Hidden meanings in Mácha’s cosmic verses: The metaphysics of light Cover Image

Skryté významy v Máchových kosmických verších: Metafyzika světla
Hidden meanings in Mácha’s cosmic verses: The metaphysics of light

Author(s): Martin Z. Pokorný
Subject(s): Philosophy, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Czech Literature
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Ústav pro českou literaturu
Keywords: Karel Hynek Mácha; obraz slunce; metafyzika světla; touha po absolutnu; Bůh; matka příroda; moderní člověk; empirismus; skepticismus; nihilismus; věčná pouť; existencialismus

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to clarify the evolution of the imagery of the sun in Mácha’s work. Mácha describes the world through the contrast of light and darkness, where the image of light is associated with the sun, day, life, beauty, love, and joy — and where the image of darkness is associated with night (the absence of the sun), death, loneliness, and sadness. In Mácha’s work, the sun is a sensory expression of perfect spiritual light, which is the source of goodness, harmony and universal love, meaning, and happiness. And man, wandering in the darkness of the earthly world, infinitely longs for this spiritual light. Ultimately, his protagonists discover that absolute light is unattainable, yet they still constantly long for it and perpetually seek it.

  • Issue Year: 74/2026
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 303-332
  • Page Count: 30
  • Language: Czech
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