MYTHOPOETIC BASIS OF SOSRUKO CHARACTER (BY THE ADYGHE VERSION OF NART SAGA)

Abstract

The research topicality is due to the one-sidedness of the existing interpretations of one of the key heroes of Nart epos – Sosruko, emphasizing his “solar”, “fire” nature. In this connection the paper is aimed at revealing the most ancient mythological conceptions in Sosruko character, related to his chthonian essence, as well as at revealing the sacral, divine nature of the character within the sphere of perception of the preceding epic tradition and cosmogonic conceptions, corresponding by stage to the period of chthonian gods’ omnipotence. The paper applies systemic approach combining the structural-semiotic, historical-cultural and comparative-historic methods, which enables to comprehensively research the epic personage in the structuralsemiotic aspect, in the context of his stage development and comparative-typological characteristics. The paper reveals the complex, ambivalent character of Sosruko, in which, alongside with the traces of solar cult, one may see the signs of the most ancient chthonian god, “the binder”, possessing magic power, connection with the power of “underground fire”, ability to control elements and the cult of “the dying and resurrecting deity”.