When the Tsar Was a God and the Scientist Was a Poet Cover Image

Kiedy car był bogiem, a uczony – rymopisem
When the Tsar Was a God and the Scientist Was a Poet

Author(s): Krystyna Chojnicka
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Russian Literature, 17th Century, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej
Keywords: empire; poetry; sacralization; baroque; society; scientist;

Summary/Abstract: The article is about the phenomena of sacralization of the ruler in Russian literature of the 17th century. This phenomenon can be traced in the work of Michael Lomonosov. This exceptional polymath, scientific entrepreneur and pioneer of industry, among his contemporaries was primarily recognized as a poet. Among his literary works panegyric singing the praises of the ruling monarch was dominant. He compares the Tsar to God or directly gifts him with God-like characteristics. In his baroque poetry, he uses the picture of the ruler as a mythological god. This article grounds this literary heritage in the social context in which it was created and describes the functions that such literature plays. Finally, the article discusses the motives that Lomonosov had to pursue this type of poetry.

  • Issue Year: 66/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 53-66
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish