Ošibka smerti di Velimir Chlebnikov e Vesëlaja smert’ di Nikolaj Evreinov

In this article Velimir Khlebnikov`s "Oshibka smerti" and Nikolai Evreinov`s "Veselaia smert'" are compared. We can find various similarities and differences between the two plays. Evreinov’s play includes characters from the Italian commedia dell’arte – Harlequin, Columbine, Pierrot, and the Doctor – and it is based on its love triangle intrigue. Harlequin faces Death with irony and dignity. Death is personified in both plays. Khlebnikov’s piece is closer to Russian traditional knockabout comedy (“balagan”) based on the battle with evil. Both authors use features typical of folk theatre, such as colloquial speech, wordplay, double meaning, misunderstandings, and the absurd. In both plays the Danse Macabre takes on an important role, as well as the motifs of time and feasting. In Evreinov’s play Harlequin dies, while in Khlebnikov’s Death is defeated and dies.