Топос скривене милостиње у старој српској књижевности
Loading...
Date
2013
Authors
Advisor
Editor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM
Title alternative
The Topos of Clandestine Charity in Medieval Serbian Literature
Abstract
Charity and almsgiving, as the religious and socialact of philanthropy and concern for the
salvation of the soul, were one of the obligatory and permanent duties of rulers in the Middle
Ages. Serbian medieval rulers were known for their numerous charitable donations to the
poor, sick, old, widows, pilgrims, needy, as well as builders of churches, monasteries, hospitals. Many of these charitable deeds of the Serbian rulers became the subject of Serbian
medieval literature. The topos of clandestine charity was particularly popular, since it well
represented the beneficence and clemency of Serbianrulers, their piety and their respect for
the poor. Disguised as beggars, several Serbian rulers (particularly Milutin, Stefan Dečanski,
and Stefan Lazarević) were helping the poor by night, by giving them alms. These topoi are
observed in hagiographies and church poetry, as well as in folklore and mythology. The hero
in the beggar’s clothing is related to the international story model of deities or demons that
travel the world and test the people.
Description
Sponsor
Keywords
topoi, clandestine charity, old Serbian literature, Serbian medieval rulers, almsgiving, the poor, folklore
Citation
Poznańskie Studia Slawistyczne, 2013, nr 5, s. 267–279
ISBN
798-83-232-2636-9