The article discusses differences in the treatment of the Virgilian epyllion by scholars and artists. It also indicates that the work of a translator is the result of the activities in both areas. A few introductory remarks are followed by Polish translation of the story.
This article studies "Do Tytusa M." [To Tytus M.], a poem written by Cyprian Norwid in Paris in February 1857 and first published in 1860 by a popular Warsaw columnist as an excerpt from the album of the painter Tytus Maleszewski. The poem is addressed to the latter and discusses the portrait of Norwid that was to be painted by Tytus M. in pastel to preserve the image of the poet who had lived in exile for years. Norwid’s poem constitutes a peculiar ekphrasis of the work that is yet to be composed, outlining differences in both artists’ approaches to the art of portrait. Serving also as the poet’s peculiar self-portrait, it subtly intertwines the biographical references with mythological allusions (to the scene of Orpheus and Eurydice leaving the land of death), everyday life with artistic ideas, a solemn tone with a familiar and playful note. This poetic study of the portrait is confronted with the studies of faces included in Czarne kwiaty [Black Flowers] commemorating Norwid’s last encounters with Stefan Witwicki, Juliusz Słowacki, etc. Another context is provided by the images of contemporary figures, representatives of the world of politics and culture, published in the press at that time.
This paper deals with one of the most popular ancient myths among the writers of the twentieth century—namely the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Percival Everett, a professor of the University of California, has brought forward a new interpretation of that myth in his novel Frenzy. The main subject-matter is the story of Dionysus based on Euripides’ Bacchae, and narrated by the god’s assistant Vlepo. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice constitutes an interlude within that story. References to Ovid and Virgil can also be found, as Everett has added fragments of Metamorphoses and Georgica to his version of the myth. His interpretation is focused on psychological aspects of the story. Orpheus in Frenzy is a man overpowered by grief and longing. His behaviour seems to be caused by madness. This becomes especially visible when he learns of the loss of Eurydice. At the other hand, Eurydice seems to be confident of herself. She is an active person, not a passive one unlike the ancient authors have depicted her. The novel Frenzy of Percival Everett deserves attention from scholars who study the reception of antiquity.
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