Krystyn Ostrowski
Krystyn Piotr Celestyn Józef Ostrowski (1811–1882) was born on the family estate in Ujazd, near Tomaszów Mazowiecki. He was a poet, dramatist, translator, journalist and political activist in exile. He had the title of a count. He completed three translations, today almost entirely forgotten, two of which – as a result of the choice of titles and their quick transfer to the stage – played a significant role in the reception history of Shakespeare’s drama.
Ostrowski’s translations appeared in Kraków and Paris, with a view to stage performance. In quick succession, and at an unprecedented rate, his work was published in Paris, Leipzig, Kraków and Lwów. Ostrowski used rhymed verse and made interpolations and omissions. In the context of 19th-century translation practice, Ostrowski stands as the most radical exemplar of an approach that moulds the original text to fit with local aesthetic preferences, theatrical conventions and above all subjective interpretations determined by ideological forces. To a very great extent these traits resulted in the marginalisation of Ostrowski’s work in later years.
Ostrowski’s translations were mostly used for stage productions. In 1865, his Merchant of Venice (Lichwiarz) played in Lwów, followed by his Hamlet in 1871. Three weeks after the first performance in Lwów, the same translation of Hamlet was staged in Warsaw as part of a benefit for Helena Modrzejewska. It was the first, widely-noted Warsaw production of the play that used a translation from the original text. In spite of these successes, Ostrowski’s translations met with stiff criticism for their ostentatious departures from the letter and the spirit of the original. The only translation to be republished was Anthony and Cleopatra (Antoniusz i Kleopatra), albeit in a compilation with Mścisław Karski’s version. In later years Ostrowski’s translations were not performed.
Bibliography of translations
[William Shakespeare], Kupiec wenecki, Dramat w trzech aktach miarowym wierszem podług Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Krystyn Ostrowski, Dziełka dramatyczne, nakładem autora, Kraków 1861, s. 85–199.
[William Shakespeare], Kupiec wenecki, Dramat w trzech aktach miarowym wierszem podług Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Krystyn Ostrowski, Jamby polskie, T. 2, Wolfgang-Gerhard, Lipsk, E. Dentu, Paryż 1863, s. 1–103.
[William Shakespeare], Lichwiarz: komedja w trzech aktach miarowym wierszem podług Szekspira (Kupiec wenecki), tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski, Księgarnia Luxemburgska, Paryż 1868; wydanie 2: Księgarnia Luxemburgska, Paryż 1868; wydanie 3: Księgarnia Luxemburgska, Paryż 1868.
[William Shakespeare], Hamlet królewic duński: dramat w 5 aktach W. Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski, Richter, Lwów 1870.
[William Shakespeare], Antoniusz i Kleopatra: dramat w 5 aktach W. Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski, Librairie internationale, Paryż 1872.
[William Shakespeare], Hamlet, królewic duński, dramat w pięciu aktach W. Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Krystyn Ostrowski, Dzieła polskie, Alphonse Lemerre, Paryż 1876, s. 25–72.
[William Shakespeare], Antoniusz i Kleopatra, dramat w pięciu aktach W. Szekspira, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Krystyn Ostrowski, Dzieła polskie, Alphonse Lemerre, Paryż 1876, s. 77–121.
[William Shakespeare], Lichwiarz, komedya w trzech aktach, podług W. Szekspira (Kupiec wenecki), tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Krystyn Ostrowski, Dzieła polskie, Alphonse Lemerre, Paryż 1876, s. 122–144.
[William Shakespeare], Antoniusz i Kleopatra, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] Henryk Biegeleisen (red.), Dzieła Williama Szekspira, T. 2, Dramaty rzymskie, Księgarnia Polska, Lwów 1895, s. 225–329.
William Shakespeare, Antoniusz i Kleopatra: dramat w 5 aktach, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski, W. Zukerkandel Złoczów 1900 [Biblioteka Powszechna, nr 317–318]
William Shakespeare, Antoniusz i Kleopatra, tłum. Krystyn Ostrowski [w:] William Shakespeare, Dzieła dramatyczne w dwunastu tomach, życiorys Shakespeare’a i przedm. do poszczególnych utworów oprac. Roman Dyboski, studyum Shakespeare w Polsce napisał Ludwik Biernacki; wyboru przekładów dokonał Stanisław Krzemiński, T. 9, Gebethner i Wolff, Warszawa 1912.