ILIA MUROMETS AND ROBIN HOOD Russian and English national characters Research is made by Mishin Pavel Tsapalina Yulia School 1 Alexandrov Teacher: Akimova E.I. 2015

THE ACTUALITY OF THE RESEARCH Are folk characters important for understanding out national mentality? No doubt, they are! Knowing the difference between Russian and English epic characters, we will be able to understand our national identity better. So, we asked our classmates a question: What Russian and English epic characters do you know?. The answer was : Ilia Muromets and Robin Hood. So we decided to compare them and decide if there is any difference between the famous Russian bogatyr and the well-known English hero.

The aim of the research: to study the peculiarities of Russian and English folk characters. The object of the research: Ilia Muromets and Robin Hood. The subject of the research: different and similar features of the characters. The methods of the research: Inquiry, mathematical analysis of the inquiry, study and analysis of literature, comparison, synthesis. The time of the research : two months (September and October 2015) The hypothesis of the research is that the characters of Russian and English folklore are different because of historic and cultural peculiarities of these countries.

The prototypes The possible prototype of Ilia Muromets – a peasant Ilia Chobitok from Karacharovo, Vladimir region. He died in the monastery of Kievo-Pechorskaya Lavra. The scientists examined his bones and proved that this man was really big, strong and had many wounds, but he had been disabled for a long time. There are a lot of versions about the origin of Robin Hood. Some scientists argue whether he was from York, or Nottingham, or Loxly. But they all agree that he was a nobleman.

According to the epic stories, Ilia Muromets was disabled till the age of 33. One day he got some magical cure from the old men, after that he gained incredible strengh and devoted his life to serving prince Vladimir the Red Sun and defending his motherland. As for Robin Hood, his biography is not connected with magic. Perhaps, it means that Russian people have always had more trust in miracles and more hope, whereas English people are more pragmatic. Biography facts

The appearance The garment of every Russian bogatyr was a suit of heavy metal armour and a helmet. His usual weapons were a palitsa, a bulava, a sword, a spear. He was always depicted on his strong horse. The figure of a bogatyr was really mighty. Robin Hood wore an olive green cloak with a hood. Some scientists think that the name Robin Hood originated from the part of his cloak – his hood His main weapon was a bow and arrows. The image of Ilia Murimets is more impressive than the image of Robin Hood.

The allies Ilia Muromets had two aliens: Alesha Popovich and Dobrynya Nikitich. They had the same qualities as Ilia: courage, strength, wisdom. Some scientists think that there were only three bogatyrs, because it is connected with the Saint Trinity( Russian people have always believed in God). Robin Hoods friends were the members of his forest band of Merry Men: Little John, Lady Marian, Brother Took. The scientists Dont see any hidden meaning in his friends.

The enemies The enemies of Ilia Muromets were mystic creatures and the representatives of non-Christian religion: Zhidovin, Idoloshe Poganoye, Solovey Razboynik. It proves that Russian epic characters could conquer everyone, even evil spirit. The main enemies of Robin Hood were rich people, the citizens of his own country, including the sheriff of Nottingham and the knife Guy Gisborn. He never fought with the supernatural.

Ilia Muromets fought with powerful enemies in order to help prince Vladimir defend his motherland – Russian land. Robin Hood fought with rich people in order to protect poor ones. The missions.

The missions of Ilia Muromets and Robin Hood can show us the mentality of Russian and English peopleIn both cultures they are not just characters, they are real heroes. But for English people a hero – is a person, who can help other people, whereas for Russian people a hero – is a strong, courageous, reliable, wise, experienced person, who can defend the whole country and even the religion of the country. So, we can conclude that the differences in the folk characters reflect the differences in peoples mentality. Conclusion. The main difference.

The sources steeds.+robin+hoodhttp://yandex.ru/video/search?text=solving+history+with+olly +steeds.+robin+hood 6.Волкова З. Н. Русский эпос. Учебное пособие по аналитическому чтению. М., Русское народное поэтическое творчество / Под ред. Н. И. Кравцова. М., Мендяев Пюрвя Николаевич, Тесей против Ильи Муромца // журнал « Самиздат » [ электронный ресурс