Hektorović’s Measure: A Contribution to a Reading of a Well-Rounded Oeuvre

U ovom radu pozabavio sam se pjesnikovim poimanjem mjere kao svojevrsnim estetskim orijentirom i još određenijim etičkim korektivom. Naime, Hektorović kaže kako stihove piše po mjeri, to jest slijedeći strogi ritam i zadani raspon slogova (dakle: metriku), no još više ističe mjeru koje se treba držati u ponašanju i postupanju, držeći se pritom podjednako načelnih stoičkih koliko i rigidno kršćanskih načela. Dobar znalac antičke mudrosti (posebno pitagorejstva) i srednjovjekovne moralke, svoje stavove oprimjeruje i djelovanjem svojih suputnika na svojem ribolovnom i pjesmotvornom plovu, a u poslanicama prijateljima također se izričito zalaže za odmjerenost i umjerenost. Nizom izravnih navoda iz spjeva Ribanje i ribarsko prigovaranje te inih autorskih tekstova nastojao sam ukazati na pravu obuzetost količinama i brojevima kao Hektorovićevu metodu verificiranja zbiljnosti opisa, a pogotovo na njegovu brigu za mjerodavnim i primjerenim shvaćanjem kozmičkog poretka, bogomdane mjere.In this paper I have concerned myself with the poet’s concept of measure, a kind of point of reference and even more so a determined ethical corrective. Hektorović, that is, says he writes verses »according to measure«, in other words, following a strict rhythm and a set range of syllables (a metre, that is); but still more he lays stress on the measure that has to be kept in one’s conduct and proceedings, abiding both by Stoic principles and rigidly Christian principles. Well versed in classical wisdom (particularly in Pythagoreanism) and in medieval moralism, he exemplifies his views by the actions of his travelling companions in his piscatorial and poeticising voyage, and in his epistles to friends also particularly advocates moderation and temperance. With a number of direct quotations from the poem Fishing and Fishermen’s Conversation as well as other writings of this author, I have endeavoured to suggest that his real absorption in quantities and numbers is Hektorović’s method of verifying the reality of the description, particularly his concern for a competent and appropriate understanding of the cosmic order, the divinely appointed measure