OSIRIS AND SET. A MYTHOLOGICAL MATRIX IN BOLESLAW PRUS' 'PHARAOH' (Ozyrys i Set. Mitologiczna matryca w 'Faraonie' Boleslawa Prusa)

The article aims at reinterpreting Boleslaw Prus' novel Pharaoh made with the use of religious and anthropological contexts. The basic events of the plot were presented as mythological categories: as a fight between twin deities (Osiris and Set), making an offering, miraculous ressurection, and restoration of order. In this manner Prus presents a genetic and functional dependence of old cultural institution (such as politics, monarchy, army, arts, science, economy) on ritual-religious system.