Lingvoliterární (filologická) metoda Alexandra Sticha a studium literatury raného novověku

This paper assesses the works of Professor Alexandr Stich (1934–2003) devoted to the literature of the Early Modern era (especially the Baroque). This influential literary historian, linguist and textual critic turned his attention to Baroque literature mainly after 1989, and it remained at the centre of his interest until his death. The article delineates the various areas of Stich’s research into 16th–18th century literature (evaluative surveys, synthetic studies, interpretations of individual works, studies of motifs manifesting themselves in various eras of literary history). The author analyzes Stich’s ‘linguistic-literary’ method which combines literary history with linguistic methodology, placing it in the context of traditional philological research and studies of literary stylistics. Stich’s focus on the interpretation of texts and his analysis of key motifs of Baroque literature is assessed alongside his application of newer trends incorporating the external contexts of literary works (cultural studies, New Historicism).