Dazai Osamu is known as one of the best Japanese modern writers. Nevertheless, he is basically unknown in Slovenia and only one of his novels has been translated into Slovenian. His works aside, Dazai is famous for his turbulent, unconventional life in which he attempted suicide many times. This, along with his relationship with Christianity, is also reflected in his often autobiographic writings. His short story "Run, Melos!", written in 1940, is actually a rework of Schiller's ballad The Hostage, which was based on the Ancient Greek legend about Damon and Pitias from 4th century B.C. The legend is about a man sentenced to death who wants to go home before his execution, which is why his friend turns himself in as a hostage as a guarantee for the man's return. Against all expectations, the accused returns in time to die, but the king, moved by this proof of friendship, releases them both. The story was based on a true event, but was changed already by antique writers, who gradually changed the motifs or added new ones for the sake of tension. In the Middle Ages, the story reappeared and developed as a fictional tale, but got many adaptations even after that, too. In 1798, Schiller rewrote it as a ballad. Dazai wrote his own version, which he based on the Japanese translation of the ballad and on his own anecdote which was similar to the story. When creating the inner world of the characters, he passed his own feelings onto them, too. He expanded their characters and also added a never before mentioned dark side to the story - the moment of doubt, which, to the characters, meant the betrayal of their friendship. Biblical elements also appear in the work. The quality of the work is shown in its significance even in current times; it is a part of the Japanese middle school curriculum and got numerous non-literary adaptations, too.
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