Abstract
<jats:p>The genre features of V.S. Solovyov's elegies and the poetic traditions associated with this genre are discussed. Although this topic has been discussed in modern science in general terms only, it requires further research to determine the significance of the elegy form for Solovyov-poet and to clarify the evolution of genres in Russian literature at the end of the XIXth century. Based on V.A. Kozlov's concept of the elegy, the author of this article identifies various models of elegy in Solovyov's poetry (“cemetery”, “autumn”, “dull”, “analytical”, “metaphysical”, obsessive memory elegy) and analyzes their essential characteristics. Elegiac traditions established by Russian romantic poets, which Solovyov may have been influenced by, are studied. Comparative analysis of Solovyov's elegiac poetics with that of V.A. Zhukovsky, E.A. Baratynsky and A.S. Pushkin is conducted at various artistic levels (emotional structure, type of lyric subject, nature of imagery, structure, elegiac time and space, and style). It can be concluded that the traditional genre of elegy and various elegiac patterns are reflected in the poetic legacy of Solovyov throughout his artistic journey. After mastering the poetics of this genre in its classic form, the philosopher rethought, first and foremost, those elements that were not consistent with his worldview and the inner structure of his creative personality, as well as the new era of poetry, within which the elegy acquired philosophical features.</jats:p>