Władza pod piórem… Zmiany w przedstawianiu postaci Napoleona w polskiej poezji z okresu Księstwa Warszawskiego
Writing Power… Changes in the Presentation of Napoleon in Polish Poetry from the Period of the Duchy of Warsaw

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to present the creation process of Napoleon’s figure in Polish poetry from the period of the Duchy of Warsaw. It presents how the perception of his power changed depending on the political situation. The article also points out the influence of culture and religion on creating the figure of a ruler. Examples of poetry relating to historical events such as the treaties of Tilsit or the defeat during the Moscow campaign show how the social mood and attitude to power have changed. The analysis of the poetic language and connections with various areas of culture were crucial for creating the figure of Napoleon as a ruler. Poets like Wincenty Turski, Franciszek Wężyk and Jozef Skorkowski focus on the military merit of Napoleon. They use metaphors and other stylistic devices related to the sphere of the sacred and to the Greek and Roman mythology. Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz and Kajetan Koźmian in their poems describe images of death and defeat of marching devastated troops. All in all, in Polish poetry from the period of the Duchy of Warsaw we can compare the portrait of a successful ruler with that of a failing one.

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