“RUSUDANIANI” – A FAIRY-TALE EPIC OF THE RENAISSANCE ERA OR A LITERARY FAIRY TALE

Ketevan Barbakadze; Tamar Gogoladze

Ketevan Barbakadze Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Associated Professor of Gori State University, 53 Chavchavadze St. 1400, Gori, Georgia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8706-2102
Tamar Gogoladze Doctor of Philology, Professor of Gori State University, 53 Chavchavadze St., 1400, Gori, Georgia http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0450-2924

Abstract

In the fourth period of Old Georgian literature, secular literature begins to develop, characterized by its specific genres. According to researchers, along with lyric poetry, prose emerges in the forms of heroic, moral-romantic, and didactic narratives, among which the so-called fairy-tale epic also appears. This genre originates from eastern plots of national folklore and is presented either by known authors (such as Peshangi, Baaka Dvaladze, etc.) or by anonymous writers (e.g., “Rusudaniani”). These works thanks to scribes and disseminators over several centuries, filled the dowry chests of brides and mothers and were considered as interesting reading material.

According to the renowned researcher of Georgian literature, Korneli Kekelidze, the fairy-tale apic is essentially a literary adaptation of fairy tales “in the true sense of the word.” This idea has led us to propose the hypothesis that the fairy-tale epic “Rusudaniani” can be regarded as a literary fairy tale by an unknown author. It unfolds as a series of tales narrated by the twelve brothers of Rusudan, the wife of King Manuchar of Yamaneti, in an effort to alleviate her mourning and sorrow.

Key words: Fairy-tale epic, “Rusudaniani”, Literary fairy tale.