Denis Fonvizin: Russia’s most famous playwright of the 18th century
He was born on April 14, 1745, and was the first to write original Russian comedies, which were staged in theaters around the country and still are very well known to this day.
Fonvizin's play 'The Minor' (1783) is still known to any schoolchild in Russia! And this comedy, though written more than 200 years ago, is still surprisingly relevant today.
In the 18th century, the 'minor' (‘недоросль’, ‘nedorosl’) was a definition of young noblemen, who had not received any education (even at home). They were not accepted for service and it was extremely problematic for them to marry.
Such a young man named Mitrofan grew up in the Prostakov family. He was extremely stupid and spoiled, didn't want to learn and attended classes only to follow the fashion for education.
His mother ruled the family and completely suppressed the will of her husband, spoiling her son and almost feeding him from a spoon, trying to protect him from all of life's problems…
At the same time, his mother plans to marry Mitrofan off to a young lady with a good dowry. However, there is a twist, as the girl is clever enough to refuse. So, the mother decides to kidnap a bride for her 'minor'…
Catherine the Great considered Fonvizin's comedy satire on the nobility and social structure and banned it from being printed. But, all writers of future generations admired the comedy, and 'nedorosl' became a common word in Russian to denote a stupid and ignorant young man.
