„Boś szlachcic” – wzorce i antywzorce w poezji późnego baroku

Abstract

The paper deals with patterns of nobility presented in the works of Polish late baroque poets (especilally Karol Mikołaj Juniewicz, Hieronim Falęcki, Józef Baka). It was found that providential attitude of these authors reduces all political and civil issues to the sphere of personal morality. Thus, Nobleman was expected only to practise cardinal virtues and to avoid deadly sins. His military and civil activity should result from the principles of Christianity. This attitude goes together with the conviction of uniqueness of Polish-Lithuanian state structure, which was considered to be a particular work of the divine Providence. Hence, despite the decline of state institutions, Juniewicz and other authors did not see a need of political reforms.