Osiemnastowieczne modlitwy panien i niewiast różnego stanu w intencji męża

Abstract

The analysis is based on an anonymous print of Modlitwa panien żądających męża, the origin of which is dated to the 18th century. Twelve pieces have been subjected to examination in the present study (including four initial ones in verse form), expressing thoughts, intentions and opinions of women of different age and status, with regard to the discussed issue. The aim of the analyses, focused on the figures of characters and the description of the world presented in the consecutive parts of this artistic piece, as well as on the selection of stylistically marked lexis, was to present the humorous and ludic aspects and functions of the studied collection and the parodic transformations which, to this aim, have been made in the generic model of a prayer of intent, by an unknown author. These deliberations, in turn, expose references to the old directives and principles defining a woman’s status in marriage, included in the discussed piece, and they present the echos of the discussions concerning the good and bad sides of this status, that were held in the Enlightenment. The research has been completed with the identification of the unknown author’s presumable sources of inspiration and the literary relations of his collection of occasional pieces.