Mystery Play on Birth, Life and Death. "Marcolf" by Jan Kasprowicz

Abstract

The article is devoted to Marchołt [Marcolf] by Jan Kasprowicz, which is an important work for the Polish drama of the first half of the 20^th century, and at the same time it is a relatively poorly known work. As the poet’s last and most personal theatrical statement, it is set in the context of his life and work and especially in the framework of his dramatic works. The problem analysis of the work, which considers biographical sources, aims to show that Marchołt grew out of a deep need to grasp the entirety of existential experiences and reflections, and to reveal the essence of the human condition. This is reflected in the structure of the work, subordinated to the dramatic convention of mystery and morality features, with syncretic treatment of the genres of medieval religious theatre that is typical of the Young Poland and the interwar period. The story of the eponymous protagonist, an allegorical Everyman, divided into four scenes, presents the major stages of the human journey from birth to death. The key to reading the “tragicomic mystery play” about Marcolf is to treat it as a synthesis of the author’s worldview changes and dilemmas, an attempt to holistically depict the dramatic antinomies attributed to the existence of the human.