Смерть Сергея Есенина. Было ли убийство? / Егор Яковлев и Григорий Прядко | COFYT

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Смерть Сергея Есенина. Было ли убийство? / Егор Яковлев и Григорий Прядко | COFYT

The speakers addressed conspiracy theories about Sergei Yesenin's death by systematically examining the available evidence and comparing it to established forensic and investigative procedures. They presented several key pieces of evidence to support their conclusion of suicide:

Forensic Analysis: The speakers referenced the official autopsy report by forensic expert Alexander Gelerievsky, which concluded that Yesenin died from asphyxiation due to strangulation in a noose. They highlighted that Gelerievsky's report, despite being criticized by some, was deemed consistent with the norms of the time by later experts. They also noted that the report detailed the presence of a strangulation mark (strangulation furrow) consistent with hanging and not manual strangulation or shooting.
Scene of the Crime Analysis: The speakers analyzed photographs from the scene, pointing out that the room was found locked from the inside, with an overturned stool and the poet's body hanging from a pipe. They demonstrated how Yesenin, given his height and the available furniture, could have reached the pipe and secured the noose himself. They also addressed the controversial "black spot" on Yesenin's forehead, explaining it as a pressure mark from contact with the hot heating pipe, not a gunshot wound, supported by experimental studies and the nature of the mark itself.
Yesenin's Mental and Physical State: The speakers detailed Yesenin's history of depression, alcoholism, and multiple suicide attempts, including one just before his death. They presented his own writings and accounts from contemporaries that depicted his despair and suicidal ideations, such as his poem "The Black Man" and his self-identification with Svidrigailov from Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," a character who ultimately commits suicide.
Testimonies of Contemporaries: While acknowledging that some testimonies were given much later, the speakers highlighted that many of Yesenin's close friends and literary acquaintances, who were with him in his final days, did not express doubts about the suicide. They specifically mentioned Anna Akhmatova and Maxim Gorky, who understood Yesenin's state of mind and accepted the suicide as a consequence of his struggles.
Lack of Evidence for Murder: The speakers contrasted the detailed evidence supporting suicide with the absence of credible evidence for murder. They argued that any hypothetical scenario of murder would require a much more complex and elaborate staging, which is not supported by the available facts. They also pointed out that the Soviet authorities, if they had wanted to eliminate Yesenin, would have likely done so through more direct and less convoluted means, given their methods of dealing with perceived enemies.

By systematically examining these points, the speakers aimed to dismantle the conspiracy theories and provide a comprehensive, evidence-based explanation for Yesenin's death as a tragic suicide resulting from severe mental health issues and addiction.

The speakers interpret Yesenin's poem "The Black Man" as a crucial piece of evidence and a profound reflection of his state of mind leading up to his death. They argue that it serves as a "last testament" or a "pre-death message" that foreshadowed and explained his impending suicide.

Here's how they interpret it:

A Cry of Despair and Illness: The poem is seen as a direct expression of Yesenin's intense psychological suffering, his battle with alcoholism, and his declining mental health. Lines like "Friend, friend, I am sick and terribly sick" and descriptions of feeling unwell, tormented, and unable to escape inner demons are highlighted as clear indicators of his inner turmoil.
Personification of Destructive Forces: The "Black Man" in the poem is interpreted as a personification of Yesenin's own destructive impulses, his alcoholism, his inner demons, and perhaps his failing mental state. This figure torments him, judges him, and represents the overwhelming force driving him towards self-destruction.
Foreshadowing His Fate: The speakers suggest that the poem encapsulates Yesenin's awareness of his own decline and his premonition of death. They believe he was writing about his own impending demise and the forces that would lead him to it.
A "Last Testament": The poem is presented not as a note in the traditional sense, but as a deeply personal and artistic "last testament." It's where he "told everything about himself and revealed the secret of his future death." The cyclical nature of the poem, returning to the initial state of sickness and torment, mirrors the perceived inescapable nature of his condition.
Reflecting His Personal Struggles: The poem's narrative, which includes references to betrayal, loneliness, and self-condemnation, aligns with the biographical details of Yesenin's life, such as his failed relationships, his struggles with his family, and his feelings of isolation. The speakers connect specific lines to his personal experiences, such as his relationship with Isadora Duncan and his doubts about his son's paternity.

In essence, the speakers view "The Black Man" not merely as a literary work but as a psychological confession and a prophecy, offering a direct insight into Yesenin's internal state and his ultimate decision to end his life.