Scholarly record

MEDICINE IN THE MIRROR OF SMALL LITERARY FORMS: DIACHRONIC REVIEW

S. Nedbailik, R. Meltzer

Abstract

This article is devoted to the history of epigrammatic art as one of most problematic and interesting phenomena, paying special attention to its oral and written manifestations closely attached to medical art in all its aspects. Thus, the authors point out the main features and particularities of epigrams as a classical small literary genre which together with poems, epitaphs and other small form a real separate trend in the European literary art. In the frame of diachronic approach to the topic they give a detailed review of the main historical trends and periods of epigrammatic art development and evolution, beginning from Greek- Roman antiquity and up to XVIII-XIX centuries. In this connection are presented numerous samples of epigrammatic poetry of different epochs, countries and authors in original and translation, dwelling upon the main social - historical tendencies of different periods, that have predetermined the most essential changes of the medical profession ideas, views and its representatives treatment by ordinary and distinguished people. Since at the very origin of their existence in Greek poetry (VII-VI cc. B.C.) epigrams as short lyric poems or prosaic inscriptions of free content and elegy metric form were closely connected with epitaphs as their real ancestors, as well as with other early forms of ancient lettering, their differential and common features are distinguished and analyzed in the present research. It`s noteworthy, that gradual evolution of this genre in Greek-Roman poetic art lead to its thematic and compositional scope broadening, especially in III-I century B.C., considered to be the time of epigrammatic art apogee. Thus, the epigrams of philosophical character, as well as rhymed moral admonitions, strictly aimed at supporting and strengthening the Christian morality of Catholic church, were obviously predominant. The authors of that time, as well as their colleagues of later historical period, could hardly overcome the fixed frames of rigid, fixed traditions and stereotypes, that`s why their literary experiences, with quite rare exceptions, stayed only in the sphere of versification exercises. As far as modern European epigrammatic art is greatly owing to progressive social, political, cultural and philosophical tendencies of Renaissance and XVII-XVIII cc., widely known as the epochs of arts flourishing and education, these historical periods are the subject of particular attention in the article.

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