The concept of fear in Tolkovaya Paleya (The Explanatory Palea)
https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2020-5-96-111
Abstract
The article discusses the meaning of the concept of fear in Tolkovaya Paleya (Old Russian commented retelling of Old Testament). This historical source is important for exploring the notion of fear in Old Russian literature. Tolkovaya Paleya was an influential text. It includes interpretations and additions to the Biblical stories. The concept of fear in Tolkovaya Paleya has a rather complex structure. Its key point is the fear of God. The meaning of the God-fearing concept and its main characteristics in Paleya were defined by the author of the article following the analysis of the context for the expression ‘the fear of God’ and through the study of larger semantic blocks that include that phrase. The paper also focuses on the role of the Godfearing in the world order and in the lives of humans as it was described in Tolkovaya Paleya. The opposite of this fear is the fear of death, appearing in the text of the source in the description of sinner’s demise. The analysis of that component in the concept of fear shows the most frightening aspects of death for the compiler of Paleya. The paper helps to expand the understanding of how the concept of fear was interpreted in Ancient Russia, and outlines a direction for further research – the study of fear in the context of sinfulness and righteousness.
About the Author
S. A. Borisova
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Svetlana A. Borisova, Master of Art Studies
125993, Москва, Миусская пл., д. 6
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Review
For citations:
Borisova S.A. The concept of fear in Tolkovaya Paleya (The Explanatory Palea). RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2020;(5):96-111. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2020-5-96-111
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