Törökök az asztalnál, törökök a városban
Turks at the Table, Turks in the City

János Bocatius and the Image of the Turks in Hungary

Summary/Abstract: The study is a close analysis of the image of Turks found in Johannes Bocatius’ Relatio vel epistolica commemoratio. Writing about the negotiations of István Bocskai, prince of Transylvania with the grand vizier at the Rákos field and about his visit to Buda, Bocatius creates a dynamic image of Turks, leading his readers to his point in four steps. The image of the formidable, barbarian Turk is questioned by the experience related to the personal meeting: the Turks are also human beings. This is then modified by the strong experience of foreignness at the meal after the negotiations; and the images of destruction related to Buda make it obvious why a clear distance towards them must be maintained. The image of Turks, created by this follower of Bocskai, who at this occasion accepted Ottoman vassal status, can thus also be read as a political statement.

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