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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
[[File:Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death.jpg|thumb|Title page of ''Śmierci z Mistrzem dwojakie gadania...'' (contains ''Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death''), Maciej Scharffenberg edition, ca. 1542]]
[[File:Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death.jpg|thumb|Title page of ''Śmierci z Mistrzem dwojakie gadania...'' (contains ''Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death''), Maciej Scharffenberg edition, {{circa}} 1542]]
'''Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death''' ({{lang-pl|Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią}}, {{lang-la|De morte prologus, Dialogus inter Mortem et Magistrum Polikarpum}}) is a late [[Middle Ages|medieval]] dialog in verse, written probably in the early 15th century. Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death is now regarded as one of the most important examples of [[medieval poetry]] in the [[Polish language]].
'''Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death''' ({{langx|pl|Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią}}, {{langx|la|De morte prologus, Dialogus inter Mortem et Magistrum Polikarpum}}) is a late [[Middle Ages|medieval]] dialog in verse, written probably in the early 15th century. Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death is now regarded as one of the most important examples of [[medieval poetry]] in the [[Polish language]].


Its author is unknown, but after discovering the complete, printed version from 1542, some [[historian]]s speculate that [[Mikołaj Rej]] rewrote the original text for print.
Its author is unknown, but after discovering the complete, printed version from 1542, some [[historian]]s speculate that [[Mikołaj Rej]] rewrote the original text for print.


One of the unique features of the work is its use of [[humour]]. The dialog mocks monks and priests, inn-keepers, fat women, dishonest physicians and unjust judges. The work is patterned after the 12th century [[Latin]] poem ''Dialogus mortis cum homine'', and other such Latin-language publications popularin medieval Europe.
One of the unique features of the work is its use of [[humour]]. The dialog mocks monks and priests, inn-keepers, fat women, dishonest physicians and unjust judges. The work is patterned after the 12th century [[Latin]] poem ''Dialogus mortis cum homine'', and other such Latin-language publications popular in medieval Europe.


== Versions ==
== Versions ==
The original version of the [[dialogue]] has been lost; what remains is an incomplete copy from {{circa}} 1463-1465, belonging to Mikołaj of Mirzyniec (Mikołaj z Mirzyńca). The ending of the work was known due to its 16th century [[Russian language|Russian]] [[translation]]. It has 498 lines, and presents the everyday life of members of different social classes in 15th century [[Poland]].
The original version of the [[dialogue]] has been lost; what remains is an incomplete copy from {{circa}} 1463–1465, belonging to Mikołaj of Mirzyniec (Mikołaj z Mirzyńca). The ending of the work was known due to its 16th century [[Russian language|Russian]] [[translation]]. It has 498 lines, and presents the everyday life of members of different social classes in 15th century [[Poland]].


A formerly unknown printed edition of ''Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią'' (''Master Polikarp’s Dialogue with Death'') from 1542 (Cracow, Maciej [[Scharffenberg family|Scharffenberg]]) has been discovered in one of the European university libraries.<ref name="a">{{Cite web | url=https://instytutksiazki.pl/en/news,2,professor-wydra%E2%80%99s-great-discovery,1307.html |title=Professor Wydra’s Great Discovery | publisher = The Polish Book Institute | date= July 3, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The discovery was made by Professor Wiesław Wydra from the Institute of Polish Philology at [[Adam Mickiewicz University]] in [[Poznań]].<ref name="a"/> In the contrast to the previously known version of the dialogue from the Płock manuscript, this text has been preserved in its entirety.<ref name="a"/>
A formerly unknown printed edition of ''Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią'' (''Master Polikarp’s Dialogue with Death'') from 1542 (Cracow, Maciej [[Scharffenberg family|Scharffenberg]]) has been discovered in one of the European university libraries.<ref name="a">{{Cite web | url=https://instytutksiazki.pl/en/news,2,professor-wydra%E2%80%99s-great-discovery,1307.html |title=Professor Wydra’s Great Discovery | publisher = The Polish Book Institute | date= July 3, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The discovery was made by Professor Wiesław Wydra from the Institute of Polish Philology at [[Adam Mickiewicz University]] in [[Poznań]].<ref name="a"/> In the contrast to the previously known version of the dialogue from the Płock manuscript, this text has been preserved in its entirety.<ref name="a"/>


This discovery, with a complete Polish text of 918 verses, was the most important event in Polish language and literature scholarship for several decades.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/full-text-of-polish-literatures-oldest-masterpiece-found-1138 | title=Full text of Polish literature’s oldest masterpiece found | last=Nowacki | first = Aleksander | publisher = The first news | date= July 14, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The critical edition of the discovered text has been published by prof. Wiesław Wydra and became available on 7 November 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://psp.amu.edu.pl/?type=news&id_asset=1150 | title=Niezwykłe odkrycie | publisher = Wydawnictwo "Poznańskie Studia Polonistyczne" UAM | date=July 3, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>
This discovery, with a complete Polish text of 918 verses, was the most important event in Polish language and literature scholarship for several decades.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/full-text-of-polish-literatures-oldest-masterpiece-found-1138 | title=Full text of Polish literature’s oldest masterpiece found | last=Nowacki | first = Aleksander | publisher = The first news | date= July 14, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The critical edition of the discovered text has been published by prof. Wiesław Wydra and became available on 7 November 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://psp.amu.edu.pl/?type=news&id_asset=1150 | title=Niezwykłe odkrycie | publisher = Wydawnictwo "Poznańskie Studia Polonistyczne" UAM | date=July 3, 2018 | access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>
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== Characters ==
== Characters ==
* Master Polikarp – a well-educated person
* Master Polikarp – a well-educated person
* Death – pale, skinny, bald, yellowish, without nose and lips, showing its ribs, naked, a rotten kind of a woman; it holds a scepter in its hands, and its appearance reminds the reader that [[life is short]], and that after death, human bodies decay
* Death – pale, skinny, bald, yellowish, without nose and lips, showing its ribs, naked, a rotten kind of a woman; it holds a scythe in its hands, and its appearance reminds the reader that [[life is short]], and that after death, human bodies decay
{{expand section|date=November 2018}}
{{expand section|date=November 2018}}


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* [[Old Polish]]
* [[Old Polish]]
* [[Danse Macabre]]
* [[Danse Macabre]]
* [[Death (personification)]]
* [[Personifications of death|Death (personification)]]
* [[Morana (goddess)]]
* [[Morana (goddess)]]
* [[Santa Muerte]]
* [[Santa Muerte]]
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[[Category:Christian art about death]]
[[Category:Christian art about death]]
[[Category:Dialogues]]
[[Category:Dialogues]]
[[Category:History of Poland]]
[[Category:15th century in Poland]]
[[Category:Medieval Polish literature]]
[[Category:Medieval Polish literature]]
[[Category:15th-century poems]]
[[Category:15th-century poems]]

Latest revision as of 19:46, 1 November 2024

Title page of Śmierci z Mistrzem dwojakie gadania... (contains Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death), Maciej Scharffenberg edition, c. 1542

Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death (Polish: Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią, Latin: De morte prologus, Dialogus inter Mortem et Magistrum Polikarpum) is a late medieval dialog in verse, written probably in the early 15th century. Master Polikarp's Dialog with Death is now regarded as one of the most important examples of medieval poetry in the Polish language.

Its author is unknown, but after discovering the complete, printed version from 1542, some historians speculate that Mikołaj Rej rewrote the original text for print.

One of the unique features of the work is its use of humour. The dialog mocks monks and priests, inn-keepers, fat women, dishonest physicians and unjust judges. The work is patterned after the 12th century Latin poem Dialogus mortis cum homine, and other such Latin-language publications popular in medieval Europe.

Versions

[edit]

The original version of the dialogue has been lost; what remains is an incomplete copy from c. 1463–1465, belonging to Mikołaj of Mirzyniec (Mikołaj z Mirzyńca). The ending of the work was known due to its 16th century Russian translation. It has 498 lines, and presents the everyday life of members of different social classes in 15th century Poland.

A formerly unknown printed edition of Rozmowa Mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią (Master Polikarp’s Dialogue with Death) from 1542 (Cracow, Maciej Scharffenberg) has been discovered in one of the European university libraries.[1] The discovery was made by Professor Wiesław Wydra from the Institute of Polish Philology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.[1] In the contrast to the previously known version of the dialogue from the Płock manuscript, this text has been preserved in its entirety.[1]

This discovery, with a complete Polish text of 918 verses, was the most important event in Polish language and literature scholarship for several decades.[2] The critical edition of the discovered text has been published by prof. Wiesław Wydra and became available on 7 November 2018.[3]

Characters

[edit]
  • Master Polikarp – a well-educated person
  • Death – pale, skinny, bald, yellowish, without nose and lips, showing its ribs, naked, a rotten kind of a woman; it holds a scythe in its hands, and its appearance reminds the reader that life is short, and that after death, human bodies decay

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Professor Wydra's Great Discovery". The Polish Book Institute. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  2. ^ Nowacki, Aleksander (14 July 2018). "Full text of Polish literature's oldest masterpiece found". The first news. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Niezwykłe odkrycie". Wydawnictwo "Poznańskie Studia Polonistyczne" UAM. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.

Sources

[edit]
  • Polska poezja świecka XV wieku, oprac. M. Włodarski, Wrocław - Warszawa - Kraków 1997, BN I, 60.
  • "Śmierci z Mistrzem dwojakie gadania…". Nieznany drukowany przekaz "Rozmowy mistrza Polikarpa ze Śmiercią" z 1542 r., wydał Wiesław Wydra, Poznań 2018.
[edit]
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