Samuil Marshak is deservedly considered one of the best Russian poets and translators. Translating poetry has been his favorite pastime since childhood. And every year, as a translator, he improved and changed.
Instructions
Step 1
One of Marshak's favorite Scottish poets was Robert Burns. He was engaged in the translation of his works from the 30s until the end of his life. Robert Burns is deservedly called the great poet of Scotland. In his works, he reflected his love for the Motherland and faith in a happy life in his native land. He described everything that surrounded him: a girl on the road, parting or meeting lovers, a soldier who returns home. Marshak perfectly managed to convey the songwriting and lively lyricism of Burns's works, although it was very difficult. The great poet worked on the translation of such poems: "You left me, Jamie …", "Descendant of the Stuarts", "In the fields in the snow and rain", "John Barleycorn" and others. For the delightful translations of Burns Marshak was awarded the title of honorary citizen of Scotland …
Step 2
The most significant translation work was the work on Shakespeare's sonnets. He worked on them for many years. The translation of the sonnets was released in full in 1948. And a year later they were awarded a state prize. The cycle of sonnets contains 154 poems. Marshak managed to very simply, naturally and clearly convey the complex system of Shakespearean images. One critic rightly noted that the translator managed to translate not only from language to language, but also from style to style. Marshak's great merit is that he was able to convey the spirit of Shakespeare's poetry and the very ideology of the author.
Step 3
Samuil Marshak did not deprive his attention of Ukrainian poets either. In particular, Lesya Ukrainka. She was especially close to him for her freedom-loving motives, high citizenship and attitude to the word as a weapon. For the first time he began to translate the Ukrainian poetess in 1944. The first translated work is "Cherries". This was followed by the following translations: "My word, why did you not become …", "Who told you that I am fragile …".
Step 4
All his life Marshak lived with the dream of publishing a book of poems by William Black in his own translation. Very often he mentioned his desire in letters to friends. Marshak himself considered Black to be an outstanding poet, whom almost no one knows. He wanted to introduce a boy with his publication”,“King Gwynne”,“Shepherd”,“Laughing Echoes”.
