Blanka Hemelíková
The reception of the forged manuscripts in humour and satire
The forged manuscripts are part of the mainstream of European Ossianism, which had local echoes in satire and humour, where the Czech manuscripts were also reflected. A question mark still hangs over the role played by humour and satire both for and against the manuscripts and the way the ‘cult and myth’, as well as all the controversies and absurdities surrounding the manuscripts were reflected here. The representation of the manuscript material in humour and satire underwent a transformation during the 19th century. The comic primarily revolved around the sanctification of the manuscripts, the absurdity and excesses involved in a love of antiquities, the interpretation of archeological findings, the opponents of the manuscripts abroad and the domestic scholarly disputes over the authenticity of the manuscripts. The response to Macpherson's work in England is brought to mind by the application of the nationalistic standpoint in satire and humour, although Czech comic writers also took considerable advantage of the opportunity to engage in straightforward humour.
Manuscripts – humour – satire
design by Bedřich Vémola
