Serbian Studies: Journal of the North American Society for Serbian Studies

Abstract:

The poetry of the contemporary Serbian poet Novica Tadić continues and expands upon the poetics and aesthetics of the medieval, Byzantine, and early Christian epochs. In this paper, we deal with texts in which we note the presence of particular medieval topoi. First, we examine the role of the topos of humility and sinfulness in which the author, in the manner of a medieval scribe, defines himself as inadequate and unworthy. We observe this topos through the connection of the principles of authorship in medieval and contemporary literature. Within the topos of creation, we identify commonplaces where scribal problems are communicated, and where the saints, especially the Virgin Mary, are invoked to help with earthly grievances. Considering the fact that Tadić’s poetry is characterized by an ambivalent relationship towards every type of literature and tradition, we shall try to shed light on the possible meanings of these topoi in relation to his authorial poetics, which science most often deems autochthonous.