Philosophical and Psychological Aspects of Vazha-Pshavela’s Poems

Abstract

Existential philosophy has deeply penetrated the realm of art. In the 19th century, fiction was particularly distinguished in this regard, as existentialism sought to explore the essence of human life. Existential thinkers devoted primary attention to understanding the nature of human existence. As such, fiction was philosophically closest to existential inquiry.

Existentialists acknowledged the individual's solitude, abandonment in the world, and opposition to society. They also recognized both the conscious and unconscious human tendency to understand oneself, to discover the true self, and to attain freedom — which they regarded as the key to truth. Furthermore, they explored the methods through which an individual could achieve this goal.

These issues are directly related to psychology, as understanding human nature — especially the unconscious — represents a profoundly complex challenge, one that literature often strives to address.

It is also acknowledged that realism contributed to a deeper exploration of human existence. Many agree that fiction, through artistic imagery, conveys the inner processes of the human soul in a more precise and emotionally resonant manner than the dry, categorical language of scientific disciplines.

The new Georgian literature of the 19th century, in addition to addressing everyday social issues, also devoted considerable attention to similar existential concerns. In this context, Vazha-Pshavela stands out as a writer who transformed the problem of human existence into the subject of artistic expression.

In Georgian literary criticism, Vazha-Pshavela has received relatively little attention as an existentialist writer. Yet the early stages of existential thought can be found in earlier Georgian literature. For example, the works of Romanticists abound with existential themes. It may be said that they laid the groundwork for the more comprehensive development of this problem in later periods.

This paper examines certain aspects of this issue that establish a parallel with existential philosophy. It is also noteworthy that many conclusions later formalized as categories by existential philosophers had already appeared in artistic form in the works of Vazha-Pshavela. These include themes such as human solitude, alienation from the world, profound spiritual crisis or transformation, and the discovery of the true self. The subject of this study is dedicated to exploring these very issues.