Príležitosť na rozlúčku zosnulých a na útechu pozostalých
An Opportunity to Bid Farewell to the Deceased and to Console the Bereaved

Summary/Abstract: The funeral orations Sorrow Pacified (Žalost upokojená, 1760) by Serafín Pišček and A Strong Woman (Mulier fortis. Žena silná, 1767) by Jozef Nejedlý testify to the development of Slovak literary culture associated with Trnava University. They do not share a unified linguistic form; their language represents the cultivated Western Slovak vernacular, which later served as the basis for Anton Bernolák’s codification of the Slovak language (1787). Both works were composed for the funeral ceremonies of noblewomen. Serafín Pišček dedicated his oration to Terézia Madočány Maťašovská (Mattyasovsky), and Jozef Nejedlý to Františka Ňári (Nyáry). Pišček and Nejedlý prove to be accomplished orators, as evidenced by the coherence of their speeches and the clarity of expression through which they convey their ideas. The persuasiveness of their speeches is reinforced by arguments drawn from both sacred sources (biblical texts, works of Church authorities, writings of Franciscan and Jesuit theologians) and secular ones (historical narratives). Stylistically, they employ exempla with moralistic conclusions and gnomes. Among the principal artistic devices, they most frequently employ figurative expressions mainly inspired by biblical imagery.

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