Eugene Onegin
Overview
Eugene Onegin is a novel in verse written by Alexander Pushkin.
It is a classic of Russian literature
, and its eponymous protagonist has served as the model for a number of Russian literary heroes (so-called superfluous men
). It was published in serial form between 1825 and 1832. The first complete edition was published in 1833, and the currently accepted version is based on the 1837 publication.
Almost the entire work is made up of 389 stanza
s of iambic tetrameter
with the unusual rhyme scheme "AbAbCCddEffEgg", where the uppercase letters represent feminine rhyme
s while the lowercase letters represent masculine rhyme
s.
It is a classic of Russian literature
Russian literature
Russian literature refers to the literature of Russia or its émigrés, and to the Russian-language literature of several independent nations once a part of what was historically Russia or the Soviet Union...
, and its eponymous protagonist has served as the model for a number of Russian literary heroes (so-called superfluous men
Superfluous man
The Superfluous Man is a 19th century Russian literary concept. It relates to an individual, possibly of talent and capability, who does not fit into the state-centered pattern of employment. Often the individual is born into the upper class and is rich and affluent. He may pursue a military...
). It was published in serial form between 1825 and 1832. The first complete edition was published in 1833, and the currently accepted version is based on the 1837 publication.
Almost the entire work is made up of 389 stanza
Stanza
In poetry, a stanza is a unit within a larger poem. In modern poetry, the term is often equivalent with strophe; in popular vocal music, a stanza is typically referred to as a "verse"...
s of iambic tetrameter
Iambic tetrameter
Iambic tetrameter is a meter in poetry. It refers to a line consisting of four iambic feet. The word "tetrameter" simply means that there are four feet in the line; iambic tetrameter is a line comprising four iambs...
with the unusual rhyme scheme "AbAbCCddEffEgg", where the uppercase letters represent feminine rhyme
Feminine rhyme
A feminine rhyme is a rhyme that matches two or more syllables, usually at the end of respective lines, in which the final syllable or syllables are unstressed.-English:...
s while the lowercase letters represent masculine rhyme
Masculine rhyme
A masculine rhyme is a rhyme that matches only one syllable, usually at the end of respective lines. Often the final syllable is stressed.-English:In English prosody, a masculine rhyme is a rhyme on a single stressed syllable at the end of a line of poetry...
s.
