Nana Kupradze

 Aspects of the Hero's Existential Transformation in Vazha-Pshavela's Poem "Gogoturi and Apshina" In Vazha-Pshavela's poem, the existential transformation of the hero implies the death and rebirth of the personality. The individual simultaneously struggles to give up irrational passions, the usual way of life, and the knowledge of new values. On this path, a person, through self-deepening, sees the world in a new way. In the poem, the transformation of the personality is manifested in the internal conflict that arises when loyalty to traditional mountain morality rises to hostility. The plot of the poem develops around the rivalry and reconciliation between Gogoturi and Apshina, which goes beyond the traditional framework of the topic and is subject to the universal ethical order. Gogoturi refuses to take revenge on Apshina. He finds the strength in himself to rise above hostility and act with stronger moral categories. This incident also prevents Gogoturi from committing a sin and makes her think about Apshina as an ordinary mortal with her own thoughts and worries. Gogoturi's behavior should have been a moral example for Apshina, who had previously lived with radically different values. Gogoturi calculated correctly. Apshina truly analyzes her own life path and becomes convinced that true heroism is not defeating the enemy, but overcoming the enemy's hostile nature, rising above hostility. Forgiveness, trust, turn out to be a greater punishment for Apshina. Conscience, the “revealing mind” awakens in his soul and forces him to abandon the old path. Forgiveness forces Apshina to start a different life. This spiritual struggle and shifts occur independently of him, subconsciously. A true personality is born when a person frees himself from backward collective thinking and takes a step based on post-conventional values. The path to this realization is long and different for each person. Apshina’s final choice, to become a Khevisber, move to Khevsureti and change his faith, is dictated by complete freedom of choice. The new society welcomes him with open arms and brotherhood, moreover, it even grants him the title of Khevisber, giving his transformation a sacred nature, thus proving his rebirth. It is noteworthy that Apshina, who has changed his faith, calls Athanasius (the immortal) whatever he wants. It meant his rebirth. In Christian rituals, changing one's name also expressed a person's choice, his full mobilization to abandon a life based on instincts and embark on a completely different, more difficult, but responsible path of spiritual life. Vazha-Pshavela chooses a humanistic ideal, according to which violence, hostility, hatred can always be replaced by kindness, forgiveness and love.