The Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Is it possible that having Woland , his suite and the Master and Margarita
leave Moscow on dark horses is an allusion to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
Of course the events in the novel do not exactly mirror the Bible story,
but Bulgakov has twisted Biblical references before.
Bulgakov describes the group mounting black horses that carry the characters
over Moscow and away from the city. They leave behind a trail of fire at
Torgsin, Griboyedov, the evil apartment and the Master's apartment. A storm
surrounds their departure. Woland and his group leave destruction and havoc
in their wake.
The Bible account of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is very disturbing:
...there was a great quake; and the sun became black as sackcloth, the
full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth...the
sky vanished like a scroll that is rolled up, and every mountain and island
was removed from its place...the great day of their wrath has come and who
can stand before it? (??)
Woland did not destroy the earth upon his departure from Moscow nor did
the Muscovites experience a Judgment Day. However, many odd incidents followed
him. Moscow was turned upside down and a great deal of misfortune fell on
many people. Woland does not appear directly responsible for this, but members
of his retinue have played a large role in the chaos. The group has already
shown the gluttony and greed of the Muscovites during their show at the
Variety Theatre, at Griboyedov, and in Torgsin. (Ch.12, Ch.5, Ch.28, Ch.28)
Perhaps the inhabitants of Moscow deserve the destruction and chaos they
experienced.
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