Original scientific paper
The Hexameter of Rajmund Kunić in the Light of Modern Theory
Branimir Glavičić
; Faculty of Philosophy, Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
The analysis of relevant rhythmical elements, carried out on chosen samples from Kunić’s translation of Homer’s Iliad, proved that the versification of Rajmund Kunić is a faithful reflection of the classical Roman authors, notably his greatest ideal Vergil. While striving to reach his Antique ideals, Kunić did not seek originality. His verse is disciplined as with most of neo-Latin poets of the time, attuned to the classical standards as their absolute criterion. The main characteristics of Kunić’s hexameter are: the greatly increased percentage (22,40%) of his favored type of hexameter dsss and some patterns recognized as direct influence of Homer’s verse, e. g. the frequency of bucolic diaresis and the end of the verse. Having summarized my study on hexameter of the didactic epic De Solis ac Lunae defectibus by Ruđer Bošković, I have concluded that, owing to his versification, prosodic perfection and metric regularity, Ruđer Bošković occupied an outstanding place in the history of hexameter among the Croatian Latinists. The same evaluation can be equally applied to Rajmund Kunić on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his death.
Keywords
Rajmund Kunić; Iliad; hexameter
Hrčak ID:
239910
URI
Publication date:
20.6.1996.
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