Analysis of the story "Judas Iscariot": theme, idea, artistic features, reader's position (Andreev L. N.)

"Psychology of betrayal" - the main theme of L. Andreev's story "Judas Iscariot" -. The images and motives of the New Testament, the ideal and reality, the hero and the crowd, true and hypocritical love - these are the main motives of this story. Andreev uses the gospel story about the betrayal of Jesus Christ by his disciple Judas Iscariot, interpreting it in his own way. If the focus of the Holy Scriptures is the image of Christ, then Andreev turns his attention to the disciple, who betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver into the hands of the Jewish authorities and thereby became the culprit of the suffering on the cross and the death of his Teacher. The writer is trying to find a justification for Judas' actions, to understand his psychology, internal contradictions that prompted him to commit a moral crime, to prove that there is more nobility and love for Christ in Judas's betrayal than among faithful disciples.

According to Andreev, by betraying and assuming the name of a traitor, “Judas saves the cause of Christ. True love is betrayal; the love for Christ of the other apostles is a betrayal and a lie.” After the execution of Christ, when “the horror and dreams came true”, “he walks slowly: now the whole earth belongs to him, and he steps firmly, like a ruler, like a king, like one who is infinitely and joyfully alone in this world.”

Judas appears in the work differently than in the gospel narrative - sincerely loving Christ and suffering from the fact that he does not find understanding for his feelings. The change in the traditional interpretation of the image of Judas in the story is complemented by new details: Judas was married, left his wife, who wanders in search of food. The episode of the competition of the apostles in throwing stones is fictitious. Opponents of Judas are other disciples of the Savior, especially the apostles John and Peter. The traitor sees how Christ shows great love towards them, which, according to Judas, who did not believe in their sincerity, is undeserved. In addition, Andreev depicts the apostles Peter, John, Thomas being in the power of pride - they are worried about who will be the first in the Kingdom of Heaven. Having committed his crime, Judas commits suicide, as he cannot bear his act and the execution of his beloved Teacher.

As the Church teaches, sincere repentance allows one to receive the forgiveness of sin, but the suicide of Iscariot, which is the most terrible and unforgivable sin, forever closed the doors of paradise before him. In the image of Christ and Judas, Andreev confronts two philosophies of life. Christ dies, and Judas seems to be able to triumph, but this victory turns into a tragedy for him. Why? From Andreev's point of view, the tragedy of Judas is that he understands life and human nature more deeply than Jesus. Judas is in love with the idea of ​​goodness, which he himself debunked. The act of betrayal is a sinister experiment, philosophical and psychological. By betraying Jesus, Judas hopes that in the sufferings of Christ the ideas of goodness and love will be more clearly revealed to people. A. Blok wrote that in the story - "the soul of the author - a living wound."

The era of modernism, which came at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, was marked by the desire of many writers to give their own interpretation of the "eternal" plots and image that underlie all European culture. These are not only images of world literature - Prometheus, Hamlet, Don Quixote, Don Juan, but also images that have come to us from the pages of Holy Scripture - a book that provides answers to the most important spiritual questions of mankind. Artists of previous centuries relied on canonical plots and interpreted eternal truths in their own words. Modernist writers tried to change the traditional view of biblical imagery. One of these images turned out to be Judas, whose very name became a household name, meaning the highest degree of a person's moral fall - betrayal. Leonid Andreev, the most popular prose writer of the turn of the century, gave his understanding of the reasons that pushed one of the apostles of Christ to a monstrous act.

The theme of the story "Judas Iscariot" (1907) is one of the most relevant and exciting topics for everyone who survived the bloody events of the revolution of 1905-1907. Unlike his contemporary, the writer Fyodor Sologub, Leonid Andreev could not accept the idea that the nature of evil is petty and vile, that there is little grandiose, demonic in the guise of earthly evil. Being strongly influenced by the works of F. M. Dostoevsky, L. Andreev sought to find the ideological prerequisites underlying the Judas sin.

Judas and Christ

It immediately attracts attention that Judas is simultaneously opposed in the story to both Christ and the apostles. However, this opposition is different in the first and in the second case. It's not just about appearance: Jesus is an amazingly whole person who knows no doubt in his words and actions. In the guise of Judas, as well as in his speeches, gestures, deeds, duality is constantly emphasized. Even Judas' face doubles.

In the interpretation of L. Andreev, Judas committed the first betrayal long before the Garden of Gethsemane. Let us recall an incident that occurred in one of the villages, in which the preaching of Jesus was received with hostility and even wanted to stone him and his disciples. Judas, with lies and slanders against his teacher, begged for mercy from the angry inhabitants, but instead of gratitude, he met the wrath of Christ and the apostles. This episode clarifies the nature of Judas' relationship to Jesus: his love for his teacher is earthly love, and Judas values ​​a mortal man in Christ more than the immortal God the Son. Jesus was ready to pay for the truth of his teaching at the cost of his life.

The originality of the author's position in the story

Any interpretation, in contrast to a holistic analysis, is based on the fact that its author formulates his point of view, relying only on a number of facts that allow him to create a fairly convincing and internally consistent concept. That is exactly what L. Andreev did. It is no coincidence that, according to memoirists, he was even proud that, while working on the first edition of the story, he did not read not only other writers who devoted their works to a similar topic, but also did not reread the Gospel, which, by the way, in the initial version of the story was a lot of mistakes. Therefore, in the interpretation of the writer, Jesus will wait for his disciples to intercede for him, and will reject their defense only when he is convinced of its futility.

Another thing is also noteworthy: for a long time, the words of Christ in the story sound only in the retelling of the narrator or his disciples. And the first words of Jesus, sounded in the work from his own lips, will be the words about the coming threefold denial of Peter. In the future, if in the story he says "Christ" in the first person, then these will be words of condemnation of the disciples and sorrow, taken by the author directly from the text of the Gospel. Thus, Leonid Andreev seems to want to convince us that Jesus needed such a person as Judas, who was capable of laying down his life and soul for him. The image of Judas receives in the story, especially in its finale, a truly tragic decision: having destroyed with his love the one who was his only justification and protection, Judas doomed himself to death.

The story "Judas Iscariot", a summary of which is presented in this article, was created on the basis of a biblical story. Nevertheless, even before the publication of the work, Maxim Gorky said that few would understand it and would cause a lot of noise.

Leonid Andreev

This is a rather ambiguous author. Andreev's work in Soviet times was unfamiliar to readers. Before proceeding to a summary of Judas Iscariot - a story that causes both delight and indignation - let's recall the main and most interesting facts from the writer's biography.

Leonid Nikolaevich Andreev was an extraordinary and very emotional person. As a law student, he began to abuse alcohol. For some time, the only source of income for Andreev was painting portraits to order: he was not only a writer, but also an artist.

In 1894 Andreev tried to commit suicide. An unsuccessful shot led to the development of heart disease. For five years, Leonid Andreev was engaged in advocacy. Writer's fame came to him in 1901. But even then, he evoked conflicting feelings among readers and critics. Leonid Andreev welcomed the revolution of 1905 with joy, but soon became disillusioned with it. After the secession of Finland, he went into exile. The writer died abroad in 1919 from a heart defect.

The history of the creation of the story "Judas Iscariot"

The work was published in 1907. The plot ideas came to the mind of the writer during his stay in Switzerland. In May 1906, Leonid Andreev informed one of his colleagues that he was going to write a book on the psychology of betrayal. He managed to realize the plan in Capri, where he went after the death of his wife.

"Judas Iscariot", a summary of which is presented below, was written within two weeks. The author showed the first edition to his friend Maxim Gorky. He drew the author's attention to historical and factual errors. Andreev re-read the New Testament more than once and made corrections to the story. Even during the life of the writer, the story "Judas Iscariot" was translated into English, German, French and other languages.

The man of notoriety

None of the apostles noticed the appearance of Judas. How did he manage to gain Master's trust? Jesus Christ was warned many times that he was a very notorious man. He should beware. Judas was condemned not only by “right” people, but also by villains. He was the worst of the worst. When the disciples asked Judas about what motivates him to do terrible things, he answered that every person is a sinner. What he said was in tune with the words of Jesus. Nobody has the right to judge another.

This is the philosophical problem of the story Judas Iscariot. The author, of course, did not make his hero positive. But he put the traitor on a par with the disciples of Jesus Christ. Andreev's idea could not but cause a resonance in society.

The disciples of Christ asked Judas more than once about who his father was. He replied that he did not know, perhaps the devil, a rooster, a goat. How can he know everyone with whom his mother shared a bed? Such answers shocked the apostles. Judas insulted his parents, which means he was doomed to perish.

One day, a crowd attacks Christ and his disciples. They are accused of stealing a kid. But a person who will soon betray his teacher rushes to the crowd with the words that the teacher is not possessed by a demon at all, he just loves money just like everyone else. Jesus leaves the village in anger. His disciples follow him, cursing Judas. But after all, this small, disgusting man, worthy of only contempt, wanted to save them ...

Theft

Christ trusts Judas to keep his savings. But he hides a few coins, which the students, of course, will soon find out. But Jesus does not condemn the unlucky disciple. After all, the apostles should not count the coins that his brother appropriated. Their reproaches only offend him. This evening Judas Iscariot is very cheerful. On his example, the apostle John understood what love for one's neighbor is.

thirty pieces of silver

The last days of his life, Jesus surrounds with affection the one who betrays him. Judas is helpful with his disciples - nothing should interfere with his plan. An event will soon take place, thanks to which his name will forever remain in the memory of people. It will be called almost as often as the name of Jesus.

After the execution

When analyzing Andreev's story "Judas Iscariot", special attention should be paid to the finale of the work. The apostles suddenly appear before the readers as cowardly, cowardly people. After the execution, Judas addresses them with a sermon. Why didn't they save Christ? Why didn't they attack the guards in order to rescue the Teacher?

Judas will forever remain in the memory of people as a traitor. And those who were silent when Jesus was crucified will be venerated. After all, they carry the Word of Christ on earth. This is the summary of Judas Iscariot. In order to make an artistic analysis of the work, you should still read the story in full.

The meaning of the story "Judas Iscariot"

Why did the author depict a negative biblical character in such an unusual perspective? "Judas Iscariot" by Leonid Nikolaevich Andreev is, according to many critics, one of the greatest works of Russian classics. The story makes the reader think first of all about what is true love, true faith and fear of death. The author seems to ask what is hidden behind faith, is there a lot of true love in it?

The image of Judas in the story "Judas Iscariot"

The hero of Andreev's book is a traitor. Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. He is the worst of all who has ever lived on our planet. Can you feel compassion for him? Of course not. The writer seems to tempt the reader.

But it is worth remembering that Andreev's story is by no means a theological work. The book has nothing to do with the church, faith. The author simply invited readers to look at the well-known story from a different, unusual side.

A person is mistaken, believing that he can always accurately determine the motives of the behavior of another. Judas betrays Christ, which means he is a bad person. This indicates that he does not believe in the Messiah. The apostles give the teacher to the Romans and Pharisees to be torn to pieces. And they do it because they believe in their teacher. Jesus will rise again, they will believe in the Savior. Andreev offered to look at the act of both Judas and the faithful disciples of Christ differently.

Judas is madly in love with Christ. However, it seems to him that those around him do not appreciate Jesus enough. And he provokes the Jews: he betrays the adored teacher in order to test the strength of the people's love for him. Judas is in for a severe disappointment: the disciples fled, and the people demand to kill Jesus. Even Pilate's words that he did not find the guilt of Christ were not heard by anyone. The crowd is out for blood.

This book caused indignation among believers. Not surprising. The apostles did not snatch Christ from the clutches of the escorts, not because they believed in him, but because they were afraid - this is perhaps the main idea of ​​Andreev's story. After the execution, Judas turns to the disciples with reproaches, and at this moment he is not at all disgusting. It seems that there is truth in his words.

Judas took upon himself a heavy cross. He became a traitor, thus causing people to wake up. Jesus said that the guilty should not be killed. But wasn't his execution a violation of this postulate? In the mouth of Judas - his hero - Andreev puts words that, perhaps, he wanted to pronounce himself. Did not Christ go to death with the tacit consent of his disciples? Judas asks the apostles how they could allow his death. They have nothing to answer. They are confusedly silent.

History of creation and analysis of the problems of the story

The work was written in 1907, although the idea appeared 5 years earlier. Andreev decided to show betrayal, based on his own thoughts and fantasies. In the center of the composition is the narrative of a new look at the famous biblical parable.

Analyzing the problems of the story "Judas Iscariot", one can notice that the motive of betrayal is being considered. Judas is jealous of Jesus, his love and kindness towards people, because he understands that he is not capable of this. Judas cannot contradict himself, even if he behaves in an inhuman manner. The general theme is the philosophical theme of the two worldviews.

The main characters of the story "Judas Iscariot"

Judas Iscariot is a two-faced character. Readers' dislike is caused by his portrait. He is shown either courageous or hysterical. Unlike the rest of the disciples, Judas is depicted without a halo and even outwardly uglier. The author calls him a traitor, and in the text there are comparisons with a demon, a freak, an insect.

The images of other students in the story are symbolic and associative.

Other details of the analysis of the story "Judas Iscariot"

The whole appearance of Judas coincides with his character. But, external thinness brings him closer to the image of Christ. Jesus does not distance himself from the traitor, because he must help everyone. And he knows that he will betray him.

They have mutual love, Judas also loves Jesus, listen to his breathy speeches.

The conflict occurs at the moment when Judas accuses people of depravity and Jesus moves away from him. Judas feels and perceives this quite painfully. The traitor believes that the entourage of Jesus are liars who curry favor with Christ, he does not believe in their sincerity. He also does not believe in their experiences after the death of Jesus, although he himself suffers.

Judas has the idea that when they die, they will meet again and be able to get closer. But, it is known that suicide is a sin and the teacher is not destined to meet his student. It is with the death of Jesus that the betrayal of Judas is revealed. Judas committed suicide. He hanged himself from a tree growing over a precipice, so that when the branch broke off, he would smash against the rocks.

An analysis of the story "Judas Iscariot" would not be complete if we did not note how the Gospel narrative differs fundamentally from the story "Judas Iscariot". The difference between Andreev's interpretation of the plot and the Gospel lies in the fact that Judas sincerely loved Christ and did not understand why he had these feelings and the other eleven disciples have them.

In this story, Raskolnikov's theory can be traced: with the help of the murder of one person, transform the world. But, of course, it cannot be true.

Undoubtedly, the work was criticized by the church. But Andreev put this essence: the interpretation of the nature of betrayal. People should think about their actions and put their thoughts in order.

We hope that the analysis of the story "Judas Iscariot" was useful to you. We recommend that you read this story in its entirety, but if you wish, you can also get acquainted with

Composition

"Psychology of betrayal" - the main theme of L. Andreev's story "Judas Iscariot" -. The images and motives of the New Testament, the ideal and reality, the hero and the crowd, true and hypocritical love - these are the main motives of this story. Andreev uses the gospel story about the betrayal of Jesus Christ by his disciple Judas Iscariot, interpreting it in his own way. If the focus of the Holy Scriptures is the image of Christ, then Andreev turns his attention to the disciple, who betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver into the hands of the Jewish authorities and thereby became the culprit of the suffering on the cross and the death of his Teacher. The writer is trying to find a justification for Judas' actions, to understand his psychology, internal contradictions that prompted him to commit a moral crime, to prove that there is more nobility and love for Christ in Judas's betrayal than among faithful disciples.

According to Andreev, by betraying and assuming the name of a traitor, “Judas saves the cause of Christ. True love is betrayal; the love for Christ of the other apostles is a betrayal and a lie.” After the execution of Christ, when “the horror and dreams came true”, “he walks slowly: now the whole earth belongs to him, and he steps firmly, like a ruler, like a king, like one who is infinitely and joyfully alone in this world.”

Judas appears in the work differently than in the gospel narrative - sincerely loving Christ and suffering from the fact that he does not find understanding for his feelings. The change in the traditional interpretation of the image of Judas in the story is complemented by new details: Judas was married, left his wife, who wanders in search of food. The episode of the competition of the apostles in throwing stones is fictitious. Opponents of Judas are other disciples of the Savior, especially the apostles John and Peter. The traitor sees how Christ shows great love towards them, which, according to Judas, who did not believe in their sincerity, is undeserved. In addition, Andreev depicts the apostles Peter, John, Thomas being in the power of pride - they are worried about who will be the first in the Kingdom of Heaven. Having committed his crime, Judas commits suicide, as he cannot bear his act and the execution of his beloved Teacher.

As the Church teaches, sincere repentance allows one to receive the forgiveness of sin, but the suicide of Iscariot, which is the most terrible and unforgivable sin, forever closed the doors of paradise before him. In the image of Christ and Judas, Andreev confronts two philosophies of life. Christ dies, and Judas seems to be able to triumph, but this victory turns into a tragedy for him. Why? From Andreev's point of view, the tragedy of Judas is that he understands life and human nature more deeply than Jesus. Judas is in love with the idea of ​​goodness, which he himself debunked. The act of betrayal is a sinister experiment, philosophical and psychological. By betraying Jesus, Judas hopes that in the sufferings of Christ the ideas of goodness and love will be more clearly revealed to people. A. Blok wrote that in the story - "the soul of the author - a living wound."