On Thursday, May 18, the network released the first issue of the new author's show of the Russian science fiction writer Konstantin Obraztsov ("Hammer of Witches", "Red Chains", "The Unified Theory of Everything") - "Exemplary Reading". Within the framework of the project, the author analyzes classical works of literature, explaining their connection with historical events. The analysis of the most striking moments of the texts is complemented by short choreographic productions and animation inserts that focus the viewer's attention on the necessary details.
Each episode of the show will be devoted to a separate work and its analysis with detailed explanations and interpretations in terms of cultural code, social overtones and value system.
The first issue of the "Exemplary Reading" is devoted to the "Song of the Nibelungen" and its impact on the formation of the ideology of the Third Reich and the thinking of German society at the beginning of the XX century.
Through quoting and explaining the meaning of the text, Obraztsov focuses the viewer's attention on the characters of the "Song ...", their actions and, more importantly, the interpretation of these actions from the point of view of medieval contemporaries and their descendants. Reading fragments of the work, the writer explains in detail what is behind this or that part of the text, citing historical references and comparisons.
One of the central lines analyzed by the presenter is the story of Hagen - a character whose mind, soul and devotion to the overlord is admired by the author of the "Song of the Nibelungen".
The leitmotif of Hagen's story, from the point of view of modern man, is the vile murder of the hero Siegfried, but Obraztsov points to the difference in modern morality and morality of the historical period when the work was created (late XII - early XIII century). The presenter clarifies that the principles of honor of Hagen and his contemporaries were quite flexible: "Vassal devotion and devotion to the king in general is much higher than considerations of friendship, love, given words. This is generally the highest thing in the system of moral values of the "Song of the Nibelungen".
A traitor, thief and murderer of a child, Hagen turns out to be the most important and praised character of the epic, because, according to Obraztsov, his example shows how "heroism replaces a system of moral values."
"If he is a hero, then he can do anything ... His loyalty, his devotion to his kings atones for any atrocities he has committed, "says the writer.
The author devotes about three-quarters of the program to the analysis and analysis of the text of the epic, and then switches to its influence on modern or near-modern culture.
Obraztsov talks about the revival of interest in the "Song of the Nibelungen" in Europe and Germany at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries - first on the part of the German romantics, who gave a second life to the German epic, then, at the beginning of the XX century, already on the part of the Völkische movement, which arose as a result of the development and radicalization of German nationalism and national romanticism. The presenter emphasizes that the inspiration of the Germanic epic and its aesthetics could not pass without a trace, without bringing with it the value system of the original.
"The German romantics, Wagner, Völkische woke up Hagen. And Hagen turned around as it should, "Obraztsov emphasizes.
The ethical side of the German epic began to govern the behavior of German society at all its levels.
"Suddenly, at one point, the whole nation learned that they were the heirs of ancient heroes. And that their heroism supersedes any other moral values. What is most important is loyalty, devotion and honor. And now on the handles of the new "swords" of the new sinister "knights" - members of the SS - the inscription "My honor is called loyalty" appears, which Hagen would certainly sign - the bravest of men ... this is how ancient legends sometimes respond through the millennia," builds a logical chain of Samples.
"Exemplary Reading" is a fascinating show, curious in the angle of presentation of the material and potentially interesting to both literature fans and history buffs. Even if the viewer is not familiar with a particular work, the author talks in some detail and fascinatingly about the key events and characters, as well as about the context - chronological and social - of the literary work.
In the next issues of Exemplary Reading, the presenter will talk about where popular culture draws images from, on which circle of hell Dante placed "rapists of nature" and much more.