Reflection of Time of Troubles Events in Polish Poetry of the First Quarter of 17^th Century (by Example of Adam Vladislavsky’s Works)

Abstract

The article considers Polish poetry of the first two decades of the 17th century as historical source. Attention is focused on the works of Adam Vladislavsky, Krakow’s craftsman, a representative of the so-called “bourgeois poetry,” which to some extent reflects the events of the time of Troubles in Russia. The work “Lament of the Queen of Moscow” is subjected to a detailed analysis. Translation of the poem into Russian language was made by the author. It is noted that the poem is not so much elegiac but political in character: it is written on behalf of Marina Mnishek and urged compatriots to avenge the wrongs inflicted on her. The characteristic of this poetry as a means of influencing public opinion, the mouthpiece of the propaganda of certain political circles of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of that time is made. It is concluded that the author of analyzed works is not a supporter of any particular political platform, and his view expressed in poetry depended on the rapidly changing conjuncture, which in turn was in close relationship with the patronage of those persons by whose order at one or another time the poems were created.

Keywords

• time of troubles
• muscovite state
• polish-lithuanian commonwealth
• marina mnishek
• sigismund iii
• polish poetry
• adam vladislavsky