On the Persuasion in Old Polish Anti-plague Handbooks

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyse the anti-plague handbooks from the 16th and 17th centuries as persuasive texts. The exemplification material consists of works diversified in terms of structure, style and volume, written by Piotr Umiastowski, Sebastian Petrycy from Pilzno, Marcin from Klecko and Paweł Lubiecki. The analysis of the texts and elements of the literary and editorial framework shows how the authors defined the audience and adapted the text to it on the level of inventio (argumentation based on ethos, arguments from authority and from example) and dispositio. The methods and means recommended in the anti-pest manuals could not – from the perspective of today's medical knowledge – be effective in combating the epidemic. Still, the texts undoubtedly allowed to tackle the phenomenon and to give spiritual support to the sick and threatened.