OBRAZ METODA AKO LITERÁRNEJ POSTAVY V SLOVENSKEJ PRÓZE

The aim of the article is to examine the image of Methodius as a literary character in the main literary texts of Slovak prose, which are thematically focused on the period of Great Moravia. We work with texts by three authors, namely J. M. Hurban: Svadba kráľa veľkomoravského (1842); M. Ferko: Svätopluk (1975) and Svätopluk a Metod (1985); F. Rábek: Tajomstvo Zoborského kláštora (2019). We use the techniques of text analysis, interpretation and comparison. Using eight criteria, we observe in what ways the mentioned authors’ approaches in a connection to the reflection of Methodius coincide and in what ways they differ. Our attention is focused on the following aspects: the time span of the plot, character traits, character development and psychologization, the relationship between Methodius and Svätopluk, Methodius‘ disputes with the Frankish bishops, the role of Methodius in the spread of Christianity in Bohemia, the role of Methodius in the literary text and intertextuality in a relation to medieval texts. Despite certain differences, a positive character image of Methodius dominates in Slovak prosaic texts – it varies between mythicization, demythicization and glorification. The most plastic portrayal of the character of Methodius can be observed in the novels of M. Ferko. Authors of modern literary texts preserve the idea of Methodius as a saint, which has been handed down since the Middle Ages.