Ukrainian Demonology in The Works of Taras Shevchenko (Based on The Ballads "Prychynna" And "Utoplena")

Abstract

The article analyzes demonological motifs in the works of Taras Shevchenko, focusing on his ballads "Prychynna" and "Utoplena". It is shown that folk demonology occupies an important place in the poet's artistic world, as the images of rusalkas, witches, otherworldly spirits, and tragic souls not only reflect folklore beliefs but also fulfill symbolic and psychological functions. It is noted that Shevchenko's ballads represent one of the earliest examples of an organic synthesis of literary tradition with the archaic beliefs of Ukrainians.
In "Prychynna" the image of the rusalkas embodies the boundary between the world of the living and the dead, while also reflecting the tragedy of a girl deprived of love and community support. In contrast, in "Utoplena" the emphasis shifts to the tragic female fate and the moral consequences of social injustice, which are transformed into the demonological motif of turning into a rusalka.
It is observed that the demonological images in the ballads are not presented as independent fantastic beings but become artistic markers of the characters' psychological states and symbols of the folk worldview. It is argued that by employing folk demonological concepts, Shevchenko imbues them with new meaning: they serve not only as an explanation of the incomprehensible but also as a tool for interpreting moral and social issues.
The study also emphasizes that the interpretation of demonological motifs in Shevchenko's works contributes to a deeper understanding of his poetics, where elements of folkloric symbolism are combined with profound lyrical content.