Turkish Magic and Habsburg Propaganda
Turkish Magic and Habsburg Propaganda

Author(s): Elisabeth Klecker
Subject(s): History, Language and Literature Studies, Cultural history, Customs / Folklore, Studies of Literature, Modern Age, Culture and social structure
Published by: Historický ústav SAV
Keywords: magic; Turkish magic; literature; Habsburg propaganda;
Summary/Abstract: The following study deals with magic as a topic of literature, of heroic poetry in particular; it will be a philological approach, which implies looking for artistic models as well as enquiring why scenes of magic were included at all. Magic commonly involving the underworld is quite deeply rooted in the ancient epic tradition, but for a Christian hero attempts to gain more than human power or knowledge by other means than prayer would hardly seem appropriate. Due to its demonisation magic could, however, be used to denigrate the enemy who by this charge was not only accused of associating with the devil, but also convicted of lack of courage and self-confidence. Examples taken mainly from literature in praise of the Habsburg emperors illustrate how classical models, Christian values and crusading propaganda set the frame for the shaping and development of magical scenes in neo-Latin epics and drama.

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