supervised the publication of educational literature and pursued a reactionary policy in educational matters.
And with a cry he demanded oaths,
So that no one knows or learns to read and write?
I am destined to see them again!
Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains?
When you wander, you return home,
8
And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!– inaccurate quote from a poem by G.R. Derzhavin “Harp” (1789):
The good news about our side is dear to us: the Fatherland and the smoke is sweet and pleasant to us...
Sofia
I wish I could bring you and my aunt together,
To count everyone you know.
Chatsky
And auntie? all girl, Minerva? 9
Minerva- in Greek mythology, the goddess of wisdom.
All the maid of honor of Catherine the First?
Is the house full of pupils and mosquitoes?
Oh! Let's move on to education.
That now, just as in ancient times,
The regiments are busy recruiting teachers,
More in number, cheaper in price?
It’s not that they are far off in science;
In Russia, under a great fine,
We are told to recognize everyone
Historian and geographer!
Our mentor, remember his cap, robe,
Index finger, all signs of learning
How our timid minds were disturbed,
As we have been accustomed to believe since early times,
That without the Germans we have no salvation! -
And Guillaume, the Frenchman, blown by the wind?
Is he not married yet?
Sofia
On whom?
Chatsky
At least on some princess,
Pulcheria Andrevna, for example?
Sofia
Dancemaster! is it possible!
Sofia
A mixture of languages?
Chatsky
Yes, two, you can’t live without it.
Lisa
But it’s tricky to tailor one of them like yours.
Chatsky
At least not inflated.
Here's the news! - I'm taking advantage of the moment,
Enlivened by meeting you,
And talkative; isn't there a time,
That I am more stupid than Molchalin? Where is he, by the way?
Haven't you broken the silence of the press yet?
There used to be songs where there were new notebooks
He sees and pesters: please write it off.
However, he will reach the known degrees,
After all, nowadays they love dumb.
Sofia
(to the side)Not a man, a snake!
(Loud and forced.)
I want to ask you:
Has it ever happened that you laughed? or sad?
A mistake? did they say good things about anyone?
At least not now, but in childhood, maybe.
Chatsky
When is everything so soft? both tender and immature?
Why so long ago? Here's a good deed for you:
The calls are just ringing
And day and night across the snowy desert,
I'm rushing to you at breakneck speed.
And how do I find you? in some strict rank!
I can endure the cold for half an hour!
The face of the most holy praying mantis!..
And yet I love you without memory. -(A minute's silence.)
Listen, are my words really all caustic words?
And tend to harm someone?
But if so: the mind and heart are not in harmony.
I'm eccentric to another miracle
Once I laugh, then I forget:
Tell me to go into the fire: I’ll go as if for dinner.
Sofia
Yes, good - you will burn, if not?
Phenomenon 8
Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky, Famusov.
Famusov
Here's another one!
Sofia
Ah, father, sleep in hand.(Leaves.)
Famusov
(following her in a low voice)Damn dream.
Phenomenon 9
Famusov, Chatsky(looks at the door through which Sofia went out).
Famusov
Well, you threw it away!
I haven’t written two words for three years!
And it suddenly burst out, as if from the clouds.(They hug.)
Great, friend, great, brother, great.
Tell me, tea, you're ready
A meeting of important news?
Sit down, announce it quickly.(Sit down)
Chatsky
(absently)How Sofya Pavlovna has become prettier for you!
Famusov
You young people have nothing else to do,
How to notice girlish beauty:
She said something casually, and you,
I am filled with hopes, enchanted.
Chatsky
Oh! no, I’m not spoiled enough by hopes.
Famusov
“A dream in my hand,” she deigned to whisper to me.
So you thought...
Chatsky
I? - Not at all.
Famusov
Who was she dreaming about? what's happened?
Chatsky
I'm not a dream teller.
Famusov
Don't believe her, everything is empty.
Chatsky
I believe my own eyes;
I haven’t met you in ages, I’ll give you a subscription.
So that it would be at least a little like her!
Famusov
He's all his own. Yes, tell me in detail,
Where were you? wandered for so many years!
Where from now?
Chatsky
Now who cares?
I wanted to travel around the whole world,
And he didn’t travel a hundredth part.(Gets up hastily.)
Sorry; I was in a hurry to see you soon,
Didn't go home. Farewell! In one hour
When I show up, I won’t forget the slightest detail;
You first, then you tell it everywhere.(In the door.)
How good!
(Leaves.)
Phenomenon 10
Famusov
(one)Which of the two?
"Oh! Father, sleep in hand!
And he says it out loud to me!
Well, my fault! What a blessing I gave to the hook!
Molchalin soon led me into doubt.
Now... and halfway out of the fire:
That beggar, that dandy friend;
He is a notorious spendthrift, a tomboy;
What kind of commission, creator,
To be a father to an adult daughter!
(Leaves.)
End of Act I
ACT II
Phenomenon 1
Famusov, Servant.
Famusov
Parsley, you are always with new clothes,
With a torn elbow. Get out the calendar;
Don't read like a sexton
And with feeling, with sense, with arrangement.
Just wait. - On a sheet of paper, scribble on a note,
Against next week:
To Praskovya Fedorovna's house
On Tuesday I'm invited to go trout fishing.
How wonderful the light has been created!
Philosophize, your mind will spin;
Either you take care, then it’s lunch:
Eat for three hours, but in three days it won’t cook!
Mark that same day... No, no.
On Thursday I am invited to the funeral.
Oh, the human race! has fallen into oblivion
That everyone should climb there themselves,
In that little box where you can neither stand nor sit.
But who intends to leave the memory on its own
Living a commendable life, here is an example:
The deceased was a venerable chamberlain,
With the key, he knew how to deliver the key to his son; 10
The deceased was a respectable chamberlain, with a key, and he knew how to deliver the key to his son...– Chamberlains (a court rank) wore a golden key on their ceremonial uniforms.
Rich, and married to a rich woman;
Married children, grandchildren;
Died; everyone remembers him sadly.
Kuzma Petrovich! Peace be upon him! -
What kind of aces live and die in Moscow! -
Write: on Thursday, one to one,
Or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday,
I have to baptize a widow, a doctor's wife.
She didn't give birth, but according to calculation
In my opinion: she should give birth...
Phenomenon 2
Famusov, Servant, Chatsky.
Famusov
A! Alexander Andreich, please,
Sit down.
Chatsky
You're busy?
Famusov
(servant)(The servant leaves.)
Yes, we put various things in the book as a keepsake,
It will be forgotten, just look. -At least from time immemorial
No wonder they called him Father.
Chatsky
Let me woo you, what would you tell me?
Famusov
I would say, firstly: don’t be a whim,
Brother, don’t mismanage your property,
And, most importantly, go ahead and serve.
Chatsky
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.
Famusov
That's it, you are all proud!
Would you ask what the fathers did?
We would learn by looking at our elders:
We, for example, or the deceased uncle,
Maxim Petrovich: he’s not on silver,
Ate on gold; one hundred people at your service;
All in orders; drove forever in a train:
A century at court, and at what court!
Then it was not the same as now,
He served under the Empress Catherine.
And in those days everyone is important! forty pounds...
Take a bow - they won’t nod at stupid people. 11
...they won’t nod when they’re stupid– Toupey is an ancient hairstyle: a bun of hair gathered at the back of the head.
Nobleman in case 12
A nobleman in case...- that is, in favor, favorite.– even more so;
Not like anyone else, and he drank and ate differently.
And uncle! what is your prince? what's the count?
Serious look, arrogant disposition.
When do you need to help yourself?
And he bent over:
On the kurtag 13
Kurtag– reception day at the palace. he happened to step on his feet;
He fell so hard that he almost hit the back of his head;
The old man groaned, his voice hoarse;
He was granted the highest smile;
They deigned to laugh; what about him?
He stood up, straightened up, wanted to bow,
It suddenly fell in a row - on purpose,
And the laughter is worse, and the third time it’s the same.
A? what do you think? in our opinion, he is smart.
He fell painfully, but got up well.
But it happened in whist 14
Whist- card game. who is invited more often?
Who hears a friendly word at court?
Maxim Petrovich! Who knew honor before everyone?
Maxim Petrovich! Joke!
Who promotes you to ranks and gives pensions?
Maxim Petrovich. Yes! You, the current ones, come on! -
Chatsky
And sure enough, the world began to grow stupid,
You can say with a sigh;
How to compare and see
The present century and the past:
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe;
As he was famous for, whose neck bent more often;
How not in war, but in peace they took it head on;
They hit the floor without regret!
Who needs it: those are arrogant, they lie in the dust,
And for those who are higher, flattery is like weaving lace.
It was an age of obedience and fear,
All under the guise of zeal for the king.
I'm not talking about your uncle;
We will not disturb his ashes:
But meanwhile, who will the hunt take,
Even in the most ardent servility,
Now, to make people laugh,
Bravely sacrifice the back of your head?
And a peer, and an old man
Another, looking at that leap,
And crumbling into old skin,
Tea, he said: “Ah!” I wish I could too!
Although there are hunters everywhere to be mean,
Yes, nowadays laughter frightens and keeps shame in check;
Chatsky
I stopped...
Famusov
Perhaps have mercy.
Alexander Griboyedov
Woe from mind
Characters
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, manager in a government place.
Sofya Pavlovna, his daughter.
Lizanka, maid.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, Famusov’s secretary, living in his house.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky.
Colonel Skalozub, Sergei Sergeevich.
Natalya Dmitrievna, young lady
Platon Mikhailovich, her husband
Prince Tugoukhovsky And
Princess, his wife, with six daughters.
Countess grandmother
Countess granddaughter
Anton Antonovi h Zagoretsky.
Old Woman Khlestova, sister-in-law of Famusov.
Repetilov.
Parsley and several talking servants.
Lots of guests of all sorts and their lackeys on their way out.
Famusov's waiters.
Action in Moscow in Famusov's house.
Act I
Phenomenon 1
The living room, there is a large clock in it, on the right is the door to Sofia’s bedroom, from where you can hear the piano and flute, which then fall silent.
Lizanka in the middle of the room he sleeps, hanging from an armchair.
(Morning, the day is just dawning.)
Lizanka (suddenly wakes up, gets up from her chair, looks around)
It's getting light!.. Ah! how quickly the night has passed!
Yesterday I asked to sleep - refusal.
"Waiting for a friend." - You need an eye and an eye,
Don't sleep until you roll out of your chair.
Now I just took a nap,
It’s already day!.. tell them...
(Knocks on Sofia's door.)
Gentlemen,
Hey! Sofya Pavlovna, trouble:
Your conversation went late into the night;
Are you deaf? - Alexey Stepanych!
Madam!.. - And fear does not take them!
(Moves away from the door.)
Well, uninvited guest,
Perhaps Father will come in!
I ask you to serve the young lady in love!
(Back to the door.)
Yes, disperse. Morning. What?
(Golo With Sofia)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Everything in the house rose.
Sofia (from her room)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Seventh, eighth, ninth.
Sofia (from the same place)
Not true.
Lizanka (away from the door)
Oh! Damn Cupid!
And they hear, they don’t want to understand,
Well, why would they take away the shutters?
I'll change the clock, at least I know: there will be a race,
I'll make them play.
(Climbs onto a chair, moves the hand, the clock strikes and plays.)
Phenomenon 2
Lisa And Famusov.
Lisa
Oh! master!
Famusov
Master, yes.
(Stops the hour-long music.)
After all, what a naughty girl you are.
I couldn’t figure out what kind of trouble this was!
Now you hear a flute, now it’s like a piano;
Would it be too early for Sophia??..
Lisa
No, sir, I... just by chance...
Famusov
Just by chance, take notice of you;
So true with intent.
(He presses closer to her and flirts.)
Oh! potion, spoiler.
Lisa
You are a spoiler, these faces suit you!
Famusov
Modest, but nothing but
Mischief and the wind are on your mind.
Lisa
Let me in, you little windbags,
Come to your senses, you are old...
Famusov
Lisa
Well, who will come, where are we going?
Famusov
Who should come here?
After all, Sophia is sleeping?
Lisa
Now I'm taking a nap.
Famusov
Now! And the night?
Lisa
I spent the whole night reading.
Famusov
Look, what whims have developed!
Lisa
Everything is in French, aloud, read while locked.
Famusov
Tell me that it’s not good to spoil her eyes,
And reading is of little use:
She can't sleep from French books,
And the Russians make it hard for me to sleep.
Lisa
I'll report what happens,
Please go; wake me up, I'm afraid.
Famusov
What to wake up? You wind the watch yourself,
You're blasting a symphony throughout the entire block.
Lisa (as loud as possible)
Come on, sir!
Famusov (clamps her mouth)
Have mercy on the way you scream.
Are you going crazy?
Lisa
I'm afraid it won't work out...
Famusov
Lisa
It's time, sir, for you to know that you are not a child;
Girls' morning sleep is so thin;
You creak the door a little, you whisper a little:
They hear everything...
Famusov
Hey Lisa!
Famusov (hurriedly)
(He sneaks out of the room on tiptoe.)
Lisa (alone)
Gone. Oh! away from the gentlemen;
They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour,
Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.
Phenomenon 3
Lisa, Sofia with a candle behind it Molchalin.
Sofia
What, Lisa, attacked you?
You're making noise...
Lisa
Of course, it’s hard for you to break up?
Having locked yourself until daylight, and it seems like everything is not enough?
Sofia
Ah, it really is dawn!
(Puts out the candle.)
Both light and sadness. How fast the nights are!
Lisa
Push, know that there is no urine from the outside,
Your father came here, I froze;
I spun around in front of him, I don’t remember that I was lying;
Well, what have you become? bow, sir, give it.
Come on, my heart is not in the right place;
Look at your watch, look out the window:
People have been pouring down the streets for a long time;
And in the house there is knocking, walking, sweeping and cleaning.
Sofia
Happy hours are not observed.
Lisa
Don't watch, your power;
And what in return for you, of course, I will get.
Sofia (to Molchalin)
Go; We'll be bored all day long.
Lisa
God be with you, sir; take your hand away.
(Separates them; Molchalin runs into Famusov at the door.)
Phenomenon 4
Sofia, Lisa, Molchalin, Famusov.Thank you humbly,
I soon ran to them!
I'm in the way! I scared!
I, Sofya Pavlovna, am upset all day long
There is no rest, I'm rushing around like crazy.
According to the position, the service is a hassle,
One pesters, another, everyone cares about me!
Was I expecting new troubles? to be deceived...
Sofia (through tears)
By whom, father?
Famusov
They will reproach me
That it’s no use I always scold.
Don't cry, I mean it:
Didn't they care about yours?
About education! from the cradle!
Mother died: I knew how to hire
Madame Rosier is a second mother.
I put the old gold woman under your supervision:
She was smart, had a quiet disposition, and rarely had rules.
One thing does not serve her well:
For an extra five hundred rubles a year
She allowed herself to be lured by others.
Yes, the power is not in madame.
No other sample is needed
When your father's example is in your eyes.
Look at me: I don’t boast about my build,
However, he was vigorous and fresh, and lived to see his gray hairs,
Free, widows, I am my own master...
Known for his monastic behavior!..
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Alexander Griboyedov
Woe from mind
A Million Torments (Critical Study)
I. A. Goncharov
“Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov. – Monakhov’s benefit performance, November, 1871
The comedy “Woe from Wit” stands out somehow in literature and is distinguished by its youthfulness, freshness and stronger vitality from other works of the word. She is like a hundred-year-old man, around whom everyone, having lived out their time in turn, dies and lies down, and he walks, vigorous and fresh, between the graves of old people and the cradles of new people. And it never occurs to anyone that someday his turn will come.
All celebrities of the first magnitude, of course, were not admitted to the so-called “temple of immortality” for nothing. They all have a lot, and others, like Pushkin, for example, have much more rights to longevity than Griboyedov. They cannot be close and placed one with the other. Pushkin is huge, fruitful, strong, rich. He is for Russian art what Lomonosov is for Russian enlightenment in general. Pushkin took over his entire era, he himself created another, gave birth to schools of artists - he took everything in his era, except what Griboyedov managed to take and what Pushkin did not agree on.
Despite Pushkin's genius, his leading heroes, like the heroes of his century, are already turning pale and becoming a thing of the past. His brilliant creations, continuing to serve as models and sources of art, themselves become history. We have studied Onegin, his time and his environment, weighed and determined the meaning of this type, but we no longer find living traces of this personality in the modern century, although the creation of this type will remain indelible in literature. Even the later heroes of the century, for example, Lermontov's Pechorin, representing, like Onegin, his era, however, turn to stone in immobility, like statues on graves. We are not talking about their more or less bright types who appeared later, who managed to go to the grave during the authors’ lifetime, leaving behind some rights to literary memory.
Called immortal the comedy “The Minor” by Fonvizin - and thoroughly - its lively, hot period lasted about half a century: this is enormous for a work of words. But now there is not a single hint in “The Minor” of living life, and the comedy, having served its purpose, has turned into a historical monument.
“Woe from Wit” appeared before Onegin, Pechorin, outlived them, passed unscathed through the Gogol period, lived these half a century from the time of its appearance and still lives its imperishable life, will survive many more eras and will not lose its vitality.
Why is this, and what is this “Woe from Wit” anyway?
Criticism did not move the comedy from the place it had once occupied, as if at a loss as to where to place it. The oral assessment was ahead of the printed one, just as the play itself was long ahead of the printing. But the literate masses actually appreciated it. Immediately realizing its beauty and not finding any flaws, she tore the manuscript into pieces, into verses, half-verses, spread all the salt and wisdom of the play into colloquial speech, as if she had turned a million into ten-kopeck pieces, and so peppered the conversation with Griboyedov’s sayings that she literally wore out the comedy to the point of satiety. .
But the play passed this test too - and not only did it not become vulgar, but it seemed to become dearer to readers, it found in each of them a patron, a critic and a friend, like Krylov’s fables, which did not lose their literary power, having passed from the book into living speech.
Printed criticism has always treated with more or less severity only the stage performance of the play, touching little on the comedy itself or expressing itself in fragmentary, incomplete and contradictory reviews. It was decided once and for all that the comedy was an exemplary work - and with that everyone made peace.
What should an actor do when thinking about his role in this play? To rely on one’s own judgment alone will not suffice for any pride, and to listen to the talk of public opinion after forty years is impossible without getting lost in petty analysis. It remains, from the countless chorus of opinions expressed and expressed, to dwell on some general conclusions, most often repeated, and build your own assessment plan on them.
Some value in comedy a picture of Moscow morals of a certain era, the creation of living types and their skillful grouping. The whole play seems to be a circle of faces familiar to the reader, and, moreover, as definite and closed as a deck of cards. The faces of Famusov, Molchalin, Skalozub and others were etched into the memory as firmly as kings, jacks and queens in cards, and everyone had a more or less consistent concept of all the faces, except for one - Chatsky. So they are all drawn correctly and strictly, and so they have become familiar to everyone. Only about Chatsky many are perplexed: what is he? It's like he's the fifty-third mysterious card in the deck. If there was little disagreement in the understanding of other people, then about Chatsky, on the contrary, the differences have not ended yet and, perhaps, will not end for a long time.
Others, giving justice to the picture of morals, the fidelity of types, value the more epigrammatic salt of language, living satire - morality, with which the play still, like an inexhaustible well, supplies everyone at every everyday step of life.
But both connoisseurs almost pass by in silence the “comedy” itself, the action, and many even deny it conventional stage movement.
Despite this, however, every time the personnel in the roles changes, both judges go to the theater, and again lively talk arises about the performance of this or that role and about the roles themselves, as if in a new play.
All these various impressions and everyone’s own point of view based on them serve as the best definition of the play, that is, that the comedy “Woe from Wit” is both a picture of morals, and a gallery of living types, and an ever-sharp, searing satire, and together with that is why it is a comedy and, let’s say for ourselves, most of all a comedy – which can hardly be found in other literatures, if we accept the totality of all the other stated conditions. As a painting, it is, without a doubt, enormous. Her canvas captures a long period of Russian life - from Catherine to Emperor Nicholas. The group of twenty faces reflected, like a ray of light in a drop of water, the entire former Moscow, its design, its spirit at that time, its historical moment and morals. And this with such artistic, objective completeness and certainty that only Pushkin and Gogol were given in our country.
In a picture where there is not a single pale spot, not a single extraneous stroke or sound, the viewer and reader feel even now, in our era, among living people. Both the general and the details, all this is not composed, but entirely taken from Moscow living rooms and transferred to the book and to the stage, with all the warmth and with all the “special imprint” of Moscow - from Famusov to the smallest touches, to Prince Tugoukhovsky and to the footman Parsley, without which the picture would not be complete.
However, for us it is not yet a completely completed historical picture: we have not moved away from the era at a sufficient distance for an impassable abyss to lie between it and our time. The coloring was not smoothed out at all; the century has not separated from ours, like a cut-off piece: we have inherited something from there, although the Famusovs, Molchalins, Zagoretskys and others have changed so that they no longer fit into the skin of Griboyedov’s types. The harsh features have become obsolete, of course: no Famusov will now invite Maxim Petrovich to be a jester and hold up Maxim Petrovich as an example, at least not in such a positive and obvious way. Molchalin, even in front of the maid, quietly, now does not confess to those commandments that his father bequeathed to him; such a Skalozub, such a Zagoretsky are impossible even in a distant outback. But as long as there will be a desire for honors apart from merit, as long as there will be masters and hunters to please and “take rewards and live happily,” while gossip, idleness, and emptiness will dominate not as vices, but as elements of social life - so long, of course , the features of the Famusovs, Molchalins and others will flash in modern society, there is no need that that “special imprint” of which Famusov was proud has been erased from Moscow itself.
Universal human models, of course, always remain, although they also turn into types unrecognizable due to temporary changes, so that, to replace the old, artists sometimes have to update, after long periods, the basic features of morals and human nature in general that once appeared in images , clothing them with new flesh and blood in the spirit of their time. Tartuffe, of course, is an eternal type, Falstaff is an eternal character, but both of them, and many still famous similar prototypes of passions, vices, etc., disappearing in the fog of antiquity, almost lost their living image and turned into an idea, into a conventional concept, a common name for vice, and for us they no longer serve as a living lesson, but as a portrait of a historical gallery.
This can especially be attributed to Griboyedov’s comedy. In it, the local coloring is too bright and the designation of the characters themselves is so strictly outlined and furnished with such reality of details that universal human traits can hardly stand out from under social positions, ranks, costumes, etc.
As a picture of modern morals, the comedy “Woe from Wit” was partly an anachronism even when it appeared on the Moscow stage in the thirties. Already Shchepkin, Mochalov, Lvova-Sinetskaya, Lensky, Orlov and Saburov played not from life, but according to fresh legend. And then the sharp strokes began to disappear. Chatsky himself thunders against the “past century” when the comedy was written, and it was written between 1815 and 1820.
How to compare and see (he says)
This century and this century past,
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe,
and about his time he expresses himself like this:
Now everyone breathes more freely,
Scolded your forever I am merciless, -
he says to Famusov.
Consequently, now only a little of the local color remains: passion for rank, sycophancy, emptiness. But with some reforms, the ranks can move away, sycophancy to the extent of servility of the Molchalinsky is already hiding in the darkness, and the poetry of the frunt has given way to a strict and rational direction in military affairs.
But there are still some living traces, and they still prevent the painting from turning into a completed historical bas-relief. This future is still far ahead of her.
Salt, an epigram, a satire, this colloquial verse, it seems, will never die, just like the sharp and caustic, living Russian mind scattered in them, which Griboedov imprisoned, like some kind of spirit wizard, in his castle, and he scatters there with evil with fur. It is impossible to imagine that another, more natural, simpler, more taken from life speech could ever appear. Prose and verse merged here into something inseparable, then, it seems, so that it would be easier to retain them in memory and put into circulation again all the intelligence, humor, jokes and anger of the Russian mind and language collected by the author. This language was given to the author in the same way as a group of these individuals was given, as the main meaning of the comedy was given, as everything was given together, as if it poured out at once, and everything formed an extraordinary comedy - both in the narrow sense, like a stage play, and in the broad sense, like a comedy life. It couldn't have been anything else but a comedy.
Leaving aside the two main aspects of the play, which so clearly speak for themselves and therefore have the majority of admirers - that is, the picture of the era, with a group of living portraits, and the salt of the language - let us first turn to comedy as a stage play, then as comedy in general, to its general meaning, to its main reason in social and literary significance, and finally, let’s talk about its performance on stage.
We have long been accustomed to saying that there is no movement, that is, no action in a play. How is there no movement? There is - living, continuous, from Chatsky’s first appearance on stage to his last word: “Carriage for me, carriage!”
This is a subtle, intelligent, elegant and passionate comedy, in a close, technical sense, true in small psychological details, but almost elusive for the viewer, because it is disguised by the typical faces of the heroes, ingenious drawing, the color of the place, the era, the charm of the language, with all the poetic forces spilled so abundantly in the play. The action, that is, the actual intrigue in it, in front of these capital aspects seems pale, superfluous, almost unnecessary.
Only when driving around in the entryway does the viewer seem to awaken to the unexpected catastrophe that has broken out between the main characters, and suddenly remember the comedy-intrigue. But even then not for long. The enormous, real meaning of comedy is already growing before him.
The main role, of course, is the role of Chatsky, without which there would be no comedy, but, perhaps, there would be a picture of morals.
Griboyedov himself attributed Chatsky's grief to his mind, but Pushkin denied him any mind at all.
One would think that Griboyedov, out of fatherly love for his hero, flattered him in the title, as if warning the reader that his hero is smart, and everyone else around him is not smart.
But Chatsky is not only smarter than all other people, but also positively smart. His speech is full of intelligence and wit.
Both Onegin and Pechorin turned out to be incapable of action, of an active role, although both vaguely understood that everything around them had decayed. They were even “embarrassed”, carried “discontent” within themselves and wandered around like shadows with “yearning laziness.” But, despising the emptiness of life, the idle lordship, they succumbed to it and did not think of either fighting it or fleeing completely. Dissatisfaction and bitterness did not prevent Onegin from being a dandy, “shine” both in the theater, and at a ball, and in a fashionable restaurant, flirting with girls and seriously courting them in marriage, and Pechorin from shining with interesting boredom and plunging his laziness and bitterness between Princess Mary and Beloy, and then pretend to be indifferent to them in front of the stupid Maxim Maksimych: this indifference was considered the quintessence of Don Juanism. Both were languishing, suffocating in their environment and did not know what to want. Onegin tried to read, but yawned and gave up, because he and Pechorin were familiar only with the science of “tender passion,” and for everything else they learned “something and somehow” - and they had nothing to do.
Chatsky, apparently, on the contrary, was seriously preparing for activity. “He writes and translates well,” Famusov says about him, and everyone talks about his high intelligence. He, of course, traveled for good reason, studied, read, apparently got down to work, had relations with ministers and separated - it’s not difficult to guess why:
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening, -
he hints himself. There is no mention of “yearning laziness, idle boredom,” and even less of “tender passion,” as a science and an occupation. He loves seriously, seeing Sophia as his future wife.
Meanwhile, Chatsky had to drink the bitter cup to the bottom - not finding “living sympathy” in anyone, and leaving, taking with him only “a million torments.”
Neither Onegin nor Pechorin would have acted so foolishly in general, especially in the matter of love and matchmaking. But they have already turned pale and turned into stone statues for us, and Chatsky remains and will always remain alive for this “stupidity” of his.
The reader remembers, of course, everything that Chatsky did. Let us slightly trace the course of the play and try to highlight from it the dramatic interest of the comedy, the movement that runs through the entire play, like an invisible but living thread connecting all the parts and faces of the comedy with each other.
Chatsky runs to Sophia, straight from the road carriage, without stopping by his place, passionately kisses her hand, looks into her eyes, rejoices at the date, hoping to find an answer to his old feeling - and does not find it. He was struck by two changes: she became unusually prettier and cooled off towards him - also unusual.
This puzzled him, upset him, and a little irritated him. In vain he tries to sprinkle the salt of humor into his conversation, partly playing with this strength of his, which, of course, was what Sophia liked before when she loved him - partly under the influence of annoyance and disappointment. Everyone gets it, he went through everyone - from Sophia’s father to Molchalin - and with what apt features he draws Moscow - and how many of these poems have gone into living speech! But everything is in vain: tender memories, witticisms - nothing helps. He suffers nothing but coldness from her until, caustically touching Molchalin, he touched her too. She already asks him with hidden anger whether he happened to even accidentally “say kind things about someone,” and disappears at her father’s entrance, betraying Chatsky to the latter almost with her head, that is, declaring him the hero of the dream told to his father before.
From that moment on, a hot duel ensued between her and Chatsky, the most lively action, a comedy in the close sense, in which two people, Molchalin and Liza, take a close part.
Every step of Chatsky, almost every word in the play is closely connected with the play of his feelings for Sophia, irritated by some kind of lie in her actions, which he struggles to unravel until the very end. His whole mind and all his strength go into this struggle: it served as a motive, a reason for irritation, for that “millions of torments”, under the influence of which he could only play the role indicated to him by Griboyedov, a role of much greater, higher significance than unsuccessful love , in a word, the role for which the whole comedy was born.
Chatsky hardly notices Famusov, coldly and absentmindedly answers his question, where have you been? “Do I care now?” - he says and, promising to come again, leaves, saying from what is absorbing him:
How Sofya Pavlovna has become prettier for you!
On his second visit, he starts talking again about Sofya Pavlovna. “Isn’t she sick? did she experience any sadness? - and to such an extent he is overwhelmed and fueled by the feeling of her blossoming beauty and her coldness towards him that when asked by his father if he wants to marry her, he absent-mindedly asks: “What do you want?” And then indifferently, only out of decency, he adds:
Let me woo you, what would you tell me?
And almost without listening to the answer, he sluggishly remarks on the advice to “serve”:
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening!
He came to Moscow and to Famusov, obviously for Sophia and to Sophia alone. He doesn't care about others; Even now he is annoyed that, instead of her, he found only Famusov. “How could she not be here?” - he asks himself, remembering his former youthful love, which “neither distance, nor entertainment, nor change of places” cooled in him - and he is tormented by its coldness.
He is bored and talking with Famusov - and only Famusov’s positive challenge to an argument brings Chatsky out of his concentration.
That's it, you are all proud:
If only we could see what our fathers did
says Famusov and then draws such a crude and ugly picture of servility that Chatsky could not stand it and, in turn, made a parallel between the “past” century and the “present” century.
But his irritation is still restrained: he seems ashamed of himself that he decided to sober Famusov from his concepts; he hastens to insert that “he’s not talking about his uncle,” whom Famusov cited as an example, and even invites the latter to scold his age; finally, he tries in every possible way to hush up the conversation, seeing how Famusov has covered his ears, he calms him down, almost apologizes.
It’s not my desire to prolong arguments, -
he says. He is ready to enter himself again. But he is awakened by Famusov’s unexpected hint about a rumor about Skalozub’s matchmaking.
It’s as if he’s marrying Sofyushka... etc.
Chatsky perked up his ears.
How he fusses, what agility!
“And Sophia? Isn’t there really a groom here?” - he says, and although then he adds:
Ah - tell love the end,
Who will go away for three years! -
but he himself still does not believe it, following the example of all lovers, until this love axiom was played out over him to the end.
Famusov confirms his hint about Skalozub’s marriage, imposing on the latter the thought of “the general’s wife,” and almost obviously invites him to matchmaking.
These hints about marriage aroused Chatsky’s suspicions about the reasons for Sophia’s change towards him. He even agreed to Famusov’s request to give up “false ideas” and remain silent in front of the guest. But the irritation was already crescendo 1
Increasing ( italian.).
And he intervened in the conversation, casually for now, and then, annoyed by Famusov’s awkward praise of his intelligence and so on, he raised his tone and resolved himself with a sharp monologue:
“Who are the judges?” etc. Here another struggle begins, an important and serious one, a whole battle. Here, in a few words, the main motive is heard, as in an opera overture, and the true meaning and purpose of the comedy is hinted at. Both Famusov and Chatsky threw down the gauntlet to each other:
If only we could see what our fathers did
You should learn by looking at your elders! -
Famusov's military cry was heard. Who are these elders and “judges”?
...For the decrepitude of years
Their enmity towards a free life is irreconcilable, -
Chatsky answers and executes -
The meanest features of the past life.
Two camps were formed, or, on the one hand, a whole camp of the Famusovs and the entire brethren of “fathers and elders,” on the other, one ardent and brave fighter, “the enemy of quest.” This is a struggle for life and death, a struggle for existence, as the newest naturalists define the natural succession of generations in the animal world. Famusov wants to be an “ace” - “eat on silver and gold, ride in a train, covered in orders, be rich and see children rich, in ranks, in orders and with a key” - and so on endlessly, and all this just for that , that he signs papers without reading and is afraid of one thing, “so that a lot of them do not accumulate.”
Chatsky strives for a “free life”, “to pursue” science and art and demands “service to the cause, not to individuals,” etc. On whose side is victory? Comedy gives Chatsky only “ a million torments"and leaves, apparently, Famusov and his brethren in the same position in which they were, without saying anything about the consequences of the struggle.
We now know these consequences. They were revealed with the advent of comedy, still in manuscript, in the world - and as an epidemic swept across all of Russia.
Meanwhile, the intrigue of love runs its course, correctly, with subtle psychological fidelity, which in any other play, devoid of other colossal Griboyedov beauties, could make a name for the author.
Sophia's fainting when Molchalin fell from his horse, her sympathy for him, which was so carelessly expressed, Chatsky's new sarcasms about Molchalin - all this complicated the action and formed the main point here, which was called the plot in the poems. Here the dramatic interest was concentrated. Chatsky almost guessed the truth.
Confusion, fainting, haste, anger, fear!
(on the occasion of Molchalin’s fall from his horse) -
You can feel all this
When you lose your only friend,
he says and leaves in great excitement, in the throes of suspicion of the two rivals.
In the third act, he gets to the ball before everyone else, with the goal of “forcing a confession” from Sophia - and with trembling impatience he gets down to business directly with the question: “Who does she love?”
After an evasive answer, she admits that she prefers his “others.” It seems clear. He sees this himself and even says:
And what do I want when everything is decided?
It’s a noose for me, but it’s funny for her!
However, he climbs in, like all lovers, despite his “intelligence,” and is already weakening in front of her indifference. He throws a useless weapon against a happy opponent - a direct attack on him, and condescends to pretend.
Once in my life I'll pretend, -
he decides - in order to “solve the riddle”, but actually in order to hold Sophia when she rushed away at the new arrow fired at Molchalin. This is not pretense, but a concession with which he wants to beg for something that cannot be begged for - love when there is none. In his speech one can already hear a pleading tone, gentle reproaches, complaints:
But does he have that passion, that feeling,
that ardor...
So that, besides you, he has the whole world
Did it seem like dust and vanity?
So that every beat of the heart
Love accelerated towards you... -
he says, and finally:
To make me more indifferent to the loss,
As a person - you, who grew up with you,
As your friend, as your brother,
Let me make sure...
These are already tears. He touches serious strings of feeling -
I can beware of madness
I’m going to go further to catch a cold, get cold... -
he concludes. Then all that was left was to fall to my knees and sob. The remnants of his mind save him from useless humiliation.
Such a masterful scene, expressed in such verses, is hardly represented by any other dramatic work. It is impossible to express a feeling more noblely and soberly, as it was expressed by Chatsky, it is impossible to extricate oneself from a trap more subtly and gracefully, as Sofya Pavlovna extricates oneself. Only Pushkin's scenes of Onegin and Tatyana resemble these subtle features of intelligent natures.
Sophia managed to completely get rid of Chatsky’s new suspicion, but she herself became carried away by her love for Molchalin and almost ruined the whole matter by expressing her love almost openly. To Chatsky’s question:
Why did you get to know him (Molchalin) so briefly?
she answers:
I didn't try! God brought us together.
This is enough to open the eyes of the blind. But Molchalin himself saved her, that is, his insignificance. In her enthusiasm, she hastened to draw his full-length portrait, perhaps in the hope of reconciling not only herself, but also others, even Chatsky, with this love, not noticing how the portrait turned out vulgar:
Look, he gained the friendship of everyone in the house.
Serves under the priest for three years;
He is often pointlessly angry,
And he will disarm him with silence,
From the kindness of his soul he will forgive.
And, by the way,
I could look for fun, -
Not at all, the old people won’t set foot outside the threshold!
We are frolicking and laughing;
He'll sit with them all day, whether he's happy or not
Playing...
Of the most wonderful quality...
He is finally: compliant, modest, quiet,
And there are no wrongdoings in my soul;
He doesn’t cut strangers at random.
That's why I love him!
Chatsky’s doubts were dispelled:
She doesn't respect him!
He's being naughty, she doesn't love him.
She doesn't give a damn about him! -
he consoles himself with each of her praises to Molchalin and then grabs onto Skalozub. But her answer - that he was “not the hero of her novel” - destroyed these doubts too. He leaves her without jealousy, but in thought, saying:
Who will unravel you!
He himself did not believe in the possibility of such rivals, but now he is convinced of it. But his hopes for reciprocity, which had until now passionately worried him, were completely shaken, especially when she did not agree to stay with him under the pretext that “the tongs would get cold,” and then, when she asked him to let him come into her room, with a new barb on Molchalin, she slipped away from him and locked herself in.
He felt that the main goal of returning to Moscow had betrayed him, and he left Sophia with sadness. He, as he later confesses in the entryway, from that moment on only suspects in her coldness towards everything - and after this scene the fainting itself was attributed not “to signs of living passions,” as before, but to “a quirk of spoiled nerves.”
His next scene with Molchalin, which fully describes the latter’s character, confirms Chatsky definitively that Sophia does not love this rival.
The liar laughed at me! -
he notices and goes to meet new faces.
The comedy between him and Sophia ended; The burning irritation of jealousy subsided, and the coldness of hopelessness entered his soul.
All he had to do was leave; but another, lively, lively comedy invades the stage, several new perspectives of Moscow life open up at once, which not only displace Chatsky’s intrigue from the viewer’s memory, but Chatsky himself seems to forget about it and gets in the way of the crowd. New faces group around him and play, each their own role. This is a ball, with all the Moscow atmosphere, with a series of lively stage sketches, in which each group forms its own separate comedy, with a complete outline of the characters, who managed to play out in a few words into a complete action.
Isn’t the Gorichevs playing a complete comedy? This husband, recently still a cheerful and lively man, is now degraded, clothed, as in a robe, in Moscow life, a gentleman, “a boy-husband, a servant-husband, the ideal of Moscow husbands,” according to Chatsky’s apt definition, - under the shoe of a cloying, cutesy , socialite wife, Moscow lady?
And these six princesses and the countess-granddaughter - this whole contingent of brides, “who know how,” according to Famusov, “to dress themselves up with taffeta, marigold and haze,” “singing the top notes and clinging to military people”?
This Khlestova, a remnant of Catherine’s century, with a pug, with a blackamoor girl, - this princess and prince Peter Ilyich - without a word, but such a talking ruin of the past; Zagoretsky, an obvious swindler, escaping from prison in the best living rooms and paying off with servility, like dog diarrhea - and these NNs, and all their talk, and all the content that occupies them!
The influx of these faces is so abundant, their portraits are so vivid that the viewer becomes cold to the intrigue, not having time to catch these quick sketches of new faces and listen to their original conversation.
Chatsky is no longer on stage. But before leaving, he gave abundant food to that main comedy that began with Famusov, in the first act, then with Molchalin - that battle with all of Moscow, where, according to the author’s goals, he came for this.
In brief, even instant meetings with old acquaintances, he managed to arm everyone against him with caustic remarks and sarcasms. He is already vividly affected by all sorts of trifles - and he gives free rein to his tongue. He angered the old woman Khlestova, gave some inappropriate advice to Gorichev, abruptly cut off the countess-granddaughter and again offended Molchalin.
But the cup overflowed. He leaves the back rooms completely upset and, out of old friendship, again goes to Sophia in the crowd, hoping for at least simple sympathy. He confides in her his state of mind:
A million torments! -
he says:
he complains to her, not suspecting what conspiracy has matured against him in the enemy camp.
“A million torments” and “woe!” - this is what he reaped for everything he managed to sow. Until now he had been invincible: his mind mercilessly struck the sore spots of his enemies. Famusov finds nothing but to cover his ears against his logic, and shoots back with commonplaces of the old morality. Molchalin falls silent, the princesses and countesses back away from him, burned by the nettles of his laughter, and his former friend, Sophia, whom he spares alone, dissembles, slips and deals him the main blow on the sly, declaring him at hand, casually, crazy.
CURRENT: Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, government manager Sofya Pavlovna, his daughter. Lizanka, maid. Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, Famusov’s secretary, living in his house. Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. Colonel Skalozub, Sergei Sergeevich. Natalya Dmitrievna, young lady, Platon Mikhailovich, her husband, - Gorichi. Prince Tugoukhovsky and Princess, his wife, with six daughters. Countess grandmother, Countess granddaughter, - Khryumins. Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky. Old Woman Khlestova, sister-in-law of Famusov. G.N. G.D. Repetilov. Parsley and several talking servants. Lots of guests of all sorts and their lackeys on their way out. Famusov's waiters.
Actions of a comedy in verse "Woe from Wit"
- Action 1
- Act 2
- Act 3
- Act 4
- Notes
Action 1
Phenomenon 1
The living room, there is a large clock in it, on the right is the door to Sofia’s bedroom, from where you can hear the piano and flute, which then fall silent. Lizanka in the middle of the room he sleeps, hanging from an armchair. (Morning, the day is just dawning)
Lizanka(suddenly wakes up, gets up from the chair, looks around)
It's getting light!.. Ah! how quickly the night has passed! Yesterday I asked to sleep - refusal, “We are waiting for a friend.” - You need an eye and an eye, Don't sleep until you roll out of your chair. Now I just took a nap, It’s already day!.. tell them...
(Knocks on Sofia's door.)
Gentlemen, Hey! Sofya Pavlovna, trouble. Your conversation went on overnight; Are you deaf? - Alexey Stepanych! Madam!..- And fear does not take them!
(Moves away from the door.)
Well, an uninvited guest, perhaps the priest will come in! I ask you to serve the young lady in love!
(Back to the door)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Everything in the house rose.
Sofia(from his room)
What time is it now?
Lizanka
Seventh, eighth, ninth.
Sofia(from the same place)
Not true.
Lizanka(away from the door)
Oh! cupid * damned! And they hear, they don’t want to understand, so why would they take away the shutters? I'll change the clock, even though I know there will be a race, I'll make them play.
(Climbs onto a chair, moves the hand, the clock strikes and plays.)
Phenomenon 2
Lisa And Famusov.
Lisa
Oh! master!
Famusov
Master, yes.
(Stops hour-long music)
After all, what a naughty girl you are. I couldn’t figure out what kind of trouble this was! Now you hear a flute, now it’s like a piano; Would it be too early for Sophia??
Lisa
No, sir, I... just by chance...
Famusov
Just by chance, take notice of you; Yes, that's right, with intent.
(He presses closer to her and flirts)
Oh! potion, * pampered girl.
Lisa
You are a spoiler, these faces suit you!
Famusov
Modest, but nothing but pranks and the wind on her mind.
Lisa
Let me go, you flighty people, come to your senses, you are old people...
Famusov
Lisa
Well, who will come, where are we going?
Famusov
Who should come here? After all, Sophia is sleeping?
Lisa
Now I'm taking a nap.
Famusov
Now! And the night?
Lisa
I spent the whole night reading.
Famusov
Look, what whims have developed!
Lisa
Everything is in French, out loud, reads while locked.
Famusov
Tell me that it’s not good for her to spoil her eyes, And there’s no great use in reading: French books make her sleepless, And Russian books make it painful for me to sleep.
Lisa
I’ll report back when he gets up. Please go, wake me up, I’m afraid.
Famusov
What to wake up? You wind the clock yourself, you sound a symphony throughout the whole block.
Lisa(as loud as possible)
Come on, sir!
Famusov(covers her mouth)
Have mercy on the way you scream. Are you going crazy?
Lisa
I'm afraid it won't work out...
Famusov
Lisa
It's time, sir, for you to know that you are not a child; Girls' morning sleep is so thin; You creak the door a little, you whisper a little: Everyone can hear...
Famusov
Famusov(hurriedly)
(He sneaks out of the room on tiptoe.)
Lisa(one)
Gone... Ah! away from the gentlemen; They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour, Pass us by more than all sorrows, And the lordly anger, and the lordly love.
Phenomenon 3
Lisa, Sofia with a candle behind it Molchalin.
Sofia
What, Lisa, attacked you? You're making noise...
Lisa
Of course, it’s hard for you to break up? Locked up until daylight, and it seems like everything is not enough?
Sofia
Ah, it really is dawn!
(Puts out the candle.)
Both light and sadness. How fast the nights are!
Lisa
Push, know, there is no urine from the side, your father came here, I froze; I spun around in front of him, I don’t remember that I was lying; Well, what have you become? bow, sir, give it. Come on, my heart is not in the right place; Look at your watch, look out the window: People have been pouring down the streets for a long time; And in the house there is knocking, walking, sweeping and cleaning.
Sofia
Happy hours are not observed.
Lisa
Don't watch, your power; And what in return for you, of course, I will get.
Sofia(Molchalin)
Go; We'll be bored all day long.
Lisa
God be with you, sir; take your hand away.
(Separates them; Molchalin runs into Famusov at the door.)
Phenomenon 4
Sofia, Lisa, Molchalin, Famusov.
Famusov
What an opportunity! * Molchalin, are you, brother?
Molchalin
Famusov
Why here? and at this hour? And Sophia!.. Hello, Sophia, why are you up so early! A? for what concern? And how did God bring you together at the wrong time?
Sofia
He just came in now.
Molchalin
Now back from a walk.
Famusov
Friend. Is it possible to choose a nook further away for walks? And you, madam, almost jumped out of bed, With a man! with the young one! - Something to do for a girl! He reads fables all night, and these are the fruits of these books! And all the Kuznetsky Most, * and the eternal French, From there fashion comes to us, and authors, and muses: Destroyers of pockets and hearts! When will the creator deliver us from their hats! caps! and stilettos! and pins! And bookstores and biscuit shops!..
Sofia
Excuse me, father, my head is spinning; I can barely catch my breath from fright; You deigned to run in so quickly, I was confused...
Famusov
I humbly thank you, I soon ran to them! I'm in the way! I scared! I, Sofya Pavlovna, am upset myself, the whole day there is no rest, I rush about like mad. According to the position, the service is a hassle, One pesters, the other, everyone cares about me! But was I expecting new troubles? to be deceived...
Sofia
By whom, father?
Famusov
They will reproach me for always reproaching me to no avail. Don’t cry, I mean it: Don’t you care about your upbringing! from the cradle! Mother died: I knew how to hire a second mother to Madame Rosier. He put the old golden woman under your supervision: She was smart, had a quiet disposition, and rarely had rules. One thing does not serve her well: For an extra five hundred rubles a year, she allowed herself to be lured by others. Yes, the power is not in madame. There is no need for another example, When the example of the father is in the eyes. Look at me: I don’t boast about my build; However, I am vigorous and fresh, and lived to see my gray hairs, Free, widowed, I am my own master... I am known for my monastic behavior!..
Lisa
I dare, sir...
Famusov
Be silent! Terrible century! Don't know what to start! Everyone was smart beyond their years. And especially the daughters, and good-natured people themselves. These languages were given to us! We take tramps, * both into the house and on tickets, * So that we can teach our daughters everything, everything - And dancing! and foam! and tenderness! and sigh! It’s as if we are preparing them as wives for buffoons. * You, visitor, what? Why are you here, sir? He warmed up Bezrodny and brought him into my family, gave him the rank of assessor * and took him as secretary; Transferred to Moscow through my assistance; And if it weren’t for me, you would be smoking in Tver.
Sofia
I can’t explain your anger in any way. He lives in the house here, what a great misfortune! I walked into the room and ended up in another.
Famusov
Did you get in or did you want to get in? Why are you together? It can't happen by accident.
Sofia
Here, however, is the whole point: How recently you and Liza were here, your voice frightened me extremely, and I rushed here as fast as I could...
Famusov
Perhaps all the fuss will fall on me. At the wrong time my voice alarmed them!
Sofia
In a vague dream, a trifle disturbs; Tell you a dream: then you will understand.
Famusov
What's the story?
Sofia
Should I tell you?
Famusov
(Sits down.)
Sofia
Let me... see... first the Flowery Meadow; and I was looking for some kind of Grass, I don’t remember in reality. Suddenly, a dear man, one of those whom we will see - as if we had known each other for centuries, appeared here with me; and insinuating and smart, But timid... You know who was born in poverty...
Famusov
Oh! Mother, don’t finish the blow! Anyone who is poor is not a match for you.
Sofia
Then everything disappeared: the meadows and the skies. - We're in a dark room. To complete the miracle, the floor opened up - and you are from there, Pale as death, with your hair on end! Then the doors opened with thunder. Some people, neither people nor animals, separated us - and tormented the one sitting with me. It’s as if he is dearer to me than all the treasures, I want to go to him - you drag him with you: We are seen off by the moaning, roaring, laughter, whistling of monsters! He shouts after him!.. - I woke up. - Someone is speaking, - your voice was; what, I think it's so early? I run here and find you both.
Famusov
Yes, it's a bad dream, I see. Everything is there, if there is no deception: Devils and love, fears and flowers. Well, my sir, what about you?
Famusov
Molchalin
With papers, sir.
Famusov
Yes! they were missing. Have mercy on the sudden zeal for writing!
Well, Sonyushka, I will give you peace: Sometimes dreams are strange, but in reality it is stranger; You were looking for some herbs for yourself, You quickly came across a friend; Get rid of the nonsense from your head; Where there are miracles, there is little stock. - Go, lie down, go to sleep again.
(Molchalin)
Let's go sort out the papers.
Molchalin
I only carried them for the report, That it cannot be used without certificates, without others, There are contradictions, and much is not practical.
Famusov
I am afraid, sir, I am mortally afraid of one, so that many of them do not accumulate; If you had given it free rein, it would have settled; But for me, whatever it is, whatever it isn’t, my custom is this: Signed, off your shoulders.
(He leaves with Molchalin and lets him through at the door.)
Phenomenon 5
Sofia, Lisa.
Lisa
Well, here's the holiday! Well, here's some fun for you! However, no, it’s no laughing matter now; The eyes are dark and the soul is frozen; Sin is not a problem, rumor is not good.
Sofia
What do I need rumors? Whoever wants to, judges so, Yes, the priest will force you to think: Grouchy, restless, quick, Always like this, and from now on... You can judge...
Lisa
I’m not judging by stories; He forbids you, - good is still with me; Otherwise, God have mercy, get Me, Molchalin and everyone out of the yard at once.
Sofia
Just think how capricious happiness is! It can be worse, you can get away with it; When sad nothingness comes to mind, we forget ourselves about the music, and time passes so smoothly; Fate seemed to be protecting us; No worries, no doubts... And grief awaits around the corner.
Lisa
That's it, sir, you never favor my stupid judgment: But here's the problem. What better prophet do you need? I kept repeating: there will be no good in this love, Not forever and ever. Like all Moscow people, your father is like this: He would like a son-in-law with stars, but with ranks, And with the stars, not everyone is rich, between us; Well, of course, that would include money so he could live, so he could give balls; Here, for example, Colonel Skalozub: And the golden bag, and aims to become a general.
Sofia
How cute! and it’s fun for me to hear about the frunt * and the rows; He hasn’t uttered a smart word for a long time, - I don’t care what’s for him, what’s in the water.
Lisa
Yes, sir, so to speak, he is talkative, but not very cunning; But be a military man, be a civilian, * Who is so sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp, Like Alexander Andreich Chatsky! Not to confuse you; It’s been a long time, I can’t turn it back, But I remember...
Sofia
What do you remember? He knows how to make everyone laugh; He chats, jokes, it’s funny to me; You can share laughter with everyone.
Lisa
But only? as if? - I shed tears, I remember, poor man, how he parted with you. - Why, sir, are you crying? live laughing... And he answered: “No wonder, Lisa, I’m crying: Who knows what I’ll find when I return? And how much I might lose!” The poor thing seemed to know that in three years...
Sofia
Listen, don’t take unnecessary liberties. I acted very carelessly, perhaps, And I know, and I’m guilty; but where did it change? To whom? so that they could reproach with infidelity. Yes, it’s true, we were brought up with Chatsky, we grew up: The habit of being together every day inseparably bound us with childhood friendship; but then He moved out, he seemed bored with us, and rarely visited our house; Then again he pretended to be in love, demanding and distressed!!. Sharp, smart, eloquent, Especially happy with friends, He thought highly of himself... The desire to wander attacked him, Ah! If someone loves someone, Why bother searching and traveling so far?
Lisa
Where is it running? in what areas? He was treated, they say, in sour waters, * Not from illness, tea, from boredom - more freely.
Sofia
And, of course, he’s happy where the people are funnier. The one I love is not like that: Molchalin, ready to forget himself for others, Enemy of insolence, - always shyly, timidly Kissing the night with anyone you can spend like that! We are sitting, and the yard has long since turned white. What do you think? what are you doing?
Lisa
God knows, Madam, is this my business?
Sofia
He will take a hand, press it to the heart, sigh from the depths of his soul, not a free word, and so the whole night passes, hand in hand, and does not take his eyes off me. - You're laughing! is it possible! What reason did I give you to laugh like that!
Lisa
Me, sir? your aunt now comes to mind, How a young Frenchman ran away from her house. Darling! I wanted to bury my annoyance, but I couldn’t: I forgot to blacken my hair, and three days later I turned gray.
(Continues to laugh.)
Sofia(with sadness)
That's how they'll talk about me later.
Lisa
Forgive me, really, as God is holy, I wanted this stupid laughter to help cheer you up a little.
Phenomenon 6
Sofia, Lisa, servant, behind him Chatsky.
Servant
Alexander Andreich Chatsky is here to see you.
Phenomenon 7
Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky.
Chatsky
It's barely light on my feet! and I am at your feet.
(Kisses your hand passionately.)
Well, kiss me, weren’t you waiting? speak! Well, for the sake of it? * No? Look at my face. Surprised? but only? here's the welcome! It was as if no week had passed; It’s as if yesterday we were both tired of each other; Not a hair of love! how good they are! And meanwhile, I don’t remember, without a soul, I spent forty-five hours, without squinting my eyes in a moment, more than seven hundred versts flew by - the wind, the storm; And he was completely confused, and fell how many times - And here is the reward for his exploits!
Sofia
Oh! Chatsky, I am very glad to see you.
Chatsky
Are you for it? good morning. However, who is sincerely happy like that? It seems to me that in the end I was chilling people and horses, I was just amusing myself.
Lisa
Now, sir, if you were outside the doors, By God, it’s not five minutes since we remembered you here. Madam, tell me yourself.
Sofia
Always, not just now. - You cannot reproach me. Who flashes by, opens the door, Passing, by chance, from a stranger, from afar - I ask a question, even if I were a sailor: Did I meet you somewhere in the mail carriage?
Chatsky
Let's say so. Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world! - Ah! My God! Am I really here again, in Moscow! you! how can we recognize you! Where is the time? where is that innocent age, When, on a long evening, you and I would appear, disappear here and there, play and make noise on chairs and tables. And here is your father and madam, behind the picket; * We are in a dark corner, and it seems that we are in this! Do you remember? we'll be startled by the creaking of a table or a door...
Sofia
Childishness!
Chatsky
Yes, sir, and now, at the age of seventeen, you have blossomed charmingly, inimitably, and you know this, and therefore are modest, do not look at the light. Aren't you in love? I ask you to give me an answer, Without thinking, I am completely embarrassed.
Sofia
Yes, at least someone will be confused by quick questions and a curious look...
Chatsky
For mercy's sake, it's not you, why be surprised? What new will Moscow show me? Yesterday there was a ball, and tomorrow there will be two. He made a match - he succeeded, but he missed. All the same meaning, * and the same poems in the albums.
Sofia
Persecution of Moscow. What does it mean to see the light! Where is better?
Chatsky
Where we are not. Well, what about your father? all the English club An ancient, faithful member to the grave? Has your uncle jumped back his eyelid? And this one, what’s his name, is he Turkish or Greek? That dark little one, on the legs of a crane, I don’t know what his name is, Wherever you go: right there, in the dining rooms and in the living rooms. And three of the tabloid personalities, * Who have been looking young for half a century? They have millions of relatives, and with the help of their sisters they will become related throughout Europe. What about our sun? our treasure? On the forehead is written: Theater and Masquerade; * The house is painted with greenery in the form of a grove, He himself is fat, his artists are skinny. At the ball, remember, the two of us discovered Behind the screens, in one of the more secret rooms, There was a man hidden and clicking a nightingale, A singer of winter and summer weather. And that consumptive, your kin, the enemy of books, who settled in the academic committee * and screamed and demanded oaths, so that no one knew or learned to read and write? I am destined to see them again! Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains? When you wander, you return home, And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!
Sofia
I wish I could bring you and my aunt together, so that I could count all my acquaintances.
Chatsky
And auntie? all girl, Minerva? * All maid of honor * Catherine the First? Is the house full of pupils and mosquitoes? Oh! Let's move on to education. That now, just as in ancient times, they are trying to recruit regiments of teachers, in larger numbers, at a cheaper price? It’s not that they are far off in science; In Russia, under a great fine, We are ordered to recognize everyone as a Historian and Geographer! Our mentor, * remember his cap, his robe, his index finger, all the signs of learning How our timid ones disturbed our minds, How from an early time we were accustomed to believe, That without the Germans there is no salvation for us! And Guillaume, the Frenchman, blown by the wind? Is he not married yet?
Sofia
Chatsky
At least on some princess Pulcheria Andrevna, for example?
Sofia
Dancemaster! is it possible!
Chatsky
Well, he is a gentleman. We will be required to be with property and in rank, And Guillaume!.. - What is the tone here today at congresses, at large ones, on parish holidays? A mixture of languages still prevails: French with Nizhny Novgorod?
Sofia
A mixture of languages?
Chatsky
Yes, two, you can’t live without it.
Sofia
But it’s tricky to tailor one of them like yours.
Chatsky
At least not inflated. Here's the news! - I’m taking advantage of the moment, I’m lively and talkative due to my meeting with you; But isn’t there a time when I’m dumber than Molchalin? Where is he, by the way? Have you not yet broken the silence of the seal? There were songs where he saw a new notebook and pestered: please write it off. However, he will reach the known levels, Because nowadays they love the dumb.
Sofia
Not a man, a snake!
(Loud and forced.)
I want to ask you: Have you ever laughed? or sad? A mistake? did they say good things about anyone? At least not now, but in childhood, maybe.
Chatsky
When is everything so soft? both tender and immature? Why so long ago? Here's a good deed for you: The bells have just rattled And day and night through the snowy desert, I hasten to you, headlong. And how do I find you? in some strict rank! I can endure the cold for half an hour! The face of the most holy praying mantis!.. - And yet I love you without memory.
(A minute's silence.)
Listen, are my words really all caustic words? And tend to harm someone? But if so: the mind and heart are not in harmony. I am an eccentric of another miracle. Once I laugh, then I forget: Tell me to go into the fire: I’ll go like I’m going to dinner.
Sofia
Yes, okay - will you burn, if not?
Phenomenon 8
Sofia, Lisa, Chatsky, Famusov.
Famusov
Here's another one!
Sofia
Ah, father, sleep in hand.
Damn dream.
Phenomenon 9
Famusov, Chatsky(looks at the door through which Sofia came out)
Famusov
Well, you threw it away! I haven’t written two words for three years! And it suddenly burst out as if from the clouds.
(They hug.)
Great, friend, great, brother, great. Tell me, is your tea ready? Any important news? Sit down, announce it quickly.
(They sit down.)
Chatsky(absently)
How Sofya Pavlovna has become prettier for you!
Famusov
You, young people, have nothing else to do, How to notice girlish beauties: She said something casually, and you, I am tea, were carried away with hopes, bewitched.
Chatsky
Oh! No; I'm not spoiled enough by hopes.
Famusov
“A dream in my hand” - she deigned to whisper to me, So you’ve got it in mind...
Chatsky
I? - Not at all.
Famusov
Who was she dreaming about? what's happened?
Chatsky
I'm not a dream teller.
Famusov
Don't believe her, everything is empty.
Chatsky
I believe my own eyes; I haven’t met you in ages, I’ll give you a subscription, so that it’s at least a little like her!
Famusov
He's all his own. Yes, tell me in detail, Where were you? I've been wandering for so many years! Where from now?
Chatsky
Now who cares? I wanted to travel around the whole world, but I didn’t travel a hundredth part.
(Gets up hastily.)
Sorry; I was in a hurry to see you as soon as possible, I didn’t stop by home. Farewell! I’ll appear in an hour, I won’t forget the slightest detail; You first, then you tell it everywhere.
(In the door.)
How good!
Phenomenon 10
Famusov(one) Which of the two? "Oh! Father, sleep in hand! And he says it out loud to me! Well, my fault! What a blessing I gave to the hook! Molchalin made me doubtful. Now... yes, halfway out of the fire: That beggar, that dandy friend; A notorious * spendthrift, a tomboy, What a commission, * Creator, To be the father of an adult daughter!
Act 2
Phenomenon 1
Famusov, servant.
Famusov
Parsley, you are always wearing new clothes, With a torn elbow. Get out the calendar; Read not like a sexton, * But with feeling, with sense, with arrangement. Just wait. - On a piece of paper, write on a note, Against the next week: To Praskovya Fedorovna's house On Tuesday I am invited to go trout. How wonderful the light has been created! Philosophize - your mind will spin; First you take care, then it’s lunch: You eat for three hours, but in three days it won’t be cooked! Mark that same day... No, no. On Thursday I am invited to the funeral. Oh, the human race! It has fallen into oblivion, That everyone must climb there himself, Into that little chest, where you can neither stand nor sit. But whoever intends to leave a memory of himself with a commendable life, here is an example: The deceased was a respectable chamberlain, With a key, and he knew how to deliver the key to his son; Rich, and married to a rich woman; Married children, grandchildren; Died; everyone remembers him sadly. Kuzma Petrovich! Peace be upon him! - What kind of aces live and die in Moscow! - Write: on Thursday, one thing after another, or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday, I have to baptize at the widow's, at the doctor's. She didn’t give birth, but according to calculations, in my opinion: she should give birth...
Phenomenon 2
Famusov, servant, Chatsky.
Famusov
A! Alexander Andreich, please, sit down.
Chatsky
You're busy?
Famusov(servant)
(The servant leaves.)
Yes, we put various things in the book as a keepsake, It will be forgotten, just look at it.
Chatsky
Somehow you haven’t become cheerful; Tell me why? Is my arrival at the wrong time? What kind of Sofia Pavlovna did sadness happen? There is a bustle in your face and in your movements.
Famusov
Oh! Father, I found a riddle: I’m not happy!.. At my age, it’s not possible for me to start squatting!
Chatsky
Nobody invites you; I just asked two words about Sofya Pavlovna: perhaps she is unwell?
Famusov
Ugh, Lord forgive me! Says the same thing five thousand times! Either Sofya Pavlovna is not more beautiful in the world, or Sofya Pavlovna is sick. Tell me, did you like her? Searched the light; don't you want to get married?
Chatsky
What do you need?
Famusov
It would not be a bad idea to ask me, After all, I am somewhat akin to her; At least from time immemorial * It was not for nothing that he was called Father.
Chatsky
Let me woo you, what would you tell me?
Famusov
I would say, firstly: don’t be a whim, don’t mismanage your property, brother, and, most importantly, do some service.
Chatsky
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.
Famusov
That's it, you are all proud! Would you ask what the fathers did? We would learn from our elders by looking: We, for example, or the deceased uncle, Maxim Petrovich: he didn’t eat silver, he ate gold; one hundred people at your service; All in orders; I was always traveling in a train; * A century at court, and at what court! Then it was not like now, I served Catherine under the empress. And in those days everyone is important! at forty poods... Take a bow - we’re getting dumber * they won’t nod. The nobleman in the case * - all the more so, Not like the other, and drank and ate differently. And uncle! what is your prince? what's the count? Serious look, arrogant disposition. When it is necessary to serve, And he bent over: On the kurtag * he happened to step on his feet; He fell so hard that he almost hit the back of his head; The old man groaned, his voice hoarse; He was granted the highest smile; They deigned to laugh; what about him? He stood up, straightened up, wanted to bow, Suddenly a row fell - on purpose, And the laughter was even louder, and the third time it was the same. A? what do you think? in our opinion, he is smart. He fell painfully, but got up well. But it happened that in whist * who is invited more often? Who hears a friendly word at court? Maxim Petrovich! Who knew honor before everyone? Maxim Petrovich! Joke! Who promotes you to ranks and gives pensions? Maxim Petrovich. Yes! You current people are nootka!
Chatsky
And sure enough, the world began to grow stupid, You can say with a sigh; How to compare and see The present century and the past: The legend is fresh, but hard to believe, Just as he was famous, whose neck often bent; As not in war, but in peace, they took it with their foreheads, They knocked on the floor without regret! For those who need it, they are arrogant, they lie in the dust, And for those who are higher, they wove flattery like lace. It was an age of obedience and fear, all under the guise of zeal for the king. I'm not talking about your uncle; We will not disturb his ashes: But meanwhile, who will the hunt take, Even in the most ardent servility, Now, in order to make people laugh, Bravely sacrifice the back of the head? And the peer, and the old man Other, looking at that leap, And collapsing in shabby skin, Tea said: “Ax! If only I could too!” Although there are hunters everywhere to be mean, But today laughter frightens and keeps shame in check; No wonder the sovereigns favor them sparingly.
Famusov
Oh! My God! he's a carbonari! *
Chatsky
No, the world is not like that these days.
Famusov
A dangerous person!
Chatsky
Everyone breathes more freely and is in no hurry to fit into the regiment of jesters.
Famusov
What does he say? and speaks as he writes!
Chatsky
Patrons yawn at the ceiling, show up to be silent, shuffle around, have lunch, place a chair, raise a scarf.
Famusov
He wants to preach freedom!
Chatsky
Who travels, who lives in the village...
Famusov
Yes, he does not recognize the authorities!
Chatsky
Who serves the cause and not the individuals...
Famusov
I would strictly forbid these gentlemen to approach the capitals for a shot.
Chatsky
I will finally give you some rest...
Famusov
I have no patience, it’s annoying.
Chatsky
I scolded your age mercilessly, I leave it to you