SKOVORODA VS SHEVCHENKO (AN ECHO OF IDEAS)

Abstract

The article offers an analysis of the profound connections between the literary works of Skovoroda and Shevchenko. It traces a link between Skovoroda’s philosophy of the heart (cardiocentrism) and Shevchenko’s heart prayer and verbal prayer. The scholars’ world views were formed by different times and existing cultural and social norms. They received different education and suffered dissimilar fates. Shevchenko was critical of Skovoroda’s writing style, believing that it negatively influenced the language of Kotlyarevsky’s “Eneida.” However, Shevchenko carried on Skovoroda’s concept of the traveling Ukrainian philosopher, the idea of the heart, and the philosophy of human happiness into his own poetic works expressed through Ukrainian folk language. The article highlights inter-textual connections between Skovoroda and Shevchecnko’s literary works. It concludes that the language of literary works, scholars, and education is tied to the national and social self-awareness of the nation.