“Partly Allegorically, Partly Evidently”. Allegory as a Didactic Instrument in Comenius’ Labyrinth

Abstract

“Partly Allegorically, Partly Evidently”. Allegory as a Didactic Instrument in Comenius’ Labyrinth. – The intention of this study is to explore the potential of the allegorical literary method from the didactic perspective. Since J. A. Comenius managed to produce in his famous work Labyrinth of the world and paradise of the heart such an effective pedagogical work, the question is, in what lays its “magic”, resp. its didactic effectiveness? How did Comenius work with allegory as didactic tool? Can anything of his “method” be transferred to the contemporary education? May allegory be used in today’s pedagogical practice? The goal of this article is to outline answers to these questions.