SEMANTIC GALLICISMS: FOOLISHNESS AND WIT IN WOE FROM WIT

Abstract

This article examines certain ephemeral semantic Gallicisms in Russian literature of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, focusing primarily on the semantic nuances of the words ‘ум/wit’ and ‘stupidity’ in the comedy Woe from Wit. It is demonstrated that the French connotations of these words explain the meaningful name of Molchalin and that the word ‘ум’ in the comedy retains the French meaning of ‘esprit’. French parallels have been found for certain verses in Griboyedov’s comedy. Analogies with Moliere’s comedies are indicated.