Long, Broad and Sharp Eyes - Analysis
Karel Jaromir Erben
1. History 2. Cultural Background - Theatres, CD 3. Illustrations, Films, Songs 4. Contents 5. Structure, Magic Symbols of Numbers
1. History This is the Czech national fairy tale. The old tale was written down for the first time by Karel Jaromír Erben during national revival. It was issued for the first time in the fifties of the 19th century when realism won above romantic revival and interest in folklore got into scientific base. Erben was sure that in tales are hidden the roots of the old myths. The Erben’s tales were again issued after 1918 when the independent Czechoslovak republic came into being. During nazism were the fairy-tales, the historical stories and the different allegories nearly the only fiction which could be issued. The fates of heroes reinforced our nation.
2. Cultural Background In the 45th and 70th of the 20th century when started to appear so- called theatres of small forms, which had to captivate spectators by an unusual look at classical works, the Theatre of Jára Cimrman staged the fairy-tale Long ,Broad and Sharp Eyes. The Theatre of Jára Cimrman is the theatre which is based on myth of non-existent person of doubtful austria-hungarian intellectual Jara Cimrman. In posting of this popular theatre fairy-tale hasn’t been fairy-tale yet, but it is the humorous play for adults, when the old topic is turned inside out. In this time fairy-tale is played in Moravian Slovak theatre in Uherské Hradište, in south Bohemian theatre in Ceské Budejovice, in Prague theatre Nablízko and in many others. It belongs to basic repertoire of children’s theatres (see in appendix of photographs from performance). CD with this fairy-tale are published, where songs sound (see in appendix). All-state association of Long, Broad and Sharp Eyes exists, which organize summer children camps and pronounce competitions. Children fulfil different tasks and show their agility and cleverness.
3. Illustrations, Films, Songs Fairy-tale is inspirational for artists, too. The beautiful illustrations of books (see in appendix) exist and art’s objects and photographs (see in appendix-photographer Jirí Šebek). In these days is preparing full-length film for the cinemas by director Hynek Bocan (Long Broad, and Sharp Eyes), it was paid 5,000,000 (million) crowns by the state. Modern rock group Zuby has one song Long, Broad and sharp eyes on one of its CD.
4. Contents The hero is the prince. He has to find a bride. He must get over many obstacles. At first of all he goes to the world alone. He finds new friends. They are able to use the supernatural qualities. Long can unbelievable lengthen, Broad can drink up the whole pond and sharp eyes can shatter the rock by his look. The prince hasn’t any special qualities but he has good friends. It is the fairy-tale about real friendship. Prince’s friends are allegories of human senses-sight and body power. Prince’s enemy is a wizard. He has huge power and he is cruel. He defends to prince to obtain princess. In his waist he has three strong hoops. They represent his power and life. All three hoops will gradually burst. Princess is fragile and beautiful. She is a passive victim, she is a woman, for who they must fight. She is defenceless.
5. Structure a) Magic Symbols of Numbers Fairy-tale works with magic symbols of numbers, multiples of three. Prince chooses his bride from twelve beautiful virgins on the picture. He will meet three brave friends, he must fulfill three tasks and a wizard is saved by three strong hoops.
b.) Composition This Fairy-tale keeps classic composition scheme : 1.) Introduction into the action - Once upon the time there was a handsome young prince 2.) Graduation of the action - prince has to fight for his bride 3.) Culmination of the action - 3rd task seems to be unworkable. 4.) Solution of the conflict - the task was fulfilled, the wizard is dying. 5.) Conclusion - the prince lives with his bride happily, his friends leave to find another adventures.
c) Language Also in language the fairy - tale is typical and it uses idioms : Beginning : Once upon the time there was an old king and he had only one son.
Conclusion : Since this time they have been traipsing around the world till now.