The Great Testament

The Great Testament of François Villon is one of the most important works of medieval French literature. In an extremely original way, it intertwines reflection on transience with an affirmation of life. It was probably written between December 1461 and March 1462, just after the poet left prison in Meung-sur-Loire. Instead of a traditional will in which material goods are given, Villon leaves behind ballads and reflections , creating an absolutely unique work.

François Villon – life and work

François Villon is one of the most intriguing figures of medieval literature. He was both a distinguished poet and an adventurer, whose life was full of scandals and dramatic twists. Born in 15th-century France, he continues to fascinate scholars and poetry lovers to this day. His work, incredibly personal and full of emotion, earned him the nickname "the cursed poet."

Villon is considered one of the first modern French poets to introduce personal reflections and emotions into literature. His most important work, "The Great Testament" , is not only a poetic autobiography, but also a moving meditation on death and transience. In this work, the poet masterfully intertwines melancholy with irony, creating an authentic image of his own experiences and dilemmas.

However, Villon is not only a poet – he is also a man whose life was full of stormy adventures. Numerous conflicts with the law, stays in prison and a constant struggle for survival left their mark on his work. His poems, although often full of humor and mockery, carry a deep reflection on human fate. It is this sincerity and uncompromisingness that make him one of the most exceptional creators of the Middle Ages.

The adventurous life of a poet

François Villon, called the cursed poet , led a life full of scandals, escapes and conflicts with the law. His biography could serve as a script for an adventure movie. Thefts, fights and even accusations of more serious crimes meant that he was repeatedly imprisoned. These experiences not only shaped his character, but were also reflected in his poetry.

Despite the chaos that accompanied him throughout his life, he was able to transform his difficult experiences into literature that still captivates with its sincerity and depth. His works, saturated with irony and cynicism, show the world without embellishment - brutal, but at the same time fascinating. Thanks to this, he became a symbol of an artist who is not afraid to break conventions and talk about life as it really is.

The style and subject matter of his poetry

Villon's poetry is an extraordinary mix of contrasts - melancholy intertwines with ribald humor , and reflection on death borders on sharp satire. His style is dynamic, full of emotions and unexpected turns, which makes his works remain alive and relevant.

In his poems, he often used irony and cynicism , which distinguished him from other medieval poets. His work is not only personal confessions, but also social criticism , showing the injustice and hypocrisy of the world of that time. Thanks to this, his poetry has not lost its relevance - it still inspires subsequent generations of creators who search for the truth about human fate in literature.

The Great Testament – ​​Context and Meaning

The Great Testament of François Villon is an extraordinary work, combining the poet's personal experiences with a literary tradition deeply rooted in the Middle Ages. The poem, written in the form of eight-syllable octaves, is a reflective journey through life, in which the author faces the inevitability of death. The motifs of memento mori and danse macabre run through the work, reminding us of the fragility of human existence.

However, the Great Testament is not only a personal confession of the poet. It is also a testimony of an era – turbulent, full of wars and epidemics that left their mark on society. Villon intertwines autobiographical threads with universal truths about human fate, creating a work that, despite the passing of centuries, still moves and encourages reflection.

The circumstances of the creation of the work

François Villon's life was full of dramatic twists and turns – prison, wandering, conflicts with the law. It was these experiences that shaped the Great Testament , giving it a tone of melancholy but also irony. The poet drew inspiration from his own experiences, creating a work that is both a personal confession and a universal message.

However, Villon does not limit himself to telling stories about himself. His testament is also a picture of medieval France – a country torn by wars and plagued by plagues. The poet, although aware of the inevitability of death, does not lose his distance from the world. Thanks to this, his work is not only moving, but also authentic, forcing the reader to reflect on the meaning of existence.

The Poetic Testament as a Literary Genre

The poetic testament is a unique literary form in which the author styles his work as a last will, summarizing his life and passing on a message to future generations. Villon's Great Testament is a masterful example of this genre - the poet not only shares his thoughts, but also weaves in autobiographical elements, making the work extremely personal.

Literary Motifs in the Great Testament

The Great Testament of François Villon is a true mosaic of literary motifs – from reflections on transience to considerations on love and death. The topos ubi sunt is particularly expressive, expressing longing for the past and the irreversibility of the past. Villon, weaving his poetic reflections, not only refers to the literary tradition, but also draws the reader into a world full of profound reflections on the transience of life.

The form of the testament that the poet adopts is not only a literary convention, but also a tool for expressing both personal and universal truths about human fate. Thanks to this, the Great Testament becomes not only a poetic work, but also a philosophical meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of his destiny.

Danse macabre – the dance of death in Villon's poetry

One of the most evocative motifs in the Great Testament is the danse macabre , or dance of death. This medieval topos emphasizes the omnipresence and inevitability of death, which spares no one—neither rich nor poor, young nor old. In a time when epidemics and wars made death an everyday experience, the danse macabre became a symbol of the equality of all before fate.

Villon, by weaving this motif into his work, not only reminds us of the fragility of life, but also encourages us to reflect on its transience.

Memento mori – reflection on transience

The motif of memento mori , or "remember death," is one of the key elements of the Great Testament . Villon reminds us of the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death—topics that are particularly important in medieval literature. In an era when life was full of uncertainty and death could come at any moment, reflection on transience became not only a philosophical message, but also a way of coming to terms with one's fate.

Ubi sunt – longing for the past

The motif of ubi sunt , or "where are they," is another literary topos that Villon uses in the Great Testament to emphasize the transience of life and the irreversibility of time. The question of the fate of those who have passed away resonates with melancholic force in his poetry, and the famous refrain "Oh, where are the snows of yesteryear?" has become one of the most recognizable quotes in literature.

Villon, reflecting on the past, not only expresses a personal longing, but also creates a universal story about human fate. His poetry, full of nostalgia and deep reflections, still moves readers, making them think about their own lives and the inevitable passage of time.

Is there a way to stop what inevitably passes? Or is it the awareness of loss that gives life its true value?

The most important ballads in the "Great Testament"

François Villon's "Great Testament" is a work in which the ballads give it an exceptional depth and emotional dimension. Each of them brings a unique reflection on life, death and the inevitable passing of time . The "Ballad of the Ladies of the Past" and "Ballad of the Lords of the Past" stand out in particular, masterfully combining the poet's personal reflections with universal truths about human fate.

"Ballad of the Ladies of the Past" - a reflection on the fate of women

One of Villon's most famous ballads, in which the poet asks about the fate of beautiful women from the past, using the classic topos ubi sunt . The piece encourages reflection on the transience of beauty and the inevitable passage of time . Each verse reminds us that even the greatest beauty and fame are not able to resist transience.

The ballad fits perfectly into the theme of the "Great Testament" , combining the poet's personal reflections with a universal message. Villon not only expresses melancholy, but also provokes reflection on the value of life and the memory of those who have passed away .

"The Ballad of the Lords of Old Time" - a recollection of former rulers

Like the previous ballad, this one also takes up the subject of transience, but focuses on the fates of past rulers and knights. Villon reminds us that even the mightiest and bravest were not able to avoid death . It is a bitter reflection on the fragility of human existence.

By recalling historical figures, the poet not only pays homage to the past but also makes us reflect on the present. This ballad is not only a lament for the passing of time, but also a subtle reminder that in the face of death we are all equal .

"The Lamentations of the Beautiful Armorer" - a lament for lost youth

In this ballad, the heroine laments her lost youth and beauty . Her words are full of longing for the days gone by, when she enjoyed the attention of admirers and the joy of life. Villon, through her story, shows not only the sadness associated with transience, but also a reflection on how the perception of values ​​changes in different stages of life.

Like other pieces in the "Great Testament" , this ballad combines personal emotions with a universal message. The armorer, although immersed in grief, reminds us that every moment has its value , and youth, although fleeting, leaves a mark in memory.

"The Ballad of Villon and Fat Małgosia" – Irony and Cynicism in Villon's Poetry

In this piece, Villon abandons melancholy in favor of irony and cynicism . He presents the brutal reality of street life, showing the fate of characters caught up in poverty and debauchery. In contrast to the more reflective ballads, here the poet uses sharp humor to show the harshness of the world in which he has to live.

Villon not only criticizes social inequalities , but also shows how difficult conditions shape human destinies. His ironic approach makes this ballad both a satire and a bitter reflection on the human condition.

"The Ballad of the Hanged Men" - a request for prayer from the convicts

A moving piece in which the condemned ask for prayer and forgiveness . Villon, himself a victim of fate, gives voice to those on the verge of death, showing their desperation and desire for redemption.

This ballad, which is part of the "Great Testament" , is not only the poet's personal reflection on his own fate, but also a universal message about human fragility . The convicts' request for prayer becomes a reminder that everyone deserves a little mercy and memory .

"The Ballad of the Wilonowa Appeal" - a poetic defense against the verdict

In this piece, Villon poetically defends himself against the death sentence . His words are full of both irony and desperation, making this ballad one of the most personal pieces in the entire "Great Testament" .

The poet, balancing between humor and seriousness, shows his fears related to the inevitability of the verdict. His appeal is not only an attempt to save his own life, but also a reflection on justice and the fate of man in the face of court .

"The Ballad of the Servant at the End" - the poet's farewell to the world

Villon's poetic farewell to the world. In the last lines of his work, the poet asks for prayer and remembrance after his death , leaving the reader to reflect on the fragility of human existence.

This ballad, which closes the "Great Testament" , is full of emotion and deep contemplation. Villon, aware of his fate, not only bids farewell to life, but also leaves behind a message about memory and transience . Is there a more moving way to end a literary testament?

Codicil to the Testament of Master Franciszek Wilon - supplement to the Great Testament

The Codicil to the Testament of Master Franciszek Villon is a fascinating supplement to the Great Testament , which not only introduces new ballads, but also deepens the poet's reflections. François Villon, through this supplement, develops earlier thoughts and delves even deeper into the themes of life, death and human fate . The effect? ​​His testament takes on a new, even more multidimensional character.

In the Codicil, Villon continues his reflections, enriching them with subtle nuances and stronger emotional tension. Irony intertwines with melancholy , and philosophical reflections contrast with brutal reality. This is not just an addition to the Great Testament , but its natural development. The reader receives an even fuller picture of the poet's world - full of contradictions, humor, and deep contemplation .

It is rare for a literary supplement to enrich the original work so significantly, opening up new perspectives for the reader and provoking further reflection. So is the Codicil an epilogue? Or perhaps a new, separate chapter in Villon's work?

Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński as the translator of the Great Testament

Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński , an outstanding Polish translator and writer, played a key role in introducing the work of François Villon to Polish readers. In 1917, he translated the Great Testament , opening the world of medieval poetry to readers. His translation not only brought Villon's work closer to them, but also became a significant event in the history of Polish literature.

Boy-Żeleński styled the work in Old Polish , which allowed him to retain the atmosphere of the original while making the text more accessible. Thanks to this, Polish readers can experience Villon's poetry in a form that captures the spirit of the era and remains understandable. His translation not only faithfully captures the rhythm and emotion of medieval poetry, but also enriches it with elements that make it more engaging.

Stylization in the Old Polish language

One of the most characteristic aspects of Boy-Żeleński's translation is his stylization into the Old Polish language . This approach gave the translation a unique color, combining the features of the original with elements of the Polish literary tradition. Boy-Żeleński not only paid homage to medieval poetics, but also created a text that remains accessible to the modern reader.

This stylization allows for the preservation of many features of the original, while at the same time adapting the text to the realities of the Polish language. It is precisely this ability to balance between fidelity to the original and accessibility for the reader that makes Boy-Żeleński's translation still valued. His translation not only faithfully captures the spirit of Villon, but also enriches Polish literature with a work that combines tradition with modernity.

The impact of translation on the reception of the work

Boy-Żeleński's translation had a huge impact on the reception of the Great Testament in Poland. Thanks to his work, Polish readers could for the first time immerse themselves in Villon's world, discovering the richness and depth of his poetry. This translation not only contributed to the popularization of Villon , but also opened the door to medieval French literature for Polish readers.

Boy-Żeleński has created a translation that is both faithful to the original and accessible to the modern reader . His work has enriched Polish literature and broadened the horizons of readers, allowing them to discover the universal truths contained in Villon's poetry. Few translations can have such a significant impact on the reception of a work and give it new life in a different cultural context .

The Great Testament in the Context of Medieval French Literature

François Villon's Great Testament is one of the most important works of medieval French literature . Its uniqueness is due not only to its masterful style, but also to the historical moment in which it was written. At a time when Latin dominated writing, Villon consciously chose French, contributing to the development of a national literature. It was a bold step that helped shape the French literary identity.

This work is not only a record of the poet's personal experiences, but also a mirror of the social and cultural changes in 15th-century France. Villon skillfully intertwines elements of medieval tradition with an innovative, more intimate style. His poetry, full of irony and reflection on human fate, still inspires and encourages deep reflection.

Villon's Place in European Literature

François Villon is a figure whose influence on European literature is hard to overestimate. He was one of the first poets to introduce personal experiences into poetry, paving the way for modern literature. His work, balancing between medieval tradition and innovative approach, set new directions in poetry and inspired subsequent generations.

His poetry, full of irony and profound reflections, continues to move readers around the world. Thanks to his authenticity and courage in breaking conventions, he has permanently entered the canon of European literature, remaining a symbol of an artist who is not afraid to tell the truth about human fate.

ABOUT THE EDITION

Our edition is based on the 1927 edition. The book was printed on Fabriano Tiepolo 130 g cotton paper and set with the Monotype Walbaum font.

Hand-bound with case. Marbled block edges.

Circulation: 25 copies.

Format: 174.5 × 249 mm, 224 pages.

On our blog we also present our edition of the Great Testament in a binding made at the special request of one of our readers.