MELETII SMOTRYTSKYI’S POETRY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY UKRAINIAN BAROQUE

iare considered, which was an outstanding, bright phenomenon, developed in the context of European art and was distinguished by the dynamism of images and compositions, the depiction of contrasts, complex metaphor, allegory, splendour, colourfulness, rhetorical presentation, decoration, and emblematic image.It is noted that a significant place in the history of Ukrainian baroque literature is occupied by the work of Meletiy Smotrytsky, a representative of polemical literature, which was a bright phenomenon, but somewhat confessionally biased and ambiguous.Polemical literature represented ancient Ukrainian journalism and aroused researchers' interest in its system of genres and style.The polemical authors of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries elaborated on the issues of religious life and its contradictions, since such literature of dispute and discussion made it possible to expand the search for new stylistic techniques and the skilful use of various artistic means.The article notes that Meletiy Smotrytskyi's poetry occupies an important place in the literary process of the era, combining elements of the Baroque style, religious polemics and national consciousness.The work 'Trenos, or the Lament of the Eastern Church' is prose in form, but contains numerous poetic fragments.This text is characterised by rhetorical power and expressiveness of the poetic image.A special place in Meletii Smotrytskyi's works is occupied by heraldic epigrams, which are analysed in the article in terms of the language of writing, themes, symbolism, etc.It is noted that through his works Smotrytsky not only supported the struggle of the Orthodox community for its rights, but also contributed to the establishment of Ukrainian cultural identity in the face of political pressure.