How to Pronounce Mikhail Lermontov

Meaning and Context

Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov (1814–1841) stands as a towering and tragic figure in the canon of Russian literature, a seminal Russian Romantic poet, novelist, and painter whose brief but incendiary career profoundly shaped the nation's literary landscape. Often hailed as the successor to Alexander Pushkin, whose death in a duel in 1837 inspired Lermontov's defiant elegy "The Death of a Poet," his work is characterized by a profound exploration of the "superfluous man," a disillusioned and cynical archetype grappling with societal constraints. His masterpiece, the novel A Hero of Our Time (published in 1840), is a pioneering work of psychological realism that dissects the complex, morally ambiguous character of Pechorin. Alongside his narrative prose, Lermontov's poetry, including seminal works like "The Sail," "The Demon," and "Borodino," is celebrated for its lyrical intensity, themes of existential loneliness, and deep connection to the Caucasus region, where he was exiled twice by Tsar Nicholas I. His untimely death in a duel at the age of 26 cemented his legacy as a quintessential Romantic hero, whose contributions remain essential to understanding 19th-century Romanticism, Russian poetry, and the evolution of the modern Russian novel.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard English transliteration from the Cyrillic "Михаи́л Ю́рьевич Ле́рмонтов" is "Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov." Common variations and errors primarily involve the spelling of his first and last names. The first name is sometimes anglicized as "Michael" or "Mikhail," with the latter being the more academically accepted form. A frequent misspelling of the surname is "Lermonotov" or "Lermontow," the latter being a German-influenced transliteration. It is also occasionally incorrectly written as "Lermontov" (omitting the 'o'). When referencing his works, A Hero of Our Time is sometimes mistakenly called "Hero of Our Time" (omitting the initial article) or "A Hero of Our Times." Ensuring the correct spelling is crucial for academic searches and accurate representation of his legacy in Russian literature.

Example Sentences

Scholars often cite Mikhail Lermontov's novel A Hero of Our Time as a foundational text of Russian psychological realism.

The lyrical despair and vivid imagery of the Caucasus in Lermontov's poetry continue to captivate readers worldwide.

After writing "The Death of a Poet," a scathing critique of the aristocracy, Lermontov was swiftly exiled to a dragoon regiment in the Caucasus.

His poem "The Sail," with its iconic opening line, is a staple in Russian school curricula, symbolizing the Romantic quest for freedom and turmoil.

The complex character of Pechorin, Lermontov's "hero," embodies the alienation and cynical intelligence of the post-Decembrist generation.

Many literary critics posit that had Lermontov not perished in the duel of 1841, he might have rivaled Pushkin in the breadth and depth of his literary output.

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