What was Bulgakov's cat's name? - briefly
The cat in Mikhail Bulgakov's novel "The Master and Margarita" is named Behemoth.
What was Bulgakov's cat's name? - in detail
The feline companion of Mikhail Bulgakov, one of Russia’s most revered writers, has become an iconic figure in literary history, often referred to as "Behemoth." This name was bestowed upon the cat by Bulgakov himself, reflecting the writer's penchant for the fantastical and the macabre. The character of Behemoth appears prominently in Bulgakov’s masterpiece "The Master and Margarita," a novel that intertwines themes of faith, love, and the supernatural.
In the narrative, Behemoth is not merely a cat but a manifestation of the devil himself, taking on this feline form as part of his mischievous exploits in Moscow. The choice of name "Behemoth" carries significant weight, as it references ancient mythological figures and biblical creatures, symbolizing chaos and evil. This naming serves to emphasize Bulgakov’s exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and the spiritual struggles that permeate his work.
Despite its sinister origins in the story, the real-life cat owned by Bulgakov was a beloved pet, inspiring the literary incarnation that has captivated readers worldwide. The cat’s actual name in Bulgakov's personal life is not definitively known, but its legacy as Behemoth lives on through the enduring popularity of "The Master and Margarita," cementing it as a timeless symbol in Russian literature.