Traditional and Innovative Compositional Methods in Lermontov's Dramatic Works

The present article focuses on Lermontov's experiments in the field of the dramatic genre. The formal aspects of his plays, such as the composition, configuration, constellation as well as the role of the hero and the heroine will be analysed here. All plays, including the various versions of Maskarad, will be discussed in chronological order. The analysis aims to reassess the common notion that Lermontov's drama's were only a prelude to his prose. It is argued here that Lermontov made a serious contribution to the development of Russian drama.