Abstract
The theme of 'the full moon' or the 'bright, pale moon' belongs among the traditional attributes of 19th century literature. Frequently, it has the function of an auxiliary set piece, used to enhance the dramatic impact of some mysterious scenery, on the other hand, it can gain a variety of roles (such as, a silent witness, a guide, or an observer) and acquire the power of an active communication partner of the characters.
Therefore, the contribution lays its focus on the variety of circumstances and of the characters' motivation - regarding characters who are lonesome and isolated, and enter into a direct contact with the moon. The paper outlines all the levels and types of relations within the adopted communication framework.
It illustrates those relations along the scale of affinity - fascination - somnambulism. As a good starting point it suggests the texts of Karel Sabina (the 1863 novel In the Desert) and Jan Neruda (the 1864 arabesque The Tales of the Moon).
The article specifies links between the phenomena of somnambulism in Sabina on the one hand and contemporary knowledge in the field of medical science, psychology, esotherism and mesmerism on the other. Regarding Neruda's story, the paper points out the so- far- overlooked intertextual inspiration by the writings of H.
Ch. Andersen (Billedbog uden Billeder, 1840).