From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
See also: Jack (hero)

Honza (John) is a Czech fairy tale character. Sometimes called Hloupý Honza (Dull John), Líný Honza (Lazy John) or Chudý Honza (Poor John).

But Honza may also be grammatically correctly translated as Jack. In Czech language, Honza is traditionally used as the diminutive form of the name Jan (Jan → Honza → Honzík → Honzíček).

In original uses, Líný Honza is the lazy and inept son of village farmers. His parents send him "to the world" to take care of himself and get experience. On his way, he meets seemingly impossible obstacles (often involving dragon) but outsmarts them all and returns home with fame, riches and a princess as his wife.


Such figures became national personification - often suggested as mirroring the national character of Czechs (the nation had unexpectedly risen up, from low classes, struggling to establish itself as an independent entity). Comparison of "dull" Honza with lot of "common sense" (as opposed to knowledge obtained by studying) with aristocracy portraited by princes which are unable to overcome obstacles Honza did overcome might also refer to fact that for big part of history (most of) Czech aristocracy was separated from people and often not really Czech (but German and Austrian).




  • How Simple Honza Went Out into the World [2]


  1. ^ [1] third book anotation from top