DOI: 10.53084/22209050_2023_27_155

O.P. Tsybenko
The ecumenical epic "Odyssey" by N. Kazantzakis and his Italian forerunner G. D'Annunzio

Abstract: The main work of N. Kazantzakis, the historical and philosophical epic "Odyssey", is the result of comprehending world history based on the use of material from Greek mythology, with a complete departure and even rejection of the "national" idea that characterized the initial period of the poet-philosopher's spiritual quest. The decisive turning point in N. Kazantzakis' worldview occurred in 1922–1924, during the writer's stay in Western Europe (Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Italy), when N. Kazantzakis formed an "intellectual" faith in his fundamental Trinity, which determined the development of mankind (Buddha, Christ and Lenin). As a consequence of this turning point, after returning to Crete (1924), N. Kazantzakis turns to attempts at practical knowledge of the communist idea, which is being implemented in Russia, and in artistic creativity – to a new epic understanding of the myth of Odysseus in the key of ecumenical universality. Among the contemporary writers who had a noticeable influence on the work of N. Kazantzakis, one of the first places belongs to Gabriele D'Annunzio, who, along with some other writers and philosophers of the twentieth century, became for N. Kazantzakis one of the outstanding masters of the artistic word, through whom he adopted the theories of heroic pessimism, intuition and vitalism. One of the forerunners of Odysseus in the epic by N. Kazantzakis was Odysseus D'Annunzio. This is the type of Odysseus "drunk with horizons", the brightest expression of which in world literature is presented in the XXVI canto of "Inferno" by Dante, which became the "starting point" for Odysseus by N. Kazantzakis in the plot plan.

Keywords: N. Kazantzakis, historical and philosophical epic, "Odyssey", Greek mythology, Russia, ecumenical universality, G. D'Annunzio, heroic pessimism, vitalism, "Inferno" (XXVI canto), Dante

To cite this article: Tsybenko O.P. The ecumenical epic "Odyssey" by N. Kazantzakis and his Italian forerunner G. D'Annunzio. Aristeas XXVII (2023): 155–177.


Author:
O.P. Tsybenko