Formation of the 17th Century Intellectual Elite and the Works of Prokhor Kolomniatin

Abstract

FoRmatioN oF tHE 17 th CENtuRY iNtEllECtual ElitE aND tHE WoRKs oF PRoKHoR KolomNiatiN* 16 This paper is devoted to the phenomenon of the intellectual elite emerging in Russian literature in the 17 th century. The image of Prokhor Kolomnyatin, a charismatic figure of the time in question, a man of literature and enlightenment, enables the author to see how this class took shape in Russian society. With reference to little-known manuscripts belonging to the literary legacy of the poet, the article demonstrates Prokhor's understanding of the role of a teacher and poet, and analyzes the perception and evaluation of his creative work within a sociocultural context. Additionally, the author identifies the main characteristics of baroque esthetics, concluding that the intellectual elite failed to fully develop further due to Peter the Great's reforms.