Zygmunt Krasinski
Encyclopedia
Count Napoleon Stanisław Adam Ludwig Zygmunt Krasiński (ˈzɨɡmunt kraˈɕiɲskʲi; Paris, France, 19 February 1812 – 23 February 1859, Paris, France), a Polish
count
, is traditionally ranked with Mickiewicz
and Słowacki
as one of Poland's Three National Bards
— the trio of great Romantic
poets who influenced national consciousness during the period of Poland's political bondage.
, of the aristocratic Krasiński family. He studied law at Warsaw University and in Geneva
, where he met Adam Mickiewicz
.
Krasiński was more sociopolitically conservative than the other two poets. He published much of his work anonymously.
He is best known for his philosophical
Messianist
ideas. His drama, Nie-boska Komedia (The Un-Divine Comedy, 1835), portrays the tragedy of an old-world aristocracy
defeated by a new order of communism
and democracy
, and is a poetic prophecy of class conflict
and of Russia's October Revolution
(see also Okopy Świętej Trójcy); and his drama, Irydion (1836), deals, in the context of Christian ethics
, with the struggle of a subjugated nation against its oppressor.
Krasiński's writings from the period are full of frenetic plots, strongly influenced by gothic fiction
and Dante Alighieri
. As the poet's most famous works show, he is most interested in the extreme face of human existence such as hate, desperation or solitude.
Krasiński's Agaj-Han (1834) is also well known in Poland. It is a historical
-poetic novel, though unlike the historical novels which were popular in Poland, such as those of Walter Scott
. Agaj-Han is filled by macabre motives, death and fratricide. Upon human life still exists tragic fate
. Later (1844–1848) he wrote Psalmy Przyszłości (Psalms of the Future), in which Krasiński calls to love and charity
according to Christianity
.
His muse
for many years was Countess Delfina Potocka
(likewise a friend of Frédéric Chopin
), with whom he conducted a romance from 1838 to 1846. Later she continued to be his friend, and he wrote for her Sen Cezary (published 1840) and Przedświt (Dawn's Approach, published 1843). Chopin set a poem by Krasiński as a song (see Polish songs by Frédéric Chopin
).
On 26 July 1843, Krasiński married Polish Countess Eliza Branicka (1820–76).
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
, is traditionally ranked with Mickiewicz
Adam Mickiewicz
Adam Bernard Mickiewicz ) was a Polish poet, publisher and political writer of the Romantic period. One of the primary representatives of the Polish Romanticism era, a national poet of Poland, he is seen as one of Poland's Three Bards and the greatest poet in all of Polish literature...
and Słowacki
Juliusz Slowacki
Juliusz Słowacki was a Polish Romantic poet. He is considered one of the "Three Bards" of Polish literature — a major figure in the Polish Romantic period, and the father of modern Polish drama. His works often feature elements of Slavic pagan traditions, Polish history, mysticism and orientalism....
as one of Poland's Three National Bards
Three Bards
The Three Bards are the national poets of Polish Romantic literature. They lived and worked in exile during the partitions of Poland which ended the existence of the Polish sovereign state...
— the trio of great Romantic
Romantic poetry
Romanticism, a philosophical, literary, artistic and cultural era which began in the mid/late-1700s as a reaction against the prevailing Enlightenment ideals of the day , also influenced poetry...
poets who influenced national consciousness during the period of Poland's political bondage.
Life and work
Krasiński was the son of a general, Count Wincenty KrasińskiWincenty Krasinski
Count Wincenty Krasiński was a Polish nobleman , political activist and military leader.He was the father of Zygmunt Krasiński, one of Poland's Three Bards—Poland's greatest romantic poets.-Life:...
, of the aristocratic Krasiński family. He studied law at Warsaw University and in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, where he met Adam Mickiewicz
Adam Mickiewicz
Adam Bernard Mickiewicz ) was a Polish poet, publisher and political writer of the Romantic period. One of the primary representatives of the Polish Romanticism era, a national poet of Poland, he is seen as one of Poland's Three Bards and the greatest poet in all of Polish literature...
.
Krasiński was more sociopolitically conservative than the other two poets. He published much of his work anonymously.
He is best known for his philosophical
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
Messianist
Messianism
Messianism is the belief in a messiah, a savior or redeemer. Many religions have a messiah concept, including the Jewish Messiah, the Christian Christ, the Muslim Mahdi and Isa , the Buddhist Maitreya, the Hindu Kalki and the Zoroastrian Saoshyant...
ideas. His drama, Nie-boska Komedia (The Un-Divine Comedy, 1835), portrays the tragedy of an old-world aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
defeated by a new order of communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
and democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, and is a poetic prophecy of class conflict
Class conflict
Class conflict is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests between people of different classes....
and of Russia's October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
(see also Okopy Świętej Trójcy); and his drama, Irydion (1836), deals, in the context of Christian ethics
Christian ethics
The first recorded meeting on the topic of Christian ethics, after Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Great Commandment, and Great Commission , was the Council of Jerusalem , which is seen by most Christians as agreement that the New Covenant either abrogated or set aside at least some of the Old...
, with the struggle of a subjugated nation against its oppressor.
Krasiński's writings from the period are full of frenetic plots, strongly influenced by gothic fiction
Gothic fiction
Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled "A Gothic Story"...
and Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...
. As the poet's most famous works show, he is most interested in the extreme face of human existence such as hate, desperation or solitude.
Krasiński's Agaj-Han (1834) is also well known in Poland. It is a historical
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
-poetic novel, though unlike the historical novels which were popular in Poland, such as those of Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
. Agaj-Han is filled by macabre motives, death and fratricide. Upon human life still exists tragic fate
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
. Later (1844–1848) he wrote Psalmy Przyszłości (Psalms of the Future), in which Krasiński calls to love and charity
Charity (virtue)
In Christian theology charity, or love , means an unlimited loving-kindness toward all others.The term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word charity to mean benevolent giving.- Caritas: altruistic love :...
according to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
His muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
for many years was Countess Delfina Potocka
Delfina Potocka
Delfina Potocka, née Komar , a Polish countess, was a friend and muse to noted Polish expatriate artists Frédéric Chopin and Zygmunt Krasiński.-Life:...
(likewise a friend of Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
), with whom he conducted a romance from 1838 to 1846. Later she continued to be his friend, and he wrote for her Sen Cezary (published 1840) and Przedświt (Dawn's Approach, published 1843). Chopin set a poem by Krasiński as a song (see Polish songs by Frédéric Chopin
Polish songs by Frédéric Chopin
Although Frédéric Chopin is best known for his works for piano solo, among his output are a number of songs for voice and piano, set to Polish texts.-Background:...
).
On 26 July 1843, Krasiński married Polish Countess Eliza Branicka (1820–76).
See also
- Great EmigrationGreat EmigrationThe Great Emigration was an emigration of political elites from Poland from 1831–1870. Since the end of the 18th century, a major role in Polish political life was played by people who carried out their activities outside the country as émigrés...
- Hôtel LambertHôtel LambertHôtel Lambert is a hôtel particulier, a grand mansion townhouse, on the Quai Anjou on the eastern tip of the Île Saint-Louis, Paris IVème; the name, Hôtel Lambert, was a sobriquet that designated a 19th-century political faction of Polish exiles, who gathered there.-Architectural history:The house...
- History of philosophy in Poland
- List of Poles