Orient Norwida. Wybrane arabica i islamica literackie

Abstract

The “issue of the Orient” became a signum temporis of the 19th century, the period ideologically and artistically focused on two great geographic, historic and cultural centres: the East and the West. This paper argues that contrary to the assertions made by some Norwid scholars, oriental motifs (including Middle Eastern, i.e. Arabic and Islamic ones) appear in his works. However, Norwid’s view of the Orient differs from the one developed by his predecessors, to which we are accustomed. The poet does not seek exotic masquerade, nor does he draw upon any romantic mythologisation of the Orient. The analysis of the selected Arabic/Islamic literary forms by this post‑Romantic poet shows a radical departure from geographic classifications, typical for his times, and a shift towards axiological categorizations. The Orient in Norwid’s works becomes an ethical space rather than a “cosmic and geographic body”. In his works, the consensus around values and the humanistic horizon of humanity constitute a universal meeting ground for the East and the West, enabling intercultural and inter‑religious dialogue. This primacy of anthropological and axiological spheres over geographic aspects reflects the anti‑iconic and “non‑topographic” greatness of Norwid’s view of the Orient.