Alexander Blok between Vl. Solovyev and E.V. Anichkov: A. Blok’s drama “The Rose and the Cross” and the legacy of Western esotericism

The author examines how Western esoteric traditions, particularly Joachimism and Catharism, along with the neo-mythological link between the Cathars and the Holy Grail legend, appear in Alexander Blok's drama "The Rose and the Cross." The analysis traces the influence of Vladimir Solovyov's historiosophy and E. V. Anichkov's aesthetics on the drama's symbolism, showing that Blok's work is deeply intertwined with neo-mythological concepts from the "French school" of Western esotericism, which were widely discussed among Russian symbolists, for instance in connection with Sar Peladan. The article concludes that Solovyov's writings and Anichkov's beliefs about medieval mysticism shaped the drama's symbolism.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In the third article of the series publications on the topic “A. Blok and Vl. Solovyov”, the author considers the representation of the heritage of Western esoterism in Blok’s drama “The Rose and the Cross” on the example of the poet's appeal to the themes of Joachimism and Catharism, including the neo-mythological connection of the Cathars with the legend of the Holy Grail. The author analyzes the influence of V.V. Solovyov's historiosophy and E.V. Anichkov's aesthetics on the symbolism of the drama from the perspective of rethinking these themes. It is shown that the drama of Blok is deeply intertwined with the neo-mythological concepts of the "French school" of Western esotericism, which were widely discussed in the circle of Russian symbolists, for example, in connection with the work of Sar Peladan. The conclusion is made about the influence on the symbolism of the drama of the works of V. Solovyov and the beliefs of E. V. Anichkov associated with medieval mysticism. An extensive bibliography is provided.