LABIRYNTY MYSZKINA (PODRÓŻ SZESTOWOWSKA)

The aim of the paper is to present prince Myshkin’s highly complex, almost labyrinthinepersonality. Reading addresses and undermines all the homogenizing interpretations(e.g. Lev Shestov’s notoriously malevolent reading of Myshkin) that aimat discovering “one” truth about this character, be it positive or negative, and thusfail to acknowledge its contradictory elements. I also intend to show that the princecan be seen as much more of a “Shestovian,” tragic and divided figure as one couldinitially think. Shestov’s philosophical thought inspires the investigations, first asa starting point for the analysis of Myshkin criticisms in scholarly literature, then asa polemical reference, and finally as a basis for formulating a lead thesis. I am ledto conclude that building Myshkin’s character, being as it is, largely inconsistent,insecure, and errant in his moral evaluations of other people, Dostoevsky opposedany attempts at exhausting, finalizing the identity of the other human being in theabstract net of rational interpretations. At the same time Dostoevsky most powerfullybrought to light that which is most fragile, intimate and therefore prone to misunderstandingor a hasty critique - the tragedy of an individual life.