Abstract: This article makes an attempt to determine semantic and value distinctions of epic poems written by L. N. Tolstoy for pedagogical project “Azbuka” (an alphabet book) from authentic epic songs of the Russian people, as well as trace the influence of Tolstoy’s interpretation upon the reception of epos in the Russian educates society of the late XIX century. Substituting the epic Niola with the titanic “working man” Mikula, Tolstoy corrects the original concept of the epic poem by counterpoising Svyatogor and Mikula Selyanovich, reflecting the social class conflict of aristocracy and the commoners. The poetic tale of Lev Tolsytoy “Volga and Mikula” presents his ideal of the peaceful worker, who does not resist the evil of the provider, and whose work and meekness hold the society together. This ideal advances the previously unfamiliar to Russian epic consciousness values: sacralization of agricultural work, avoidance of military life and governance of the state, as well as exclusive value of peasant origin. Tolstoy’s image of the “working man” was received is chrestomathies of F, Buslaev and A. Galakhov, works of V. Avenarius, M. Vrubel, K. Balmont and N. Roerich.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the axiological worldview of the Russian epos, while the subject is value focus of the epic character (namely the Three Bogatyrs in the Kievan-Rus' epic poem cycle). Main attention is given to changeability of inner world of the epic poem (bylina) characters, substantiated by the bard’s representation on the presence of causal relationship of the hero’s specific motives with his actions and consequences of these actions. The author interprets the particular themes that comprise the variants of epic poems, as a sensible artistic solution of a storyteller aimed at realization of the genre function of bylina and dictated by the parameters of communication situation. The article uses the method of axiological analysis of epic poems, examining the difference of assessments of the epic character, bard, and listener. For each of the analyzed epic poems, the author determines: the vector of inner conflict (specific weakness or passion that overwhelms a character and he has to fight; usually it is what evokes sympathy in the listener); moment of captivity with sinful desire; moment of committing a wrongful action; demonstration of the effect of religious law that links crime with punishment; punishment of the hero – repentance or demise. The author’s contribution consists in the axiological determination of epic motif alongside principles of the new classification of bylina themes, as well as the statement that the goal of a bard lies in changing value coordinates of the same action of the character in mind of a listener. It is concluded that the traditional act of performing an epic poem could begin with selection of a set of themes by a bard, based on his own assessment of the weak and strong sides of the listeners, their age, profession, social and family status.