Polish literature

The beginnings of Polish literature are related to Latin literature and writing. This literature existed in Polish lands from the tenth / eleventh century. The first texts were the lives of saints, for example, the Life of Saint Adalbert and the lives of the Five Brothers of the Martyrs. The most important texts written in Latin are the chronicles of Galla Anonymous (early 12th century), Wincenty Kadłubek (XII century), Kronika wielkopolska (XIII / XIV century).

Literature in Polish began to develop in the 13th century (the oldest record in Polish is the sentence from the Book of Henrykow, noted in the year 1270) when selected books of the Holy Bible, mainly the Psalter, prayers and sermons were translated into the Polish language.

Renaissance
The theme of work in the Polish literature of the Renaissance period (around 1500-1620) was changed from religious to secular. The books were written Latin and Polish. Mikołaj Rej - who is the author of dialogues; Short dissertation between three people, the Lord, the Head of the Commune and Parson, 1543), ethical treatises on decent life, the collections of poems and dramatic works Jan Kochanowski, whose work contributed to the development of the Polish literary language. Author of epigrams, songs, occasional poems, tragedies and tragedies.

Baroque
The development of baroque aesthetics in Polish literature is dated for the years 1620-1764. There is an early Baroque (from around 1620 to the end of the reign of King Sigismund III), a bloom (from the end of the reign of Zygmunt III to the Saxon times) and a declining period (Saxon times). Baroque literature in Poland was based on the model of European literature, it focused on religious, mystical and existential themes.

The representatives of the early period of the Baroque transitional period include: Mikołaj Sęp Szarzyński, Kasper Miaskowski, Stanisław Grochowski, Sebastian Grabowiecki, Mateusz Bembus and Piotr Skarga.

Baroque literature is represented by Jan Andrzej Morsztyn (1621-1693). His works were collected in two volumes. Other writers of this period are: Daniel Naborowski, author of numerous works written in Polish and Latin, Szymon Zimorowic, author of Roksolanki.

Enlightenment 

The flourishing of the new epoch took place during the reign of Stanisław August Poniatowski (1764- 1795). From March 1765 a magazine called Monitor promoting rationalism and religious tolerance was published. It was edited by Ignacy Krasicki and Franciszek Bohomolec with the support of the king. The King organized Thursday lunches, during which art, culture, and reform projects were discussed. The most prominent poets of that time published their works in the weekly magazine Zabawy Przyjemne i Pożyteczne (1770-1777). Influential poets were: Ignacy Krasicki and Franciszek Karpiński , Franciszek Dionysy Kniaźnin, Adam Naruszewicz, Stanisław Trembecki and Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz.

Romanticism

When from the part of the territory of the Duchy of Poland, the Kingdom of Poland was created under the rule of Tsar Alexander I, the inhabitants began to oppose attempts to subjugate the Kingdom of Poland to Russia. In 1819 censorship was introduced, magazines were closed, prints of some books were stopped. People representing the young generation opposed this situation. There was a dispute between the classics and the romantics, first about literature and then about political issues such as the attitude towards the invaders. The most famous poet of this period was Adam Mickiewicz who became the voice of the generation of romantics, publishing the famous Ode to Youth and the Song of Filarets. He also wrote many poems published in books (first in 1822). This date was considered the official beginning of the Romantic era in Poland. In later years, when he was exiled deep into Russia where he created works such as: Konrad Wallenrod, Crimean Sonnets, ballads. Thanks to the efforts of friends, Mickiewicz managed to leave Russia and go to the West. In 1834, Mickiewicz wrote the Polish national epic - Pan Tadeusz.

The second important romantic poet was Juliusz Słowacki. Słowacki's texts addressed important issues related to the national liberation struggle, the past of Poles, but also raised universal existential themes. His work was distinguished by mysticism, magnificent wealth of imagination, poetic portraits and language. He published several volumes of poetry, and wrote, among others, Kordian, Balladyna (dramas), Beniowski or Wacław (poems). Other creators of the Romantic era were, for example, Aleksander Fredro (comedies: Mr. Geldhab, Revenge), Zygmunt Krasiński (poems).

Positivism

The end of the 19th century is considered the beginning of this era in Poland. The program of Polish positivists was based on four principles:

• organic work, or the pursuit of economic development of Polish lands.
• organic work, striving to spread education, increase national awareness in the fight against Russification and Germanization used by the invaders,
• assimilation of Jews and other national minorities
• Emancipation of women, striving for equality of women in Polish society

According to the positivists' concept, the literature was to be utilitarian. Prose unfolded, epic species shaped society, and poetry went to the background. The most important creators of this period were:

• in prose :Bolesław Prus, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Eliza Orzeszkowa.
• in poetry: Adam Asnyk, Mikołaj Biernacki and Maria Konopnicka distinguished themselves.
• in drama: Józef Narzymski, Edward Lubowski, Michał Bałucki, Kazimierz Zalewski, and Aleksander Świętochowski.

Young Poland 1891-1918

The beginning of this era is assumed in 1891, the year of debuts of the new generation. They were: Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer, Franciszek Nowicki, and Andrzej Niemojewski. Among the distinguished poets Kazimierz Przerwa -Tetmajer can be mentioned. He wrote about eroticism - gloomy and dark, because it brought disappointment. Jan Kasprowicz was also known - after years of rebellion when he wrote naturalistic, symbolic and expressionistic poetry. The women's poetry trend is represented by: Maria Komornicka, Maryla Wolska, Bronisława Ostrowska and Zofia Nałkowska. In the years of the First World War patriotic and legion poetry began to emerge.

The interwar period

The recovery of Poland's independence in 1918 after more than a century of partitioned Poland opened new directions for literature. The Trade Union of Writers was founded. Poets had visions of the bright future of Poland. This trend was represented by the poets of the Skamander group.

In the next period, the poets began to express pessimism in their works, a shock caused by economic recession, a loss of a sense of stability and security. Catastrophic literature was emerging (clearly seen in the works of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz and the poets of the Krakow Avant-Garde).

The poetry of the interwar period was dominated by: Bolesław Leśmian,Leopold Staff and Jan Kasprowicz. Subsequent poetry of many trends was born. The poets of a new generation began to create.

Currents and groups:

• the creators of the Skamander group: Jan Lechoń, Julian Tuwim (including the Rhymes Fair), Antoni Słonimski, Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz and Kazimierz Wierzyński.
• Women's unique poetry was created by: Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska (erotic poetry, new syntax) and Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna (religiosity).
• Poets of the avant-garde are: Julian Przyboś, Tadeusz Peiper, Anatol Stern and Bruno Jasieński.
• In reference to the romantic tradition, Józef Czechowicz and Jerzy Liebert wrote.
• Revolutionary and patriotic trend: Władysław Broniewski.
• Czesław Miłosz, Władysław Sebyła and others made the catastrophic poetry.
• Futurists: Stanisław Młodożeniec, Tytus Czyżewski and Bruno Jasieński, Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński.

The Second World War

Polish literature during World War II - during the German and Soviet occupation, artistic, literary and publishing activities were actually suspended. Publishing, secondary and higher education as well as all related institutions have been closed. Many writers were sent to concentration camps, labor camps, ghettos or they were deported or emigrated. Some formed in secret and met during illegal poetry readings. The young generation of poets sometimes decided to publish their works conspiratorially. They were called the Columbus generation. They took part in the struggle for the survival of the Polish nation.

Representatives of the group were: Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, Tadeusz Gajcy, Andrzej Trzebiński, Roman Bratny, Wacław Bojarski, Witold Zalewski, Mieczysław Jastrun, Czesław Miłosz, Jerzy Zagórski, Zdzisław Broncel, Lucjan Szenwald and Adam Ważyk. The theme of the poems was usually the ongoing war and all its aspects.

Modern literature 

Artists such as Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński, Julian Tuwim, Adam Ważyk, Julian Przyboś, Stanisław Jerzy Lec, Arnold Słucki, Antoni Słonimski and Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna and Tadeusz Różewicz should be distinguished.

In poetry, the authors condemned to silence during the Stalinist years started writing again.
Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna, Tadeusz Różewicz, Tadeusz Kubiak, Stanisław Grochowiak, Wisława Szymborska should be mentioned. The works of all of them are dominated by the reflections on civilization, humanity and the limits of humanity in the world.

At the end of the 1950s, censorship was more and more often turned into literature.