The article examines the evolution of translations of the first Anacreon’s ode by Russian poets of the 18th century. Appeals to Anacreontics by A.D. Kantemir, M.V. Lomonosov, N.A. Lvov, M.N. Muravyov, G.R. Derzhavin, N.M. Karamzin characterize each of these authors’ creative searches in this area in different ways, which is why the examination of one text can provide an opportunity to trace the features of “light poetry” at different stages of the 74 Russian literary process of the 18th century, as well as within the framework of various individual creative strategies. The article notes the Russification in translations of Anacreon (replacement of the lyre with the “gusli” by A.D. Kantemir and M.V. Lomonosov), its inclusion in the polemics about the goals and objectives of poetry (M.V. Lomonosov, M.N. Muravyov), and a response to the contemporary political events (G.R. Derzhavin). The difference in approaches to the interpretation of the main theme of the ode within the framework of the classicist (M.V. Lomonosov) and sentimentalist and pre-romantic (M.N. Muravyov, N.M. Karamzin) systems is noted. Attention is drawn to the difference in genre definitions: if the term "ode" appears in the translations of A.D. Kantemir and M.V. Lomonosov, then for G.R. Derzhavin it is more typical to designate the translations as "idyls". Finally, it is noted that in the work of N.M. Karamzin, who consistently did not turn to Anacreontic poetry, one can nevertheless identify the influence of the motifs of Anacreon's first ode, creatively transformed within the framework of such a genre as a friendly message, or, in turn, put to work in the context of a discussion about the goals and tasks of poetry (including panegyric poetry).
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