Andrejs Pumpurs

The epic poem about the legendary hero Lacpleses or The Bear-Slayer is most fascinating but also complex. Lacplesis was chosen by the gods so he could become a hero to his people. This poem was written by Latvian poet Andrejs Pumpurs from 1872 to 1887. An Adopted Son In the poem Lacplesis is the adopted son of the Lord of Lielvarde and he shows his strength by killing a bear ripping its jaws apart with his bare hands. While at the castle of the Lord Aizkrauklis Lacplesis sneaks peeks at the activities