With Fire and Sword · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
In the Zaporozhian Sich, Hmelnitski presides over a council of atamans, accusing Tatarchuk and young Barabash of treason for communicating with the Poles.
What happens
In the Zaporozhian Sich, Hmelnitski presides over a council of atamans, accusing Tatarchuk and young Barabash of treason for communicating with the Poles. Despite their pleas of innocence, the enraged Brotherhood drags them out and kills them. Skshetuski, brought before the council as a captured envoy, boldly denounces the Cossacks as traitors and bandits, refusing to beg for his life. The crowd demands his death, but Tugai Bey claims him as his captive and violently drives off the Cossacks, asserting his authority. Hmelnitski then presents letters from Prince Yeremi and others, asking the atamans to judge the prisoners, while the koshevoi ataman supports him.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Betrayal
Hmelnitski accuses Tatarchuk and Barabash of treason, while Skshetuski denounces the Cossacks as traitors to the Commonwealth, highlighting conflicting notions of loyalty.
Violence and Cruelty
The brutal mob killing of Tatarchuk and Barabash, and the threat of similar violence against Skshetuski, underscore the savage atmosphere of the council.
Leadership and Power
Hmelnitski manipulates the council and the mob to consolidate his authority, while Tugai Bey asserts dominance through physical intimidation.
Characters to notice
- Bogdan Hmelnitski
Presides over the council, accuses Tatarchuk and Barabash of treason, and orchestrates the proceedings against Skshetuski.
- Tugai Bey
Claims Skshetuski as his captive and violently defends him against the Cossack mob, asserting his authority.
- Pan Skshetuski
Brought before the council as a prisoner, he delivers a defiant speech condemning the Cossacks and refuses to beg for his life.
- Anton Tatarchuk
Accused of treason by Hmelnitski, he pleads innocence but is dragged out and killed by the Brotherhood.
- Old Barabash
His nephew, young Barabash, is accused of treason and killed; Hmelnitski uses this to avenge himself on the old colonel.
- Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski
His letter to the koshevoi ataman is read aloud, demanding the delivery of Hmelnitski and peace in Christian lands.
- Pan Zatsvilikhovski
His letter to Tatarchuk is read, requesting care for the bearer, which is used as evidence in the trial.
- Pan Grodzitski
His letter to the chief ataman is read during the council proceedings.
Key passages
“If a Pole were the traitor, then I should not be grieved, should not weep; but if a brave fellow is the traitor, my friend the traitor, then my heart is heavy, and I am grieved.”
Hmelnitski expresses that betrayal by a fellow Cossack hurts him more than betrayal by a Pole.
Hmelnitski manipulates the emotions of the council to justify the punishment of Tatarchuk.
“Being a noble, I can be tried only by equals. Here I am standing, not before judges, but before bandits—not before nobility, but before serfdom—not before knighthood, but before barbarism; and I know well I shall not escape my death, with which you will fill the measure of your iniquity.”
Skshetuski refuses to recognize the Cossack council as legitimate judges, calling them bandits and barbarians.
Skshetuski's defiant speech asserts his noble status and condemns the Cossacks as traitors.
“Be off, clowns, infidel dogs, slaves, pig-eaters! ... You have come to take my captive, but this is the way I’ll treat you.”
Tugai Bey violently drives off the Cossack deputies who demand Skshetuski be handed over for execution.
Tugai Bey uses intimidation to protect his captive, asserting his authority over the Cossacks.
