A.S. Griboedov's comedy ''Woe from Wit'' in English-language periodicals and researches

The English-language reception of A.S. Griboedov's works has over a 150-years long history represented by dictionaries and theses, critiques and translations of his most well-known comedy "Gore ot uma" (Woe from Wit). The early data on Griboedov were mainly of biographic character, they were included in dictionaries and surveys on Russian literature. Among the first studies on Griboedov's comedies in English were books by M. Baring, L. Wiener, M.J. Olgin, etc. In the studies by H. Carter, J.T. Chipley and A.G. Mazour published in the 1920-50s in the USA Griboedov's name was mentioned in connection with history of the Russian theatre. Beside dictionaries and collections of Russian classics there were works devoted to certain aspects within the literary tradition appealing to Griboedov as well. In British literature studies researches on the diplomatic activity of Griboedov and circumstances of his death were popular, as there was a probability of British Secret Services connection with the revolt in Persia. American researchers also studied the problem of Griboedov's support and participation in the Decembrist Movement. At last there appeared special theses on Griboedov as a writer: by Simon Karlinsky, Michael Katz, George Kalbouss and Mary Hobson. At the same time articles of informative character are still published. In the 2000s interest to Griboedov's diplomatic activity renews. A number of books are published in Great Britain, Griboedov's name is again mentioned in the British press. Within recent years there are theses revealing the cultural and sociological interest to Griboedov's comedy in the USA. Thus, it is obvious that the interest to Griboedov's personality and writings which has been rather steady for more than a century and a half is up to date again in recent decades resulting in new translations of "Gore ot uma" published, theatrical performances in Britain, numerous reviews and comments. It should still be noted that Griboedov's writing itself is a rare subject of a separate research, more often it is studied in the context of Russian literature as a whole. Besides, the English-language reception obviously lacks a uniform idea of Griboedov and his dramatic art. It is proved by various attempts of interpreting the image of Chatsky, the main character of the comedy, as well as by comparing the comedy with various works of world classics.

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