Specific and Universal in the Image of the Hero of the Kalmyk Heroic Tale and Epos «Dzhangar»

Abstract

The article deals with the semantics of the hero’s image and his functions in a Kalmyk heroic tale and the epos Dzhangar. The author reveals specific and universal features of the hero’s image by reconstructing the transformation process of the heroic tale into the heroic epos. The author comes to the conclusion that the universal in the image of the hero is associated with the syncretic nature and interpenetration of genres of both the heroic tale and the epos. The most important source of the formation of both the heroic epos and the heroic tale is a myth through which one can trace the transformation of the heroic tale into the heroic epos which is caused by the development of peoples themselves, their transition from the patriarchal and tribal system to the feudal society. The myth had influenced the formation of the heroic tales and heroic epos primarily through the image of a cultural hero. In this connection, the author makes an assumption that this image served as source material contributed to the creation of fabulous and epic heroes’ models. Specific features of the image are caused by socio-historical factors of the patriarchal-patrimonial and feudal systems that influenced the creation of the image of the hero both in the tale and the epos.