The
poem recounts chronologically the events that led to the
Uprising against the Dahije and the
First Serbian Uprising in 1804. In the opening part of the poem, the poet sends an artistic
message about the imminent
rebellion by describing rare natural events.
Solar eclipse,
comets and
lunar eclipse are all signs which indicate the start of the rebellion against
Turks, and it is the ordinary people who will start the uprising. Meanwhile, Turks are also watching these occurrences. For Serbian people, the signs mean they should fight the Turks, and for Dahiyas, Turkish leaders, they are bad
omens that need to be interpreted. Dahiyas use traditional
divination methods:
hydromancy and interpreting holy
prophet books. All signs indicate the downfall of the Turks. Dahiyas were cruel to the Serbian people and thereby they offended their fallen Sultan’s legacy. The
Slaughter of the Knezes will ensue after the young Fočić arrogantly rejects his father’s advice. The Serbs are infuriated when Turks come to
Topola to execute
Karađorđe (the leader of the First Serbian Uprising). Filip Višnjić gives the role of the hero to the people and Karađorđe’s victorious speech by the
Drina river marks the final revenge of the oppressed. == External links ==