Onufry Zagłoba
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Jan Onufry Zagłoba is a fictional character in the ''Trilogy'' by
Henryk Sienkiewicz Henryk Adam Aleksander Pius Sienkiewicz ( , ; 5 May 1846 – 15 November 1916), also known by the pseudonym Litwos (), was a Polish epic writer. He is remembered for his historical novels, such as The Trilogy, the Trilogy series and especially ...
. Together with other characters of ''
The Trilogy The Trilogy (1884–1888) is a series of three novels written by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz. The series follows dramatized versions of famous events in Polish history, weaving fact and fiction. It is considered a great literary work, ...
'', Zagłoba engages in various adventures, fighting for the
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, also referred to as Poland–Lithuania or the First Polish Republic (), was a federation, federative real union between the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ...
, and seeking adventures and glory. Zagłoba is seen as one of Sienkiewicz most popular and significant characters. While he has often been compared to
Shakespearean William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
character of
Falstaff Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare and is eulogised in a fourth. His significance as a fully developed character is primarily formed in the plays ''Henry IV, Part 1'' and '' Part 2'', w ...
, he also goes through extensive character development, becoming a jovial and cunning hero.


Fictional character biography

After meeting another character of the ''Trilogy'', Jan Skrzetuski, Zagłoba, until now living a meaningless life of a petty noble, trying to survive by exploiting the good faith of others, becomes drawn into the company of hero-like personas, and slowly changes, to become worthy of their trust and friendship. Together with them, Zagłoba engages in various adventures, fighting for the
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, also referred to as Poland–Lithuania or the First Polish Republic (), was a federation, federative real union between the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ...
, and seeking adventures and glory. During a feast, in a rather drunken state, he was the first to call prince Janusz Radziwiłł a traitor. Eventually he becomes a widely known person, treated with respect by powerful magnates and offering counsel to the king. He was balding and half-blind, known for his love of drinking and story-telling (usually glorifying his own exploits), tendency to poke fun at everyone and everything, later also renowned as a cunning tactician. His coat of arms is Wczele or Zagłoba. In 1964
Teodor Parnicki Teodor Parnicki (1908–1988) was a Polish writer, notable for his historical novels. He is especially renowned for works related to the early medieval Middle East, the late Roman and the Byzantine Empires. Life Teodor Parnicki was born March 5, ...
published the novel ', which may be interpreted as a
prequel A prequel is a literary, dramatic or cinematic work whose story precedes that of a previous work, by focusing on events that occur before the original narrative. A prequel is a work that forms part of a backstory to the preceding work. The term ...
about Zagloba's
coming of age Coming of age is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult. The specific age at which this transition takes place varies between societies, as does the nature of the change. It can be a simple legal convention or can b ...
Teodor Parnicki 5.03.1908—5.12.1988
''
culture.pl Culture.pl is a large Polish multilingual project and web portal devoted to Polish culture. It was founded by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in March 2001. The project promotes the work of Polish artists around the world and is a popular informati ...
''
loosely connected with ''
With Fire and Sword ''By Fire and Sword'' () is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1884. It is the first volume of a series known to Poles as The Trilogy, followed by '' The Deluge'' (''Potop'', 1886) and '' Fire in the Step ...
'', where Zagloba tells of his exploits in
Constantinople Constantinople (#Names of Constantinople, see other names) was a historical city located on the Bosporus that served as the capital of the Roman Empire, Roman, Byzantine Empire, Byzantine, Latin Empire, Latin, and Ottoman Empire, Ottoman empire ...
.


Significance and literary analysis

Zagłoba appears in Sienkiewicz's ''
The Trilogy The Trilogy (1884–1888) is a series of three novels written by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz. The series follows dramatized versions of famous events in Polish history, weaving fact and fiction. It is considered a great literary work, ...
'' series of three books: ''
With Fire and Sword ''By Fire and Sword'' () is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1884. It is the first volume of a series known to Poles as The Trilogy, followed by '' The Deluge'' (''Potop'', 1886) and '' Fire in the Step ...
'' (Ogniem i Mieczem) and '' The Deluge'' (Potop), and the last part of the series, ''
Colonel Wolodyjowski ''Pan Wołodyjowski'' (titled in English as ''Pan Michael'', 1893, and ''Fire in the Steppe'', 1992; other titles used in English discourse include ''Colonel Wołodyjowski'', ''Sir Michael'' and ''Sir Wołodyjowski'') is a historical novel by t ...
'' (Pan Wołodyjowski). Stanisław Kozłowski notes that Zagłoba is seen as one of Sienkiewicz most popular and significant characters.
Roman Dyboski Roman Dyboski (19 November 1883 in Cieszyn – 1 June 1945 in Kraków) was a Polish philologist and literature scholar. Professor at the Jagiellonian University since 1911. Member of the Polish Academy of Learning. He was son of Antoni Dyboski ...
wrote that Zagłoba's humorous persona was one of the most enduring of Sienkiewicz characters.
Horst Frenz Horst Frenz (June 29, 1912 – November 17, 1990) was a German-American literary scholar and a professor in the Department of Comparative Literature and English at Indiana University. He is known for his works on comparative literature. Life Ho ...
wrote that Zagłoba "belongs forever to the gallery of immortal comic characters of world literature, and he is thoroughly original." He has been often compared to the
Shakespearean William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
character of
Falstaff Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare and is eulogised in a fourth. His significance as a fully developed character is primarily formed in the plays ''Henry IV, Part 1'' and '' Part 2'', w ...
. This comparison, made by Dyboski and others, is often based on his propensity for drinking and partying, sharp tongue and cunning, and telling exaggerated tales of his youthful adventures. Unlike Falstaff, he grows to become a more mature character, and this transformation can be observed in the first book, beginning with the moment where he decides to risk his life to protect the proverbial damsel in distress, Helena, in the midst of the ongoing
Chmielnicki uprising The Khmelnytsky Uprising, also known as the Cossack–Polish War, Khmelnytsky insurrection, or the National Liberation War, was a Cossack rebellion that took place between 1648 and 1657 in the eastern territories of the Polish–Lithuanian Co ...
. This transformation is likely the most crucial difference between Zagłoba and Falstaff. Sienkiewicz himself wrote about Zagłoba and Falstaff thus:
William Lyon Phelps William Lyon Phelps (January 2, 1865 New Haven, Connecticut – August 21, 1943 New Haven, Connecticut) was an American author, critic and scholar. He taught the first American university course on the modern novel. He had a radio show, wrote ...
notes that if Zagłoba is a copy of Falstaff, he is as good as the original, a feat he applauds Sienkiewicz for.
Edward Bolland Osborn Edward Bolland Osborn (1867–1938) was a British journalist, author and editor. Born in London in 1867, Osborn was the first son of Edward Haydon Osborn, an Inspector of Factories. He was educated at Rossall School, before matriculating at Magda ...
notes he is too complex to be compared to only one character, and has qualities of many, preferring to describe him as a caricature "of the Polish character in the last days of the chevalerie, when the sabre was still the final argument and olandwas the chief bulwark of the Christendom against the vast armies of he Turks" In political views, Zagłoba is a model petty Polish noble from the times of
sejmik A sejmik (, diminutive of ''sejm'', occasionally translated as a ''dietine''; ) was one of various local parliaments in the history of Poland and history of Lithuania. The first sejmiks were regional assemblies in the Kingdom of Poland (before ...
-dominated Polish politics, a rather intolerant Catholic, vocal supporter of
sarmatism Sarmatism (or Sarmatianism; ; ) was an ethno-cultural identity within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was the dominant Baroque culture and ideology of the nobility () that existed in the time from the Renaissance to the early 18th ce ...
values such as
Golden Freedoms Golden Liberty (; , ), sometimes referred to as Golden Freedoms, Nobles' Democracy or Nobles' Commonwealth ( or ''Złota wolność szlachecka'') was a political system in the Kingdom of Poland and, after the Union of Lublin (1569), in the Polish ...
and
liberum veto The ''liberum veto'' (Latin for "free veto") was a parliamentary device in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was a form of unanimity voting rule that allowed any member of the Sejm (legislature) to force an immediate end to the current s ...
, seeing the noble class as superior to others. Another character Zagłoba has been compared to is
Odysseus In Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology, Odysseus ( ; , ), also known by the Latin variant Ulysses ( , ; ), is a legendary Greeks, Greek king of Homeric Ithaca, Ithaca and the hero of Homer's Epic poetry, epic poem, the ''Odyssey''. Od ...
(Ulysses), due to their cunning mind, always full of plans and strategies. He has also been compared to a number of other characters, such as
Thersites In Greek mythology, Thersites (; Ancient Greek: Θερσίτης) was a soldier of the Greek army during the Trojan War. Family The ''Iliad'' does not mention his father's name, which may suggest that he should be viewed as a commoner rathe ...
or the main character of the Roman play ''
Miles Gloriosus ''Alazṓn'' () is one of three stock characters in comedy of the theatre of ancient Greece. He is the opponent of the '' eirôn''. The ''alazṓn'' is an impostor that sees himself as greater than he actually is. The ''senex iratus'' (the angr ...
(The Swaggering Soldier).'' Stanisław Kozłowski notes that the good-natured and light-hearted portrayal of Zagłoba is used by Sienkiewicz to counterbalance the dark setting of the stories, set during the time of war and devastation. He is the symbol of undying optimism and hope, and a strategist who can find his way out of trouble. He is often considered both a comic figure as well as the patriotic hero, even if the latter more often comes from the necessity of the moment. He is respected for his ideas, intelligence and a sharp tongue. For example, when Swedish king
Charles X Gustav Charles X Gustav, also Carl X Gustav (; 8 November 1622 – 13 February 1660), was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death. He was the son of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Kleeburg, John Casimir, Count Palatine of Palatinate-Kleeburg, Zweib ...
promised to give
Jan Zamoyski Jan Sariusz Zamoyski (; 19 March 1542 – 3 June 1605) was a Polish nobleman, magnate, statesman and the 1st '' ordynat'' of Zamość. He served as the Royal Secretary from 1565, Deputy Chancellor from 1576, Grand Chancellor of the Crown f ...
Lublin Voivodeship Lublin Voivodeship ( ) is a Voivodeships of Poland, voivodeship (province) of Poland, located in the southeastern part of the country, with its capital being the city of Lublin. The region is named after its largest city and regional capital, Lu ...
in hereditary possession for opening the gates of
Zamość Zamość (; ; ) is a historical city in southeastern Poland. It is situated in the southern part of Lublin Voivodeship, about from Lublin, from Warsaw. In 2021, the population of Zamość was 62,021. Zamość was founded in 1580 by Jan Zamoyski ...
Zagłoba asked Jan to promise in return that he would give the Swedish king the province of
Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
in exchange which Jan passed in Latin to a Swedish deputy. Everyone who heard that laughed at the Swedish king. Zagłoba's enduring influence on Polish culture can be seen for example in his appearance in a 2000 Polish television advertisement for the
Okocim Okocim is a village in Brzesko County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland. Less than away from the village is Brzesko town. Okocim lies approximately south-west of Tarnów and east of the regional capital Kraków. Since Polish administrative r ...
brewery.


Zagłoba in film and television

* 1914 - ''
Obrona Częstochowy ''Obrona Częstochowy'' is a 1913 Polish historical film. It is based on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Cast *Maria Dulęba as Oleńka Billewiczówna *Aleksander Zelwerowicz as Jan Onufry Zagłoba *Stefan Jaracz as Michał Wołodyjowski *Bronisła ...
'' (dir.
Edward Puchalski Edward is an English language, English male name. It is derived from the Old English, Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements ''wikt:ead#Old English, ēad'' "wealth, fortunate; prosperous" and ''wikt:weard#Old English, weard'' "gu ...
) - portrayed by
Aleksander Zelwerowicz 200px, Zelwerowicz and Polish Radio, 1949 Aleksander Zelwerowicz (14 August 1877 in Lublin – 18 June 1955 in Warsaw) was a Polish actor, director, theatre president and a teacher. He received the Order of Polonia Restituta and is one of the Po ...
* 1962 - '' Col ferro e col fuoco'' (dir.
Fernando Cerchio Fernando Cerchio (7 August 1914 – 19 August 1974) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed more than 30 films between 1940 and 1972. Selected filmography * ''Men of the Mountain'' (1943) * ''Mistress of the Mountains'' ...
) - portrayed by
Akim Tamiroff Akim Mikhailovich Tamiroff (born Hovakim Tamiryants; October 29, 1899 – September 17, 1972) was an Armenian-American actor of film, stage, and television. One of the premier character actors of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tamiroff developed a pr ...
* 1969 - ''
Pan Wołodyjowski ''Pan Wołodyjowski'' (titled in English as ''Pan Michael'', 1893, and ''Fire in the Steppe'', 1992; other titles used in English discourse include ''Colonel Wołodyjowski'', ''Sir Michael'' and ''Sir Wołodyjowski'') is a historical novel by t ...
'' (dir.
Jerzy Hoffman Jerzy Julian Hoffman (; born 15 March 1932) is a Polish director, screenwriter, and producer. He received the Polish Academy Life Achievement Award in February 2006. Hoffman is best known for his works in ''The Deluge (film), The Deluge'' (1974) ...
) - portrayed by Mieczysław Pawlikowski * 1969 - ''
Przygody pana Michała ''Pan Wołodyjowski'' (titled in English as ''Pan Michael'', 1893, and ''Fire in the Steppe'', 1992; other titles used in English discourse include ''Colonel Wołodyjowski'', ''Sir Michael'' and ''Sir Wołodyjowski'') is a historical novel by t ...
'' (TV series) (dir. Paweł Komorowski) - portrayed by Mieczysław Pawlikowski * 1974 - '' Potop'' (dir. Jerzy Hoffman) - portrayed by Kazimierz Wichniarz * 1999 - ''
Ogniem i mieczem ''By Fire and Sword'' () is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1884. It is the first volume of a series known to Poles as The Trilogy, followed by ''The Deluge (novel), The Deluge'' (''Potop'', 1886) and '' ...
'' (dir. Jerzy Hoffman) - portrayed by
Krzysztof Kowalewski Krzysztof Kowalewski (20 March 1937 – 6 February 2021) was a Polish actor and comedian. Biography Kowalewski was born to a Jewish mother, actress Elżbieta Herszaft-Kowalewska and Polish father, Cyprian Kowalewski, who was a soldier. His fir ...


References


Further reading

* * * * (free public domain text) {{DEFAULTSORT:Zagloba, Onufry Literary characters introduced in 1884 Characters in novels of the 19th century Sienkiewicz's Trilogy Fictional Polish people Fictional nobility Humor and wit characters Polish humour