N. GUMILEV’S EXPERIENCE IN TRANSLATION OF G. BYRON’S POEM “DON JUAN”

Abstract

Aim. We conduct an objective critical assessment of the translation of an extract from the poem in order to find out what could be the reason of the artistic failure. Methodology. The translation is analyzed for the first time. We analyze the works of N. Gumilev, the facts of his biography and the memoirs of his contemporaries, indicating the place of the image of Don Juan in his works. As a methodological basis, the literary-historical and biographical approaches are used. Results. Based on the study, we suggest that the cause of creative failure could be due to the socio-political situation and, at the same time, to loss of poet’s interest to the image of Don Juan created by G. Byron. Research implications. We have performed an analysis of a little-known translation for the first time and illustrated the development of the image of Don Juan in the work of N. Gumilev.