"Promethidion" ("son of Prometheus", "successor of Prometheus") by Cyprian Kamil Norwid (1821-1883), published in 1851, is by far the most difficult book to review by me. It isn't a novella or a report, but a narrative poem, written in the convention of philosophical dialogues (like the ones written by Plato). It contains 6 parts: a short dedication (for his friend Włodzimierz Łubieński), an introduction, a word to a reader, the first dialogue called "Bogumił" (about Beauty), the second dialogue called "Wiesław" (about Good and Truth) and an epilogue. Everything - except a word to a reader and an epilogue - is written with rhymes.
"Promethidion" was published in early 50s, 20 years after November Uprising and 12 years before January Uprising, after deaths of such notable Polish romantics as Juliusz Słowacki and Frederic Chopin, when other famous artist from Poland, Adam Mickiewicz, hasn't published anything important since many years. At this moment Norwid confirmed the opinion about him among readers and critics as a poet difficult to understand (what was the reason he remained unnoticed till the end of 19th century/beginning of 20th century). Despite these difficulties he didn't stop writing, and one of his works created in this period was "Promethidion", thought as a kind of a textbook for artists.
The "plot" (can we talk about plot, when it comes to a narrative poem?) of "Promethidion" is set in the environment of Poles (probably political emigrants), between whom appear two outstanding individuals - Bogumił and Wiesław - who present their conceptions of national art + beauty, good and truth, which are the factors indispensable for the creation of it. Some messages of "Promethidion" are the following ones:
*you become an artist not only via creating art, but also via communing with it;
*beauty is a shape of love, which is created by God;
*beauty created by people is the shadow of beauty created by God, but it doesn't mean it's worthless;
*craft is also art;
*every nation has its own way to the art;
*art is a sort of saint thing;
*Poles can sacrifice their lives now only for art;
and the most important thing - the motto:
"Not after yourself with Saviour's cross,
but after Saviour with your own cross,
this is the rule of an universal social harmony in christianity -
this one belongs to the ones, which are called materially specialities, rhythm and chord.
This one is finally the mystery of a righteous movement".
I'm sorry for my crappy translation and my crappy thoughts about "Promethidion" - I hope that Norwid isn't rolling in his grave
