Review article
Religious motifs in the works of Antun Gustav Matoš, Milan Begović and Vladimir Nazor.
Jasna ŠEGO
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Krešimir ŽIŽEK
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
Literature of the twentieth century reflexes complex conditions of modern man, his existence, searching and wonderings, moral, ethical, metaphysical, religious and confessional questions, theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well their overlapping and interweaving. Croatian
writers Matoš, Begović and Nazor practically were peers of the same age, and their literary works have touched various layers of religious, cultural, intimate, and mystical. The chief purpose of this article was to investigate spiritual and religious motifs in their works. In the works of these three authors one can notice various religious themes and motifs, as well some biblical and spiritual associations, Christian iconography, use of biblical characters and Christian symbolism. Moreover, in the works of Matoš, Begović and Nazor many lyrical subjects, narrators and characters have strong lifetime stronghold
in the faith. Antun Gustav Matoš (1874 – 1914), patriot and cosmopolitan, anti-clericalist and adventurer, promoted esthetic principle in literature, at the same time criticizing those who
preferred ethical function of literature. Still, he was quite open towards spirituality, and maintained that faith was a question of personal conscience, and he respected a positive influence of religious education. His works are interwoven with various religious topics
and motifs transferring some deep religious messages. He wrote about Christian Rome, religious feasts (Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christi), and he prized Loyola’s religious exercises. Moreover, his lyrical subjects and narrator expressed a great love towards God,
and in his work homeland is allegorically depicted like a woman who relives the Passion of Christ. Similarly, for him the homeland is man’s connection to God and mankind. Thus, one could state God and faith are strong spiritual strongholds of Matoš. By the same token, in Matoš’s writings one can find many prayer invocations, religious expressions and sayings, as well as many biblical associations and quotations. One can say that for his lyrical subject and narrator faith is undoubtful. Matoš respects richness of the Croatian tradition, spiritual values and strong faith and morality of Croatians.
Milan Begović (1876 – 1948) intensively investigates human emotional world, analyzes bright and dark sides of human nature, elaborates psychological and flirts with erotic topics. He writes about man’s struggle between his body and soul, about sin, remorse,
forgiveness, and Church traditions. Religious reflections are interwoven within thoughts of his characters and their existential realities. In some of his dramas prevail spiritual, religious and mystical atmosphere, and didascalies often contain elements of Christian iconography. Begović promotes Christian values of penance, repentance, forgiveness, love and charity. With his characters, he alludes to some biblical characters, and with his dramatic events he associates on some events in the biblical template. He also affirms
Christian principle of quest for finding own happiness within the happiness of someone else. In the sacral spaces, that occur in Begović’s literary work, there is often atmosphere of peacefulness, spiritual solemnity and God’s love. His work is abundant with frequent
biblical associations (e.g. expulsion of merchants from temple, motif of Christ among beggars, love towards enemies etc.), and his characters – pilgrims do not hide their feelings and thrill when they enter a magnificent church. Work of Vladimir Nazor (1876 – 1949) has many reflections on faith, biblical contents and associations. Lyrical subject in his poetry confess the sins, repents, and expresses piety
(excitement about Virgin Mary, blessing sufferings, hope for God’s help, respect and celebration of beauty of life etc.). In his lyrical subject we can recognize restlessness, doubts, hesitance, but also one can find deep faith and meditativeness. In Nazor’s poetry one can
find prayerful invocations, too. His lyrical subject sometimes is inspired by St Francis, he realizes God’s presence in the order and harmony that rule the nature. Moreover, his lyrical subject often suffers, and his torments are identified with the Passion of Christ, and he achieves spiritual purification through tears. He desires the anointing with oil in order to meet God with dignity. He confesses his sins, cries to God for help, and his soul seeks the Creator. Thus, Nazor embraces phenomenon of mystical. Still, he sometimes opposes God and doubts him. Similarly, he discusses topics of the silence of heaven and God’s wrath in the context of the Doomsday; he thematizes saints and angels, child Jesus, biblical women.
He prays for protection of Sea Star. He is leaving himself to the God’s will. Moreover, he condemns trivialization of Jesus’ role in the history of salvation. Nazor’s lyrical subject is an adventurer, a Christian penitent, a humble petitioner and a visionary. Lyrical subjects, narrators and characters of these three writers – Matoš, Begović and
Nazor – palpitate with subtle religiosity. In them we can recognize religious restlessness, quests, thrills, suffering, regrets, sin, forgiveness, sacrifice, and Christian love as a part of their cultural habitus. Their lyrical subjects, narrators and characters are deeply rooted within Christianity, and as such they encounter difficulties and temptations; through doubts and anxiety they still hold dearly their Christian faith as a pillar of their moral values, high-mindedness, love to one’s neighbor, renunciation, and sacrifice.
Keywords
Spiritual and religious motifs; biblical associations; Matoš; Begović; Nazor
Hrčak ID:
199604
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2017.
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