Literary Relations between Dmitry Khvostov and Gavriil Derzhavin

Abstract

The paper is devoted to one of the episodes of the literary life in Russia at the turn of the nineteenth century, the friendship and rivalry between two poets of different degrees of talent and of contemporary acclaim: Dmitry Khvostov and Gavriil Derzhavin. Analysis of dedications and epigrams of these poets shows that friendly relations did not prevent the more talented and progressive Derzhavin from scoffing at the old-fashioned and conservative Khvostov and from stressing the weaknesses of his works. Khvostov reacted to it painfully, yet stoically and without malice.