Epic in Russian drama of the XIXth century (exemplified by A.N. Ostrovsky’s plays)

«Epic in drama» and «epic drama» are two problems, the solution of which in modern literary criticism makes it possible to determine the specifics of Russian literature and indicate its place in the world literary process. The study of the special features of A.N. Ostrovsky’s writing proves that in the XIXth century the process of romanization of drama was active, which led to the destruction of the genre canons developed in European culture. In the plays of the Russian playwright, the laws of unity of dramatic action are violated. The author can work with scenes and parts of acts, mastering the forms of epic drama. But most often he shows an event growing out of an undramatic situation, uses a novel type of perception of action, that is, he masters the elements of epic writing.