Original scientific paper
THE EARLY BAROQUE "PRODEČTVA" (SERMON) OF PATER BELOSTENEC
Franjo Pajur
; Zagreb / Burgenland
Abstract
Besides the extensive and posthumous dictionary Gazophylacium, the Pauline Ivan Belostenec is also the author of ten sermons linked with The Body Day holiday, probably created in the week of the holiday in 1669, and not between 1662 and 1671. The initial oral version of the sermon probably differed from the printed one, because the latter is characteristic for the numerous Čakavian words and the hybrid language used (Kajkavian-Čakavian with traces of Štokavian) which show that the prodečtva was published in order to be understood by all. This paper is the effort to determine the baroque characteristics of Belostenec's prodečtvas. Firstly, it is considered whether the sermons of pater Belostenec are structured in the typical rhetoric pattern of a baroque sermon that is still relying on the system of antique rhetoric, i.e. are they characteristic for the typical baroque ornatus. On basis of division it may be assumed that Belostenec evidently had rhetoric theoretical principles in mind and in a certain way he was directed by them in structuring his prodečtva partes orationis, with the exception of a specific exordium that differs from the usual pattern being clearly divided from the rest of the sermon with grafically bound introductory and repeated pericope, and with a short summary of the narratio it differs in respect to the usual pattern. In the same manner, as a particularity, pater Ivan allows himself a certain licentia poetica in the translations of biblical quotes, that are rather more like his own paraphrases than literal translations, as is also the case in respect to the stylization of certain biblical examples.
In respect to ornatus, on the other hand, and based on the extention of contact synonims often mentioned in literature, Belostenec's sermons cannot be characterized as work belonging to the mature or high level baroque: by having just one single pelda, several sermons without a single exemplum of baroque structured procédé, the absence of diversified cumulation (cumulatio or amplification), rich allegorical character with symbol quality, i.e. horizontal or vertical anti-ethical value are all characteristics that add to the said assertion. This, of course, does not mean that nature had deprived Belostenec of "pronounced oratorical talents" but rather points to the highly positioned Pavline official, who was restrained in rhetoric and his fear that the baroque richness of attributes and ornaments should outgrow a real sermon. On basis of the elaborated it may be presumed that Belostenec's Body Day sermons belong to early baroque, i.e. with traces of the rich baroque ornatus. However, it is still different in respect to the "golden era" of the Kajkavian baroque (Habdelić's tractates or Zagrebac's sermons), and this was certainly shown by the comparison of Belostenec's exordium with the corresponding Zagrebac's one.
Keywords
Belostenec; baroque sermon; rhetoric pattern; ornatus
Hrčak ID:
84223
URI
Publication date:
28.5.2012.
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