Judita
Encyclopedia
Judita is one of the most important Croatian
literary works, an epic poem written by the "father of Croatian literature" Marko Marulić
in 1501.
and was printed in Venice by Guglielmo da Fontaneto on August 13 1521, i.e. 20 years after it was actually written. One extant copy of the first edition is held in the Franciscan library of Mala braća in Dubrovnik
, and the other in the library of Zadar
family Paravia, which is today a part of the Scientific Library of Zadar.
The second edition was edited by Zadar librarian Jerolim Mirković on May 30 1522, and that edition is decorated in nine woodcuts depicting war scenes. The ninth woodcut is signed with the letter 'M', so it was assumed that Marulić himself was the author of the woodcuts. One copy of Mirković's edition has been given to the University Library
by Ivan Kukuljević, and the other copy, still a part of the Collection of Manuscripts and Old Books of the University Library, originates from the Kukuljević's legacy.
The third editions has been printed on the January 29th 1522, as it has been indicated in impressube, for Dubrovnik librarian Jacomo di Negri. Trasnferring the aforementioned date of Venetian calendar to modern system, we arrive at the date of 29 January 1523. The only surviving copy of that edition is held at the Bavarian State Library
in Munich.
, which had at most 200 literate citizens at the time, but in other Dalmatia
n centres. The poem contains 2126 doubly rhymed dodecasyllable
s with ceasure after the sixth syllable, composed in 6 books (libars). The language basis of the book is Split Čakavian speech and Štokavian lexis, and the Glagolitic original of the legend, and this way the work foreshadows the unity of Croatian language. Thematically it deals with the story of old Biblical widow Judith which by her heroic act—alleged treason, seduction and the murder of Assyrian general Holofernes
—saves the city of Bethulia
. The act of choosing a subject that simultaneously deals with the act of heroism and a crime shows that Marulić chiefly had in mind literary features (the plot, drama) of the material, and only then their moralistic overhead. A special kind of modernity, with the Humanism-suited treatment of the poem, author demonstrates Petrarchan
descriptions of Judith's beauty.
Marulić's Judith has no decorative epithets profused in folk epics. Even if Judith presents no literary enjoyment, it is interesting as a cultural monument, even more for the way it was composed. For it was no accident that Marulić chose the story of Biblical Judith to treat it as a literary piece. His work resulted from noble idea of giving something to read "even those, who understand no scholarly books", and the plot has be chosen looking at the bad state of its homeland, invaded by foreigners. He shows to the common people the exemplary model of Judith, for it to see what can the yield the confidence to God and eternal justice. That is the chief notion pervading the Marko's poem. That makes the Marulić the first Croatian poet to sing for the people, to encourage it in arduous battles with "eastern dragon"—the Ottoman Turks
.
, and his desire to rule the world. Nebuchadnezzar sends his general Holofernes to conquer as much land as he can, terrorizing the inhabitants.
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
literary works, an epic poem written by the "father of Croatian literature" Marko Marulić
Marko Marulic
Marko Marulić |Split]], 18 August 1450 – Split, 5 January 1524) was a Croatian national poet and Christian humanist, known as the Crown of the Croatian Medieval Age and the father of the Croatian Renaissance. He signed his works as Marko Marulić Splićanin , Marko Pečenić, Marcus Marulus ...
in 1501.
Editions
The work was finished on the April 22nd 1501, and has been published for three times during Marulić's lifetime. The first edition was arranged by Petar Srićić of SplitSplit (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
and was printed in Venice by Guglielmo da Fontaneto on August 13 1521, i.e. 20 years after it was actually written. One extant copy of the first edition is held in the Franciscan library of Mala braća in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, and the other in the library of Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
family Paravia, which is today a part of the Scientific Library of Zadar.
The second edition was edited by Zadar librarian Jerolim Mirković on May 30 1522, and that edition is decorated in nine woodcuts depicting war scenes. The ninth woodcut is signed with the letter 'M', so it was assumed that Marulić himself was the author of the woodcuts. One copy of Mirković's edition has been given to the University Library
National and University Library Zagreb
National and University Library in Zagreb is the national library of Croatia and central library of the University of Zagreb.The national library was founded in 1607. Its primary mission is the development of the national literary corpus...
by Ivan Kukuljević, and the other copy, still a part of the Collection of Manuscripts and Old Books of the University Library, originates from the Kukuljević's legacy.
The third editions has been printed on the January 29th 1522, as it has been indicated in impressube, for Dubrovnik librarian Jacomo di Negri. Trasnferring the aforementioned date of Venetian calendar to modern system, we arrive at the date of 29 January 1523. The only surviving copy of that edition is held at the Bavarian State Library
Bavarian State Library
The Bavarian State Library in Munich is the central "Landesbibliothek", i. e. the state library of the Free State of Bavaria and one of Europe's most important universal libraries. With its collections currently comprising around 9.39 million books, it ranks among the best research libraries...
in Munich.
Theme and influence
The frequency of printing indicates that the text found its readership not only in SplitSplit (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
, which had at most 200 literate citizens at the time, but in other Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
n centres. The poem contains 2126 doubly rhymed dodecasyllable
Dodecasyllable
Dodecasyllable verse is a line of verse with twelve syllables. 12 syllable lines are used in a variety of poetic traditions, including Italian and French poetry, and in poetry of the Southern Slavs...
s with ceasure after the sixth syllable, composed in 6 books (libars). The language basis of the book is Split Čakavian speech and Štokavian lexis, and the Glagolitic original of the legend, and this way the work foreshadows the unity of Croatian language. Thematically it deals with the story of old Biblical widow Judith which by her heroic act—alleged treason, seduction and the murder of Assyrian general Holofernes
Holofernes
In the deuterocanonical Book of Judith Holofernes was an invading general of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar dispatched Holofernes to take vengeance on the nations of the west that had withheld their assistance to his reign...
—saves the city of Bethulia
Bethulia
Bethulia Bethulia Bethulia (Hebrew: בתוליה; in Greek Betuloua, is a Biblical city whose deliverance by Judith, when besieged by Holofernes, forms the subject of the Book of Judith....
. The act of choosing a subject that simultaneously deals with the act of heroism and a crime shows that Marulić chiefly had in mind literary features (the plot, drama) of the material, and only then their moralistic overhead. A special kind of modernity, with the Humanism-suited treatment of the poem, author demonstrates Petrarchan
Petrarchan
The Petrarchan sonnet is a verse form that typically refers to a concept of unattainable love. It was first developed by the Italian humanist and writer, Francesco Petrarca. Conventionally Petrarchan sonnets depict the addressed lady in hyperbolic terms and present her as a model of perfection and...
descriptions of Judith's beauty.
Marulić's Judith has no decorative epithets profused in folk epics. Even if Judith presents no literary enjoyment, it is interesting as a cultural monument, even more for the way it was composed. For it was no accident that Marulić chose the story of Biblical Judith to treat it as a literary piece. His work resulted from noble idea of giving something to read "even those, who understand no scholarly books", and the plot has be chosen looking at the bad state of its homeland, invaded by foreigners. He shows to the common people the exemplary model of Judith, for it to see what can the yield the confidence to God and eternal justice. That is the chief notion pervading the Marko's poem. That makes the Marulić the first Croatian poet to sing for the people, to encourage it in arduous battles with "eastern dragon"—the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
.
The first book
The first book describes Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar II (which conquered Syria and Palestine), the way he kills ArpachshadArpachshad
Arpachshad or Arphaxad or Arphacsad was one of the five sons of Shem, the son of Noah . His brothers were Elam, Asshur, Lud and Aram; he is an ancestor of Abraham. He is said by Gen...
, and his desire to rule the world. Nebuchadnezzar sends his general Holofernes to conquer as much land as he can, terrorizing the inhabitants.
The second book
Holofernes' military campaign, ranging across many lands, finally brings him to Israel. The people, in their horror, pray to God for salvation.The third book
Holofernes lays siege to Bethulia, cutting off the town's water supply. After much hardship, the leaders of the town decide to surrender, but Duke Ozias begs the Jews to be patient for five more days to await God's salvation.The fourth book
Judith, widow of Menasses, prays to the Lord and, along with Abra her slave, flees the city that same night. God bestows upon her the gift of extraordinary beauty, which she will use to seduce Holofernes.The fifth book
Holofernes invites Judith to dinner in his tent. On the fourth day of a festival, drunken Holofernes falls asleep. Judith cuts off his head and mounts it on the city gates in view of his men. They run in horror and fear at the sight, and those who remain are easily driven off by the citizens.The sixth book
The sixth book describes events in the Jerusalem after the departure of Holofernes' army. High Priest Eliakim arrives with his priests to see Judith. She departs for Jerusalem and returns after three months. She never remarries, and there is peace in the land as long as she lives. After her death she is mourned by the citizens for seven days.External links
- Facsimile of the editio princeps of Judita, Venice, 1521 Digitised copy of the first edition, at the National and University Library ZagrebNational and University Library ZagrebNational and University Library in Zagreb is the national library of Croatia and central library of the University of Zagreb.The national library was founded in 1607. Its primary mission is the development of the national literary corpus...