The Deluge · Chapter
XXVII explained
Kmita confronts Prince Boguslav Radzivill, accusing him and the Radzivills of treason against the Commonwealth.
What happens
Kmita confronts Prince Boguslav Radzivill, accusing him and the Radzivills of treason against the Commonwealth. He reveals how he was deceived by Prince Yanush Radzivill into serving their cause, but after discovering their plans to poison soldiers and conspire with enemies, he captured Boguslav. Kmita declares he will break his oath rather than continue serving treason, and he possesses incriminating letters. Boguslav attempts to negotiate his release, but Kmita refuses.
Themes in this chapter
- Honor and Betrayal
Kmita confronts Boguslav about the Radzivills' betrayal of the Commonwealth, and Kmita himself struggles with his broken oath.
- Political Intrigue
The chapter reveals the Radzivills' secret alliances and plans to partition Poland, as well as Kmita's capture of Boguslav.
- Redemption and Transformation
Kmita renounces his service to the Radzivills and seeks to redeem himself by exposing their treason.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Confronts Boguslav, reveals his disillusionment with the Radzivills, and captures the prince.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Captured by Kmita, attempts to negotiate his release and shows calm defiance.
- Yanush Radzivill
Referenced as the prince voevoda who deceived Kmita and conspired with enemies.
- Soroka
Assists Kmita by searching Boguslav and finding the incriminating letter.
- Bogdan Hmelnitski
Mentioned as one of the conspirators the Radzivills are treating with.
- Arwid Wittemberg
Mentioned as a recipient of letters from the Radzivills.
- Radzeyovski
Mentioned as a recipient of letters from the Radzivills.
- Yan Kazimir
Referenced as the king to whom Kmita intends to deliver the captured prince and letters.
Key passages
“How is it that the earth has not swallowed you? So you are treating with Hmelnitski, with the Swedes, with the elector, with Rakotsy, and with the devil himself to the destruction of this Commonwealth?”
Kmita accuses Boguslav of conspiring with multiple enemies to destroy Poland.
Kmita's outrage at the Radzivills' treason.
“I would rather lose my soul, I would rather burn eternally, than to sin longer with knowledge and willingly—than to serve longer, knowing that I serve sin and treason.”
Kmita declares he will break his oath rather than continue serving the traitorous Radzivills.
Kmita's moral crisis and decision to abandon the Radzivill cause.
“You have me as a hostage.”
Boguslav acknowledges that Kmita is using him as a captive.
Boguslav's realization of his situation.
