Mtsyri

Historical Context and Significance

«Mtsyri» is a poem by Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov, written in 1839 and first published in 1840. This work holds an important place in 19th-century Russian literature and represents one of the key works of Romanticism. The poem tells the story of Mtsyri (a young monk) who, having been kidnapped as a child and raised in a monastery, yearns for freedom and the knowledge of the world, only to tragically end his days. It explores themes of freedom, loneliness, and self-discovery, which resonated with the people of that time and continue to be relevant. «Mtsyri» made a significant contribution to the development of the Russian literary language and poetic form, as well as influenced the perception of Caucasian themes in Russian literature.