Characters
Boris
Boris was a Russian prince who died in 1078. He was the grandson of Yaroslav I.
He is used by the author as an example of princely folly (lines 245-50).
Boyan
Boyan was a minstrel and poet who sang in former days about the exploits of the
Russian princes. He does not appear directly in the epic, but is invoked
several times by the author, who praises his skill as a bard. Boyan is a
"nightingale of the times of old."
David of Smolensk
David (d. 1198), brother of Rurik, fought the Kumans in 1183, alongside Rurik's
forces. The author urges him and his brother to avenge the defeat of Igor.
Euphrosyne
Euphrosyne is Igor's wife. She is also called Yaroslavna. She appears late in
the epic and sings a lament to the wind, the river and the sun in which she
reveals her deep love for her husband. She also expresses compassion for Igor's
fallen warriors.
Gzak
Gzak is a Kuman warrior who pursues Igor after he has escaped.
Igor, Prince of Novgorod-Seversk
Igor is the prince who leads the Russians in their attack on the Kumans. He is
depicted as courageous and manly, imbued with a warlike spirit.
He cares deeply for glory and for battle, and has the ability to inspire his men. "It is better indeed to be slain / than to be enslaved," he tells them (96-7). He is prepared either to triumph in battle or die in the process. Igor is also devoted to his brother Vsevolod and very concerned for his welfare in the battle. But on the negative side, he is so eager to pursue his military goals that he fails to see warning signs in nature. Later in the poem he is condemned for being too ambitious. Nonetheless, he is held in high esteem by Russians, because when he escapes from captivity and returns to Russia, the whole Russian land rejoices. Igor is also a family man, with a wife and son who accompany him into battle.
Ingvar of Galich
Ingvar is a prince (d. 1202) to whom the author appeals for assistance in
avenging the Russian defeat.
Izyaslav
Izyaslav was killed in the Battle of Gorodets in 1162, against the Lithuanians.
He is recalled as a brave warrior.
Konchak
A companion of Gzak, Konchak is a Kuman warrior who pursues Igor after Igor's
escape.
Mstislav of Peresopnits
Mstislav (d. 1224), fighting alongside Roman of Galich, conquered many other
nations, and is highly praised by the author.
Mstislav of Tmutorakan
Mstislav (d. 1036) was the brother of Yaroslav I. He is referred to in lines
26-28 as a great warrior.
Oleg, Prince of Chernigov and Tmutorokan
Oleg, also known as Oleg Malglory, was Igor's grandfather, who died in 1115. He
does not appear directly in the epic, but the author recalls him and some of
his deeds. Oleg is blamed for initiating feuds with other Russian princes.
Ovlur
Ovlur is Igor's servant, and he assists Igor in his escape from captivity.
Roman of Galich
Roman (d. 1205) was a powerful warrior. Linked with Mstislav of Peresopnits, he
is praised by the author for subduing many other nations, including Hins,
Lithuanians and Kumans.
Roman of Tmutorakan
Roman (d. 1079) was the brother of Igor's grandfather. He is referred to once
in the epic, in lines 26-28.
Rostislav
Rostislav of Pereyaslval was a prince who was drowned in the River Stugna, a
tributary of the River Dnieper, in 109 3, during a retreat after a battle with
the Kumans.
Rurik of Belgarod
Rurik (d. 1215) was a Russian prince hailed by the...
(This entire section contains 1101 words.)
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author for his military prowess. In 1183, he fought a battle with the Kumans. The author appeals to him for help in avenging Igor's defeat.
Svyatoslav III
Svyatoslav III (d. 1194) is Igor's first cousin. He is the Prince of Kiev and
the most powerful of the Russian nobility. The author presents him as an ideal,
wise ruler. He is feared by the Kumans and has won victories against them,
capturing their leader. For these exploits he is widely praised by many peoples
and nations. In words described as "golden," Svyatoslav rebukes Igor for
behaving rashly and neglecting his duty and causing sorrow for his prince.
Vladimir ofPutivl
Vladimir is Igor's son, who at the age of twelve accompanies his father into
battle. He is mentioned only in passing, when two Kuman warriors consider
whether to kill him because Igor, his father, has escaped. At the end of the
epic, the author includes Vladimir in his final words of praise to the
Christian knights who fight the pagans.
Volodimir, Prince of Pereyaslavl
Volodomir was wounded as he repelled a Kuman attack on Pereyaslavi. He died of
his wounds in 1187.
Vseslav of Polotsk
Prince Vselav of Polotsk (d. 1101) was thought to be a magician. He travels
surrounded by blue mist, and is described as a werewolf. He won a victory over
Novgorod, lost a battle at the River Nemiga, and ruled for a short period in
Kiev. The bard Boyan said of him, "Neither the guileful not the skillful, /
neither bird [not pard],/ can escape God's judgment’’ (676-78).
Vsevelod, Prince of Suzdal
Vsevelod later became Vsevelod III (d. 1212). One of the most powerful princes
of the time, he is praised by the author for the mighty strength of his forces.
(He is not to be confused with Igor's brother, Vsevelod.)
Vsevolod
Vsevolod is the brother of Ingvar. The author appeals to him and his brother to
come to Russia's aid.
Vsevolod, Prince ofTrubchevsk and Kursk
Vsevolod is Igor's brother. He is called Wild Bull or Fierce Bull and is a formidable warrior. It is Vsevolod who urges Igor to begin the military campaign. His troops are ready to ride off to the Kuman lands even before Igor's men are fully prepared, and he is deeply proud of the valor and martial skill of his men. His golden helmet gleaming, he fights valiantly, standing his ground even when the tide turns against the Russians. Immersing himself totally in the battle, he forgets everything else, even his home and his wife. Although he kills many of the enemy, he is eventually taken prisoner. He is hailed at the end of the epic as one of the warriors fighting the pagans.
Yaroslav I
Yaroslav I, known as the Wise, was Igor's great-great-grandfather. He is
referred to in line 25 as one of the men praised by Boyan. He is also referred
to as great. Yaroslav ruled Kiev from 1019 to 1054.
Yaroslav of Galich
Yaroslav (d. 1187) was the father of Igor's wife, Euphrosyne, and therefore
Igor's father-in-law. He is praised as a great military leader who has expanded
his lands and defeated the Hungarians.