A Polish Renaissance Poet in the City of Antenor

Kochanowski between Padua and Czarnolas

Abstract

The significance of Jan Kochanowski’s three trips to Padua has been discussed more than once in the scholarly literature. The results of these findings are especially of interest to those researchers who focus on source material analysis and recognizing the cultural atmosphere prevailing in the city often referred to as “Antenor’s city.” Padua flourished in the 16th century, influenced by the policies of the Republic of Venice, which sought to make this academic and urban center a recognizable educational destination for young men coming from all over Europe. For the latter, entering an environment of high intellectual and artistic aspirations was often the beginning of brilliant careers, developed after returning to their home countries. The memory of the experiences accumulated during Jan Kochanowski’s stay in Padua also played a major role in shaping his poetic imagination, as evidenced by many of his works, such as Satyr albo dziki mąż [Satyr or the Wild Man], Odprawa Posłów greckich [The Dismissal of the Greek Envoys], and a cycle of epigrams. In the latter, the image of a linden tree gained a special place, around which Kochanowski organized the space of the real and the poetic worlds. The author’s aim include a search for any Italian sources for this motif, and ponders other possible inspirations, which might be awaiting deeper analysis in future research, going beyond consideration of Italianism in the works of the master of Czarnolas.