Z Mickiewiczowskiego bestiariusza. Owady i robaki w „Dziadach”
From the Bestiary of Adam Mickiewicz. Insects and Bugs in “Dziady”

Summary/Abstract: The article handles the appearances of the motif of insects and bugs in Adam Mickiewicz’s “Dziady” (“The Forefathers”). The term “bug”, no longer used in contemporary animal taxonomy, is in this case meant to be understood both literally and figuratively. Therefore the “protagonists” of the article are not just “nameless” bugs or insects, devoid of typological and species affiliation, as such are not found in Mickiewicz’s work, but rather examples of specific animal species, particularly insects (e.g. furniture beetle, fireflies), frequently referred to by the heroes as “bugs”. The article demonstrates the axiological motivation for the insects’ presence in the play. The insects “participate” in the game between good and evil, truth and falsehood, freedom and dependence. They indicate the value of affection, love, suffering, defiance, and servility.

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