Storm

The Tempest is one of William Shakespeare's most intriguing works. It was probably written between 1610 and 1611, and its first performance took place in 1611 in London at the court of King James I. The play stands out from other Shakespeare works with its fairy-tale atmosphere and symbolic content, intertwining themes of magic, love, revenge and forgiveness.

The action of The Tempest takes place on a remote, mysterious island where Prospero, the exiled prince of Milan, controls spirits and the forces of nature through magic. Accidentally, the ship of his former enemies crashes near the island, which leads to settlements, conflicts and finally - reconciliation.

The first edition appeared in 1623, in the famous First Folio , containing 36 of Shakespeare's plays. This collection, published posthumously by the playwright's friends John Hemminges and Henry Condell, was of great importance in preserving the playwright's literary output. The First Folio edition became an invaluable source for preserving The Tempest , the manuscript of which has been lost.

The Tempest appeared relatively late on the Vistula compared to other works by Shakespeare. The first full translation into Polish was published only in 1847, and the author of this translation was Józef Paszkowski – a famous translator of English literature, who also translated other works by Shakespeare. Paszkowski's translation was distinguished by its attention to preserving the rhythm, poetic language and spiritual depth of the original.

Paszkowski, in his work on The Tempest , tried not only to convey the literal meaning of the words, but also to preserve the beauty of the language and poetic quality, which was a challenge in the case of such a subtle and symbolic play as The Tempest . His translation was long considered exemplary.

After Paszkowski, the next important translator of Shakespeare in Poland was Leon Ulrich , who published his version of The Tempest in 1875. Ulrich, like his predecessor, attached great importance to the literary value of the original, but tried to adapt the language to more contemporary norms in order to make it understandable to a wider audience.

In the 20th century, new translations of The Tempest appeared, attempting to modernize Shakespeare's language in order to make his works more accessible to modern readers. The most famous translations are those made by Maciej Słomczyński (1961) and Stanisław Barańczak (1994). Both translators undertook the difficult task of not only faithfully reproducing the original, but also preserving its stylistic and poetic richness.

Maciej Słomczyński, considered one of the most distinguished Polish translators of English literature, has gained wide recognition for his translation of Shakespeare, which is considered one of the most complete and accurate. Stanisław Barańczak, on the other hand, approached The Tempest in a more interpretive way, trying to capture the spirit of Shakespeare in a way that would resonate with Polish readers of the late 20th century.

The Tempest itself is considered one of Shakespeare's most symbolic and mysterious works. Many literary critics consider it a kind of literary farewell of the playwright to the theatre. The character of Prospero, the magician and ruler of the island, is often interpreted as an alter ego of the playwright himself. Prospero, who ultimately gives up his power, may symbolize Shakespeare, who withdrew from professional life shortly after writing the play and settled in his native Stratford-upon-Avon.

Release Information

Translation: Leon Urlich

Format 8vo (150 x 240), volume 132 s.  Book set in Brunel Roman No 2 font and printed on Century Laid cotton paper. Hand-made binding in full leather. The whole supplied with a case and richly illustrated. 

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