Intertextual Aspects of Desanka Maksimović’s Poetry Collection “Tražim pomilovanje”

Abstract

A comparative approach to literature involves appropriate methodology and terminology apparatus to deal with the intertextuality of a literary work. The book of poetry Tražim pomilovanje by Desanka Maksimović (1898–1993) came into existence as a result of poet’s creative dialogue with Dušan’s Code (Dušanov zakonik), a medieval Serbian book of law, which is also considered a literary work. In the subtext of this collection of poems we can clearly notice a strong intertextual connection to the Bible, and also the wide range of intertextual connections with other literary texts, particulary with the poem “Litany” by the Polish poet Julian Tuwim (1894–1953). Maksimović’s poetry is replete with literary and religious motifs, which makes it easy to recognise its affiliation to the culture and tradition. The aim of this paper is to highlight those intertextual aspects of the poetry collection.