Analogie i aluzje. Quo vadis wobec Irydiona

Abstract

The thesis that Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Quo Vadis refers to Zygmunt Krasiński’s Irydion is nothing new in the subject literature. But this particular text is a trial of separating the authentic allusions from analogies – similarities coming out of the fact that both writers used the same source material and their immersion in the period’s atmosphere. It also calls attention to the differences between the creations that deliver from the period in which there were created, using different literary type and grade, finally – from different philosophy of history. Quo Vadis’ author accepts Krasiński’s thesis but discusses with them too. He also puts a stronger accent on both the fall of the ancient empire and the final victory of the cross.