The Chronicle Legend about Prince Vladimir and Rogneda in the Tragedies by F. P. Klyucharev Vladimir the Great and M. M. Kheraskov Idylo-Worshippers, or Gorislava

The article is the first to consistently compare the tragedies Vladimir the Great by F. P. Klyucharev and Idylo-Worshippers, or Gorislava by M. M. Kheraskov. It is proved that the plots of the tragedies have much in common due to the fact that the authors processed the same chronicle story about the unsuccessful attempt of Rogneda on Vladimir and its consequences, but the interpretation of events differs. Klyucharev’s characters are guided by political motives and personal experiences, while Kheraskov emphasises religious and moral aspects. The works reveal several textual overlaps: Rogneda-Gorislava’s call to honour the prince, Rogneda’s visions, Vladimir’s ethical metamorphosis, Izyaslav’s intervention in the conflict, and so on. The comparison of Klyucharev’s and Kheraskov’s tragedies allows us to conclude that the similarity of the works is due to common historical sources and adherence to classicist canons, as well as the didactic goals of the authors.