Topic: „Dante and Georgia” – in two Georgian essays

Abstract

The first essay was written in 1922. The second – in 1970. The former was penned by Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, aged 30 at the time. The latter – by 60 year-old Akaki Gatserelia.  Gamsakhurdia refers to the Florentine genius as Alighieri Dante. Gatserelia – as Dante Alighieri.  Perhaps the essential difference between these two great masters of style is evident already here. Similarities are apparent: bottomless erudition, exquisite intuition, depth of thought, artistic style… Yet, the stark individualism of both amazes through this list of similarities.

Gamsakhurdia, a young writer at the time, would later rise to prominence  as an author of seminal novels and the translator (together with Konstantine Chichinadze) of Alighieri’s magnum opus.  Gatserelia was a scholar, philologist, literary critic who studied and taught Dante’s oeuvre.

Gamsakhurdia’s essay is Titled “Alighieri Dante”. Gatserelia’s – “Dante and pre-historic Georgia”.

The former is a true essay, with all the essential characteristics of the genre.  The latter can only formally be labelled as such. It is rather an academic study, whereby the author and his sentiments do not figure as much as in Gatserelia’s renowned essays.

But why Alighieri Dante?

Those familiar with Gamsakhurdia’s literary and personal character know that striving for originality is his essential quality. This seems all the more natural considering his age at the time of penning the essay. However, “reversing” the name and surname of the author of the Divine Comedy cannot be ascribed  to Gamsakhurdia’s age alone: in an earlier, 1917 essay for the occasion of Kita Abashidze’s passing, Gamsakhurdia writes:  “It is with anguish that I recite the revealing and mystical thought-provoking  words of Dante Alighieri:  “'In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself”.

Originality has probably never been Gatserelia’s primary goal. However, his style is also strikingly singular, artistic in moderation, esthetically refined and, most importantly, imbued with profound thought.

Gamsakhurdia’s essay thrills us not only with his aforementioned erudition, but also with masterful writing. Gatserelia’s thought emphasizes scholarly inkling.  This is why the prominent literary critic of the following generation, Guram Asatiani would write about Gatserelia: “His knowledge and intuition would suffice for several scholars, his skill and refinement – for several literary experts”.

Crucial here, however, is to what extent these two essays reflect the direct or indirect links between Dante’s life and art and Georgia and its mythical or historical realities.

Our goals is to research and demonstrate these connections.