Vol. 14 (2020): XIV International Symposium Contemporary Issues of Literary Studies : The Silk Road Countries` Folklore
Folklore and Literary Text

Folk Wisdom in „The Knight in the Panther’s Skin“

Lia Karichashvili
Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature

Published 2020-10-20

Keywords

  • Folk Proverbs,
  • The Knight in the Panther's Skin,
  • Aphorisms

Abstract

Rustaveli’s aphorisms are very close to the folk proverbs with their ideas. In the article it is reviewed at one glance, antithetic aphorisms: “Inquire of a hundred, do what pleaseth thine heart, in spite of what any may advise thee” (proverb: “ask hundred people and do what is your will”) and “do that thou desirest not, follow not the will of desires”. Contradicting content of the stances is conditioned by the contrasting psychosomatic conditions of the characters. While for the individual with common sense the statement “Inquire of a hundred…” would be useful, for the “stranger” ready to surrender, solution is the action against one’s will. Thus, both statements are reasonable in proper time and circumstances.