ABSTRACT
Like many Russian epics, the one called “Dobrynya Nikitich and Vasily Kazimirovich” opens with a feast at Prince Vladimir’s court. This scene is revealing because it shows how Vladimir consults with the members of his court and how important affairs of state are decided at such gatherings. In this instance, Vladimir asks for someone to take the “taxes and tribute” due for the past twelve years to Tsar Batur Batvyesov. In the translated variant, this name replaces the historical name Khan Batu (died 1255), who was the leader of the Tatar forces during the conquest of Kievan Rus and the early period of Tatar rule. Like Kalin Tsar in the bylina “Ilya Muromets and Kalin Tsar,” Tsar Batur is addressed as “Dog,” perhaps because the dog was a totem for some Tatar clans. The phrase “Polenyetsian land” (line 21), as is the case with many geographical names in Russian epics, is fictitious and merely suggests something foreign. In response to Prince Vladimir’s request for a volunteer to deliver the tribute, all the people, or “ranks,” at the feast fall silent except Vasily Kazimirovich. He “boasts” that he can transport a huge tribute consisting of various items in multiples of the epic number forty. Afterward Vasily has second thoughts about his “bragging” at the feast, perhaps because he has accepted a task that is beneath the dignity of a bogatyr. It should be pointed out that this is the only bylina in which Vladimir is presented as paying tribute for a long time to another ruler. After meeting and becoming sworn brothers, Vasily Kazimirovich and Dobrynya Nikitich persuade Prince Vladimir to renounce paying tribute and instead to demand payment from Tsar Batur. During his meeting with the Russian envoy Vasily, Tsar Batur several times repeats the menacing words “You’ll never leave here alive.” Tsar Batur then proposes three competitions that involve playing chess, cards, or dice, shooting an enormous bow and arrow, or wrestling. Vasily replies that he places his trust in the Mother of God (the Virgin Mary) and in his sworn brother Dobrynya. For his part, Dobrynya each time realizes that the unexplained but assumed conditions are a matter of life or death, and he skillfully manages to overcome all challenges. The third competition turns into an epic battle scene that ends when Tsar Batur promises to send tribute to Prince Vladimir.
