“Dragging the world to its end” Cover Image

„Svět k skonání táhne“
“Dragging the world to its end”

Author(s): Hana Matějková
Subject(s): History
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze - Fakulta humanitních studií
Keywords: early modern period; monstrous births; homiletic literature; folk songs

Summary/Abstract: This study presents Early Modern theological and intellectual debates on monstrosity, in particular in the sphere of the Holy Roman Empire. The study explores transformations and developments of these debates throughout the 16th–18th centuries, maps the sources of their inspiration, as well as their reception within the Czech environment. Based on the analysis of educational texts written and published in Czech language and of Czech-written homiletic literature and folk songs, the author assesses the extent to which monstrous births constituted a subject of wider attention and discussions in the Czech lands. Lastly, the text accentuates similarities and differences in reflection upon this issue from the environment of the Roman Empire.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 203-218
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Czech