Woe from Wit

Interesting Facts

• Woe from Wit is one of the first works of Russian literature written in the genre of realistic comedy.
• The main character of the play, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, became a symbol of the freedom-loving and progressive young person of his time.
• Many phrases from the play have become proverbial expressions, such as: 'Glad to serve, but sickened by servility' and 'The tale is fresh, but hard to believe.'
• The play was written in 1823, but due to censorship, it was first published in full only in 1862, 30 years after the author's death.
• The work reflects real events and characters from Griboyedov's life, making it an important historical document of the era.
• The play consists of four acts and is written in verse, which gives it a special musicality and expressiveness.
• Woe from Wit critically portrays the Moscow noble society of the early 19th century, mocking its conservatism and hypocrisy.