„Edle Räuber“ in georgischer Volksdichtung und Literatur
“Noble Robbers” in Georgian Folklore and Literature

Author(s): Elene Gogiashvili
Subject(s): Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Studies of Literature, German Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: narrative tradition; folk tale; social bandit; Data Tutashkhia; Arsena
Summary/Abstract: In the European and Caucasian traditional folk narratives, there are different types of romanticised bandits. This phenomenon occurs in many societies and is described in various forms in oral tradition: epics, songs, folk tales, and anecdotes. The images of the robbers are part of a mythology of heroic lawlessness. Historical and fictional figures of robbers have been heroised and established as “social bandits” and repeatedly referred to with the term “noble robber.” In Georgian folk tales, realistic tales and anecdotes, the theme of robbers has been interpreted differently. The international fairy-tale motifs in Georgian folklore joined the national repertoire. There is a difference between fictional and non-fictional robbers in Georgian folklore. In folk tales, fairy tales and realistic tales, the fictional image of the robber is antagonistic in nature. In contrast to the folk tales, the historical robbers appear in other genres of folk narratives as outlaws whom the state regards as criminals, but in peasant society, they are considered heroes, avengers and fighters for justice and even leaders of liberation.

• Details
• Contents