The motif of a vulnerable part of the body in Ossetian epic folklore

Abstract

A motif as one of the most important elements of a plot is always interesting to folklore researchers. The Ossetian epic folklore consists of Narts Sagas, Legends of Tsartsyata and Legends of Daredzanta. The purpose of this study is to analyze the vulnerability motif in Ossetian folklore. The relevance of the study is substantiated by the understudied nature of the motif of the vulnerable place on the invulnerable body of the epic, which is frequent in the Ossetian epic. The novelty of the research lies in the complex consideration of epic folklore, including three known cycles, as well as in the discovery of not only major but also minor plots containing the mentioned motif. The following tasks are being solved in order to achieve this goal: identification of plots containing the motif in question; classification of varieties of vulnerability in Ossetian folklore; attraction of data from some Caucasian national versions of the Narts epic for a more structured analysis; gradation of universal and specific features of the motif's functioning. The study revealed various types of epic hero's vulnerability, noted their connection to the plot in accordance with the performing tradition and variation of the folklore text; revealed the connection of the motif of a vulnerable place on the body of an invulnerable hero with the somatic code of culture. The most vivid examples here are the images of Soslan and Batraz, and the above motif is connected with the plots of birth, hardening and death of heroes. Vulnerability from their own weapons is characteristic of both the Narts and their enemies. At the same time, in Ossetian Narts Sagas there are heroes whose soul is thought to be outside the body, which corresponds to ancient animalistic ideas. This type of vulnerability reveals an Indo-European tripartite nature. The invulnerability achieved by the heroes through miraculous military equipment and armour is conventional and is associated with the armour / chain mail of Tserek (Tserechy zğær) and the helmet of Bidas (Bidasy taka). In the Ossetian epic, in addition to the vulnerability of the physical body, there is a vulnerability of a psychosomatic nature, peculiar to a certain kind of heroes and found in the story of the marriage of Nart Khamyts. Cross-genre analysis of the vulnerability motif in Ossetian folklore as a whole, as well as its comparative study in all Caucasian versions of the Narts epic is promising.

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