Czech literature is literature of the Czech Republic, most typically meaning literature written by Czechs, in the Czech language.

Authors from either a Czech territory world health organization wrote inside more languages (i personally. e. German) around a past come considered on an individual basis, & these are avowedly that their writing universally existed in parallel, by using super little reciprocal influence to & from either the body of Czech-language literature. So Franz Kafka, who is a virtually all popular (typically the sole known) "Czech author" around popular foreign opinion, wrote inside German (though he likewise knew Czech like swell) & virtually all of his act became available around translation merely in the Sixties. There are two or three exceptional legal actions of native Czechs world health organization write inside more languages, by far a right-known existence Milan Kundera who has lived in France since 1975, and has written within French since 1989, and Tom Stoppard.

From either a early 19th century, literature wwhen popular and significant as culture became the substitute for politics in the smothered conditions of Austria-Hungary (see Czech National Revival) and then once more under a Nazi and Communist dictatorships.

Famous Czech authors
''Regulated about chronologically, by era a centre of given creator's operate lessens into:''

Christianus monachus Cosmas Pragensis Dalimil Johannes von Saaz Smil Flaska z Pardubic Hynek z Podebrad Mikulas Dacicky z Heslova Jan Amos Komenský Bohuslav Balbín Ondrej de Waldt

Between 1750 & 1860 (Modern Bohemian Literature) Josef Dobrovsky Jan Jenik z Bratric Josef Jungmann František Ladislav Čelakovský Josef Kajetán Tyl F. J. Rubes Karel Hynek Mácha František Palacký Božena Němcová Marie Ebnerova z Eschenbachu

Between 1860 & 1910 (Modern Bohemian Literature 2) Jan Neruda Karolina SvÄ›tlá Jakub Arbes Siegfried Kapper Svatopluk ÄŒech Ferdinand von Saar Jaroslav Vrchlický Alois Jirásek Zikmund Winter Karel HlaváÄ?ek Jiří Karásek ze Lvovic Arthur Breisky FrantiÅ¡ek Gellner

Between WWI & WWII

Franz Kafka Vladislav VanÄ?ura Bohuslav Reynek Jakub Deml Hermann Grab FrantiÅ¡ek Halas Jiří Wolker Franz Werfel Karel ÄŒapek Josef ÄŒapek Jiří Mahen Jan Zahradnicek Egon Hostovsky Ferdinand Peroutka Jaroslav Seifert Paul Leppin Josef Váchal Hermann Ungar Jaroslav HaÅ¡ek Jan Cep Egon Erwin Kisch Gustav Leutelt

Communistic Era

Jan Zábrana Bohumil Hrabal Josef JedliÄ?ka Milan Kundera Václav Havel Josef Å kvorecký Ludvík Vaculík Jirí GruÅ¡a Kratochvil Ota Pavel Miroslav Holub Jan KÅ™esadlo Ivan Klíma Jan Skácel Jaroslav Foglar Vladimír Páral

Contemporary

Jan Novak Michal Viewegh Jáchym Topol Filip Topol Jaroslav Rudiš Jaroslav Velinský

Catholic Encyclopedia version
Czech Literature

A Czech or even Bohemian language is spoken by that branch of the Indo-European Slavs who settled inside Moravia and Bohemia about the fifth century fallowing Christ. These are closely allied to the Russian, Polish, Bulgarian, & more Slav languages getting the most common origin. A evolution of Czech literature dates back to 863, once Moravia & Bohemia, through the efforts of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the apostles of these two countries, were converted to Christianity and thus became participants in the great work of civilization. Of completely Slav literature, by using a exception of a Bulgarian, a Czech is a oldest &, until the seventeenth century, was besides the richest. It can be divided into tetrad periods.

First Period

This era extended from either a Christianization of Bohemia to the appearance publically of John Hus, in the year 1404. It can be known as a childhood of Czech literature & is characterized by fruitfulness inside poetry. From either heathen days i have there are no literary relics, though these are certain that a Bohemians utilized certain unrefined characters or even letters usually known as a runic. St. Cyril, using the Greek characters as the basis, devised a favorite Slav alphabet by owning freshly marks indicating easy sounds. At the equivalent instance he introduced a Slavonic Liturgy & translated a share of the Bible. A liturgy, however, was shortly superseded per Latin, written in the Latin language with Roman letters. This was caused primarily per German bishops, world health organization, these are said, despised that this Slavonic Liturgy can eventually lead to schism. A Slavonic Liturgy survived yearn (until 1055) in the Abbey of Sazava. To re-establish it Emperor Charles IV founded an abbey at Prague commonly called "Na Slovanech", or even at a present instance Emmaus, causing Slav Benedictine monks from either Croatia to settle there. A monks, nonetheless, were scattered when you took a Hussite wars within 1419 & did non link to. A older section of the renowned "Reims Gospel", these are claimed, go back a eleventh or even 12th century. A newly a share was written at Emmaus within 1395, & is the exclusively relic of Old Slavonic extant. This Gospel wwhen carried away per Hussites, wwhen taken as far as Turkey, & thence to Reims, where it was utilized per French kings whilst pronouncing a enthronisation oath. Of a oldest time, that is from either the tenth to the 12th century, merely 2 or three manuscripts develop been preserved, among the babies two fragments of liturgical translations written in the Glagolitic or Old Slavonic alphabet. A virtually all preciously relic of this time is the anthem "Hospodine, pomiluj ny", the paraphrasis of the Kyrie Eleison, which, with its deep choral melody, is very telling. These are surpassed merely per beautiful song inside honour of St. Wenceslaus.

The marked improvement inside Czech literature began in the season 1250. A American lands gave birth to fresh watchwords, freshly ideas, & recently life. A splendour of tournaments, a pomp of feasts, & a grandeur of knighthood took a fancy of a age, when the Crusades widened the humans's cognition of more countries & customs. A troubadours of France and a minnesingers of Germany went from either castle to castle, glorifying heroic deeds of knighthood. Tendencies of this variety noticed favour besides withinside Bohemia, & because of their origwithin in Latin or even Roman lands, literature of this cycle is normally known as romance, A deeds & escapade of a knights were extolled in song & verse form when foreign system; the right one was "Alexandreis", written by an unknown creator. This piece of literature is remarkable for its virtually immaculate form & elegant diction. the second symptom of a Crusades was a extraordinary revival of religious faith among the humans, which produce to a newly class of literature, to legends & to mystery or spiritual plays. Within prose were written spiritual romances, legends, & passionals depicting a passion of My Lord & of the martyrs. A Crusades farther enkindled in the hearts of many another want to underst& & understand recently lands and newly peoples. This led to works in travel, geographics, etc. around swell figures. the veneration of the Blessed Mother developed quickly & fostered a deeper respect for women & tikes. A initiation of the University of Prague, in 1348, by Emperor Charles IV was the right factor out the improvement of Bohemian literature altogether branches. A moral affliction of the Church at that instance just can't exist as known as exemplary. There existed certain disorders which known as forth reformers, world health organization honestly & sincerely worked for their elimination. Many devotional & moral tracts were written, a right of which were by Tomás Štítný, who dauntlessly assailed a abuses wherever he witnessed the babies. Štítný's literary activity likewise manufactured its influence felt in another line. when much when this instance a Czech language got been regarded as unsound for scientific writing, a Latinside existence well-nigh entirely utilized in text, as in numerous more countries, for treatises on theological & philosophic cases. Štítný, nonetheless, dispelled this illusion, by using the Czech language potentially around his scientific writings, & so created the rich scientific vocabulary. A endure one literary reformers was John Hus. He, but, allowed himself to exist as led astray per heresies of John Wyclif & thus get a induce of unhappy dissensions and damn war around his native united states.

Second Period

A appearance of John Hus within 1404 marks a 2nd period of Czech literature. When you took this a Czech language passed from either its old form to a mediaeval stage, & this epoch can be known as the golden age of Bohemian literature. Devotional prose was around preponderance. the literary merit of John Hus consists around his establishing a diacritical orthography, making a written language additional elementary & stalls; however, then again, his activity driven dissensions in a Church, which brought in all-fired wars & the ruin of literature. These sad conditions improved single in a period of the reign of George of Podiebrad (1458-71). A sect called a Bohemian Brethren, founded in 1457, imparted the fresh character to Czech literature & produced several eminent writers. Around religious meetings held in a fashion of the early Christians, spiritual reading, meditation, & religious songs formed the greater section of the services. A practice led to the publication of a great total of devotional songs & hymn-books, & to the institution of printing establishments. Eight leading members of a Brethren translated from either either a original Hebrew & Greek a whole of a Bible, which is usually referred to as the Kralická Bible, from the town of Kralice in which it was printed. This translation is fantabulous & from either the literary stand it must exist as known as authoritative. A greatest writer of the Brethren was their survive bishop, Jan Amos Komenský (Johann Amos, called Comenius), the pedagog of celebrity, world health organization, around his masterpiece, "The Labyrinth of the World and the Heart's Paradise" — a better devotional & philosophic act inside mediaeval Bohemian literature — proves that wholly worldly glory, wealth, & pleasures come vanities & that admittedly happiness consists just in a possession of God & the fulfilling of His Commandments.

A second significant factor out Czech literature was Humanism. When early when a reign of George of Podiebrad (1458-71) several writers turned their attention to the old Roman & Greek literatures. It exposed a classics, copied a elegancies of form, & drew upon a verbal wealth, numerous potentially running and then far when to write their works around Latin. However ii right obstacles fill in a way from either the beginning. An article of Hussite dogma condemned a fostering of worldly sciences, & a members of the Bohemian Brethren take this opinion. For this cause Humanism was cultivated at the start single by Catholics. First therein movement must exist as mentioned the gifted poet Bohuslav z Lobkovic & John Hodejovský from either Hodejov, world health organization, though non the writer, was a generous patron of literature. Once Protestantism superseded Hussitism, John Blahoslav, a member of a Bohemian Brethren, wrote an elaborate defence of humanism, & iii religious bodies so began to emulate of these a second around fostering Humanism: a Catholics, world health organization experienced suffered greatly when you took a Hussite wars, a Bohemian Brethren, world health organization at this instance were at a zenith of their literary development, & the Protestants, world health organization were growing effective. Fresh schools were founded, of which victims conducted per Brethren were first. These, nonetheless, were bit by bit superseded per Jesuit schools. Humanism indeed revived classic system of poetry, however it was destructive of residence, that is Czech, literature, therein Humanitarian poetry was solely Latin. At a equivalent instance it must become acknowledged that through the influence of Humanism Bohemian prose immensely improved, culminating in the works of Daniel Adam of Veleslavín, world health organization justifiedly wrote: "The Bohemian language, in its present high development, is elegant, rich, graceful, and sublime, and perfectly adapted to the setting forth of any topic, whether in theology or philosophy." This splendid development terminated suddenly inside 1620, at a beginning of the era of decline.

Third Period

A Protestant nobility, refusing to recognize Emperor Ferdinand II, chose the Calvinist Elector Frederick V when their king (1619). This rebellion was overthrown at a battle of the White Mountain, 8 Nov., 1620, & a Bohemian united states per rashness and stubbornness of its nobleman was shorn of its independence. A victorious Ferdinand began to enforce a existent slogan of the Reformation: Cuius regio illius religio. A bit of of a leaders of rebellion were executed & their property confiscated, & others were warned either to adopt a Catholic religion or even to leave the land. Numerous left Bohemia & their property was sold or even even given to German, Spanish, French, or Italian nobleman. When a battle of the White Mountain you meet however couple of writers. Virtually all large amongst a Catholic writers of this day was Vilem Slavata of Chlum, who wrote the big history inside refutation of that of Skala of Zhor which unduly favoured Protestantism. When a Thirty Years War, however, entirely literary activity ceased. In a period of the whole of the seventeenth century there was non published one original act of merit. within the eighteenth century works were written in Latin & German. A German language step by step took a place of the Bohemian, & after, around 1774, Emperor Joseph II excluded it from either the schools & from entirely public agents, it seemed when whenever a Bohemian language was condemned to a gradual however certainly demise. However upright on text come a sudden vary for the better, & 1780 marks the beginning of the modern period of Bohemian literature.

Fourth Period

a handful of loyal priests & teachers took higher a heroic project of awakening the united states & succeeded. When you took a course of of these century Bohemian literature grew to such proportions altogether its branches that to-day it will swell compare using a literature of more nations. First among a pioneers of this era of resurrection must become mentioned Josef Dobrovský, a Jesuit, & Prof. Josef Jungman.

BOHEMIAN WRITERS Around VARIOUS FIELDS

Poetry

Fr. Lad. Celakovský (1799-1852); Boleslav Jablonský, Catholic priest (1813-1881); Jan Kollar (1793-1852); Vitezslav Hálek (1835-1874); Adolf Heyduk (1835); Svatopluk Cech (1846-1908); Josef Sládek (1854), translated 100% of the plays of Shakespeare and the primary works of Longfellow, Byron, Burns, Bret Harte, etc. Jaroslav Vrchlický (1853) is the virtually all prolific Bohemian poet. He wrote sixty-seven volumes of original verse form. Besides this he wrote a total of dramas & translated from either 100% the languages of Europe. He translated "Divina Commedia" of Dante, Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso", and a great section of Goethe, Carducci, Andersen, De Amicis, Byron, Hugo, de Lisle, Camoens, Ibsen, Molière, Hamerling, Shelley, etc. Julius Zeyer (1841-1901). Cech, Vrchlický, & Zeyer come a greatest Bohemian poets. A virtually all large of the immature generation come: — Otakar Brezina, Jaroslav Kvapil, Jan Machar, Fr. Svoboda; & a as punishment Catholic priests: — Sigismund Bouška, O. S. B.; Xaver Dvorák; Adam Chlumecký & a Bohemian-Our contries poet, Jan Vránek of Omaha, Nebraska.

Novels and Romances

Josef Ehrenberger, Catholic priest (1815-1882); Prokop Chocholoušek (1819-1864); František Pravda, Catholic priest (1817-1904); Fr. Rubeš (1814-1852); Karolina Svetlá (1830-1899); Jan Neruda (1834-1891); Bozena Nemcová (1820-1862); Václav Vlcek (1839); Jakub Arbes (1840); Václav Beneš Trebízský, Catholic priest (1849-1884); Servác Heller (1845); Ignat Herman (1854); Alois Jirásek (1851); Karel Klostermann (1848); Václav Kosmák, Catholic priest (1843-1898); Václav Reznícek, Ph. D. (1861); Antal Stašek (1843); Alois Smilovský (1837-1883). Trebízský & Jirásek come a best known novelists. A virtually all large of the rising generation come: — Bohumil Brodský, Catholic priest (1862); Jan Havlasa (1883); Karel Rais (1859); Matej Šimácek (1860); Alois Dostál, Catholic priest (1858).

Drama

Václav Klicpera (1792-1859); Josef Tyl (1808-1856); Fr. Jerábek (1836-1893); Josef Kolár (1812-1896); Emanuel Bozdech (1841-1889); Fr. Stroupeznický (1850-1892); Jos. Štolba, LL. D. (1846). A better playwright come Bozdech & Stroupeznický.

Theology
Of all a branches of scientific Bohemian literature the theological is the richest. A leading writers come: —

Exegesis

Fr. Sušil, Ph. D. (1804-1868), translated & wrote the super extensive comment to the Just released Testament. This is the lone act of its form all told Slav literature. Innocenc Frencl, S. T. D. (1818-1862); Jaroslav Sedlácek, S. T. D.

Pastoral Theology

Antonín Skocdopole, Ph. D. (1828); Xaver Blanda, S. T. D. (1838).

Apologetics

Bishops Jan Valerian Jirsík (1798-1883), Eduard Brynych (1846-1902), & Antonín Lenz, S. T. D. (1829-1901), an expert of dogmatical theology, apologetics, Mariology, sociology, & Catholic anthropology. He pointed retired by having unusual clearness a errors of Wyclif, Hus, Chelcický, & Comenius.

Catholic Philosophy

Jan Kaderábek, S. T. D. (1840); Václav Šimánko, S. T. D. (1844-1897); Pavel Vychodil, O. S. B., Ph. D. (1862); František Konecný; Václav Hlavatý, S. T. D., & Josef Pospíšil, S. T. D.

Canon Law

Klement Borový, S. T. D. (1838-1897); Alois Jirák, S. T. D. (1848-1906).

Moral Theology

Matej Procházka, S. T. D. (1811-1889); Karel Rehák, S. T. D. (1843).

Christian Sociology

Rudolf Horský, S. T. D., & Rudolf Vrba.

Oriental Languages

Fr. Ryzlink, S. T. D.

Biblical Archeology

Melichar Mlcoch, S. T. D. (1833), & Alois Musil, S. T. D., of wide reputation.

Hagiography

František Eckert; Hugo Karlík.

Church History

Fr. Krásl, S. T. D. (1844); Fr. Kryštufek, S. T. D.; Josef Svoboda, S. J. (1826-1896).

A leading theological writers (1908) come:

Jan Sýkora, S. T. D.; Josef Tumpach, S. T. D.; Antonín Podlaha, S. T. D.

Law

Albín Bráf, LL. D.; Antonín Randa, LL. D.

Philosophy & Æsthetics

Josef Durdík, Ph. D.; Ottokar Hostinský, Ph. D.; Tomáš Masarík, Ph. D.

Higher Mathematics

Dr. Fr. Studnicka; Václav Šimerka; Brothers Emil & Eduard Weyr.

Medicine

Jan Purkyne, M. D. (1784-1869); Boh. Eiselt, M. D.; Emerich Maixner, M. D.; Josef Thomayer, M. D.

Music Theory Jerome of Moravia

Natural Science

Karel Amerling, M. D. (1807-1884); Jan Pressl M. D. (1791-1849); Jan Krejcí, M. D.; Vladislav Šir, M. D.

Astronomy

Karel Zenger (1830-1908).

Travel

Emil Holub, M. D. (1807-1884); Stanislav Vráz (1859).

History

František Palacký (1798-1876), world health organization wrote a history of the Bohemian humans within eleven volumes from either the earliest days down to the month 1526; Václav Vladivoj Tomek (1818-1905); Antonín Rezek Ph. D. (1853).

Archaeology

Jan Erazim Vocel (1802-1871); Pavel Šafarík (1795-1861).