Poetics of metamorphosis in the drama by V. Khlebnikov «Marquise Dezes»: from word-werewolf to world-werewolf

The paper is devoted to the analysis of one of the most significant plays by V. Khlebnikov «Marquise Dezes». It investigates the principal Khebnikovs pun «smerte-smerti» («measure-death») as well as the general laws of Khlebnikovs drama differing from the laws of preceding symbolic drama. In conclusion, the author argues that the Khlebnokovs «smerte» appeal contains a unity of the world; «smerit» (to measure) is to make the world united, extend its links, unite it with death too, thus making way for immortality.