The mega-metaphor DEATH AS A LIVING BEING in 16th-17th century Latin mourning poetry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

This article analyses anthropomorphic characteristics of death, specifically the mega-metaphor DEATH IS A LIVING BEING, manifested in the 16th-17th Century Latin mourning poetry by Vilnius Academy students. Employing the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) method, the study systematically identifies and analyzes the conceptual metaphors within these works. Focusing on the anthropomorphic attributes of death, the research reveals that death was personified as a CAPTURER, GRIM REAPER, ENEMY, ANCIENT MYTHICAL FIGURE in the poetic tradition of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This analysis provides insights into the conceptualization of mortality during the late Renaissance and Baroque periods, unraveling the complex interplay between life, death, and human emotions. Additionally, the article serves as a methodological exemplar, demonstrating the application of MIP in historical literary texts and cataloging valuable resources for scholars and those interested in the mourning poetry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.