Emotionality and Biblical inspiration of the Baroque poemabout the earthquake in Komárno by Š. Korbeľ

Abstract

The paper focuses on the analysis of the Baroque catastrophic poem “Memorable reflections on the terrible earthquake, which took place in the year 1763 near the end of the month of June in the Hungarian land to prove the terrible wrath of God against the perpetrators of iniquity, in which the famous and beautiful city of Komárno is especially impoverished and deprived of its glory, contained in short verses and written by one of the gardeners working in Christ´s garden. Anno 1763 die 29. Julii” by Štefan Korbeľ. The author views the poem through the prism of the emotions regarding the earthquake, the inhabitants of Komárno, as well as those attributed to the city, the whole world, and the anthropomorphically depicted God. The emphasis is laid on the origin of poetic imagery, which predominantly echoes the Biblical texts. Korbeľ considers the earthquake as a manifestation of God's wrath and punishment, but also as a test and warning for the survivors. The poet sees it as a sign of the Last Judgment and compares it to eternal torment in hell.