Alexander and Abrunca, an Encounter of the Self

Abstract

A significant correlation of ancient European literature, old Romanian literature and Romanian folklore is achieved through the motif of the journey as a necessary means of enhancing the individual, as an indispensable way to selfknowledge. An emblematic figure, with a referential impact, which cannot be ignored in these three cultural domains, emperor Alexander (III of Macedon / the Great) travelled the world to look for whatever he could find by himself. He did that like any other hero, any other protagonist that old literature – as bildungs literature – introduces us to: the road without leads to the road within and the individual’s inhanced inner dimensions. In the Romanian folklore, Alexander’s journey is intensely impacted by the encounter with the protecting figure of a mysterious queen: Abrunca.

Keywords

• ancient European literature
• ancient Romanian literature
• Romanian folklore
• the journey as required road in the one’s self-knowledge
• Abrunca