Original scientific paper
Peace of Mind and True Happinness - Ethical Motives in the Didactic Poem of Benedikt Rogačić
Mijo Korade
; Hrvatski povijesni institut, Beč, Austrija
Abstract
The author begins his paper by reviewing the literature of Benedikt Rogačić, until recently a forgotten ascetic writer and a poet who wrote in Latin. The paper deals with his understanding of ethical issues concerning peace of mind and human happiness, the topics of his poem Euthymia sive de tranquilitate animi (Rome 1690), that had also been considered in the ascetic works Appendice all'Uno necessario (Rome 1708) and Il cristiano raggiustato ne'concetti e costumi (Rome 1711). After a short review of Rogačić's models, the author expounds his views on philosophy and poetry, and his reasons to celebrate the issue of peace of mind in verse. The author describes Rogačić's handling of these topics by contrasting »fortuna« and »euthymia«, i.e. the overcoming of worldly happiness (wealth, fame, and the like), its reversal (grief, pain, disease, misfortune etc.) and insanity or excessive passions (fury, ambition, unreasonable love), and recovery of virtues, wisdom and moderation as means of reaching peace of mind and true happiness. The author also compares Rogačić's philosophical considerations with the thought of his models, first of all Seneca and Stoic philosophers, as well as the more recent poets, philosophers and theologians.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
81992
URI
Publication date:
4.12.1995.
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