Metaphorical epithets in the poetry of Rasul Gamzatov

M.N. Nabigulaeva

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Abstract: The significance of this study stems from the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the use of metaphorical epithets in the poetry of R. Gamzatov and the need to explore the methods of their creation and application, considering the morphological, structural, and semantic features of figurative and allegorical descriptions. The scientific novelty of this article lies in its attempt to describe and analyze metaphorical epithets used in R. Gamzatov’s poetry for the first time, revealing their role and importance in the poetic landscape of the late 20th century.
Aim. The study aims to identify and analyze metaphorical epithets in Gamzatov’s poetry, which are a dominant artistic device and a distinctive stylistic feature of his poetics in the 1980s.
Research materials and methods. We use a variety of methods for systematic scientific description, including systematization, comparison, interpretation of analytical results, continuous sampling, and contextual analysis.
The study’s material consists of adjective metaphors found in the poetic texts of R. Gamzatov from the 1980s.
Results. This article examines the use of metaphorical epithets to create vivid and expressive artistic images, portray heroes, phenomena, and the realities of the time, as well as to express the author’s attitude towards current socio-political events in the country. The distinctive themes and topics of metaphorical epithets in R. Gamzatov’s poetry vividly symbolize the socio-political and economic reforms that intensified in the country at the end of the 20th century.
Conclusions. The author’s metaphorical statements during this period were primarily motivated by bitter reflections on the spiritual, political, and economic decline of the country. Using this technique, R. Gamzatov conveys his negative feelings about the outcome of Perestroika through figurative language. showing how it has led to the destruction, impoverishment, and rise of cruelty, commercialism, and apathy in society.

Keywords: R. Gamzatov, Avar poetry of the 1980s, metaphorical epithets, common language and individual metaphors, realities of time, pessimistic motives, imagery, emotional assessment, personification, personification

For citation. Nabigulaeva M.N. Metaphorical epithets in the poetry of Rasul Gamzatov. News of the KabardinoBalkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 1. Pp. 283–292. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-1-283-292

©   Nabigulaeva M.N., 2026

References

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Information about the author

Marzhanat N. Nabigulayeva, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Senior Researcher, G. Tsadasa Institute of Language, Literature and Art, Dagestan Scientific Centre of RAS;
45, M. Gadzhieva street, Makhachkala, 367000, Russia;
nabmar2012@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2841-4665, SPIN-code: 3972-5396

Funding

The study was performed without external funding.