Praca w literaturze od antyku po koniec XVII wieku — wybrane ujęcia

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to capture the richness of work forms described in literature from Antiquityto the end of the 17th century. The dominant feature is the presentation of a work image in selectedOld Polish works. Significant for the deliberations is the division verbalized by Sebastian Fabian Klonowic,who, following the ancient authorities, defined what activities can the nobility deal with and whichof them did not belong to its state ethos.The study was divided into three parts. The first presents selected works constituting the state ofresearches on the issue. Second part presents chosen examples of descriptions and opinions about thetopic of work derived from the Bible, mythology and the Classical Literature (especially works od Hesiod,Virgil and Horace). Third part brings closer the images of work portrayed in Polish literature of theRenaissance and the Baroque. Especially there are works connected with a life of nobleman-landowner(landlord), diplomat, peasant and shepherd, slave, soldier, rafter, sailor, miner, steelworker as well asa writer. The study brings closer also chosen examples of theoretical considerations about the topic ofwork by mainly Renaissance thinkers.The topic of work is present in the Old Polish writings representing various literary forms, as well asliterary genres, were created often under the influence of the authority of the ancient literature. Writersonce show strict division of performers and activities motivated by their state affiliation, elsewhere thecooperation of the representatives of various states in a realization of common objective. The study alsoperceives the work of a slave functioning in the Osman Empire in conjunction with the position anddifficulty of the serf peasant.