Summary of Poltava by Alexander Pushkin

Tsar Peter the Great is the ruler of Russia during the time of the Battle of Poltava. He is a formidable and ambitious leader who seeks to expand his empire. Peter the Great faces betrayal from his ally, Ivan Mazepa, which ultimately leads to the decisive battle.

Charles XII of Sweden is a powerful and charismatic monarch who allies himself with Ivan Mazepa against Tsar Peter the Great. He is a key figure in the Battle of Poltava, leading the Swedish forces against the Russian army in a bid for dominance in Eastern Europe.

Pushkin's Poltava begins with the protagonist, Mazepa, challenging his rival, Ivan Mazepa, to a duel. The two men engage in a fierce battle, with Mazepa emerging victorious. This sets the stage for the rest of the story, as Mazepa's victory over Ivan Mazepa is seen as a turning point in their rivalry.

After defeating Ivan Mazepa in the duel, Mazepa is betrayed by his own people. His trusted friend, Dorosh, turns against him and joins forces with Ivan Mazepa. This betrayal sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Mazepa's downfall.

The climax of the story is the epic Battle of Poltava, where Mazepa and his forces face off against Ivan Mazepa and his army. The battle is intense and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy losses. In the end, Mazepa emerges victorious, but at a great cost.

After the Battle of Poltava, Mazepa is forced to retreat with his remaining forces. He is pursued by Ivan Mazepa and his army, leading to a series of harrowing and suspenseful encounters as Mazepa tries to evade capture. The retreat is a desperate struggle for survival for Mazepa and his men.

In the end, Mazepa is captured by Ivan Mazepa and his forces. He is taken prisoner and brought before Ivan Mazepa, who seeks to exact his revenge on his rival. Mazepa is defiant in the face of his captors, refusing to show any weakness or remorse.

Mazepa is put on trial by Ivan Mazepa, who accuses him of treason and betrayal. Mazepa defends himself with courage and eloquence, but ultimately he is found guilty and sentenced to death. The trial is a tense and dramatic scene, with Mazepa's fate hanging in the balance.

Despite his best efforts to appeal his sentence, Mazepa is executed by Ivan Mazepa and his forces. His death is a tragic and poignant moment in the story, as Mazepa meets his end with dignity and courage. The execution of Mazepa marks the end of his epic saga.

Despite his defeat and death, Mazepa's legacy lives on in the hearts of his followers. He is remembered as a hero and a martyr, who fought valiantly for his beliefs and his people. The story of Mazepa's rise and fall is a timeless tale of courage, betrayal, and redemption.