The glory and the oblivion. On the history and methodology of the edition of Zygmunt Krasiński’s lyrics

Abstract

Krasiński’s letters are eagerly read by the individuals who encountered the information about his stormy relationship with Delfina Potocka, disclosed in monographs of his life and work. A strong passion, feud with father, forced marriage, suffering and betrayal emerge from the poet’s correspondence. However, Krasiński did not only create letters. He was also an author of many prosaic and dramatic works, lyrics or epic poems discussed in schools. The readers could certainly find something interesting in his works. However, in order to do this they would have to face a more difficult task than if they were supposed to seek something inspiring in the works created by other writers of the Romantic Movement. Undoubtedly, it would transpire that after 1945 publishers popularised mainly Krasiński’s dramatic works. The vast majority of collective editions of Krasiński’s writings were released before 1939 – therefore access to them is difficult – whereas works written by Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki and/or Cyprian Norwid were repeatedly published in the time of the Polish People’s Republic and in the following years.