The Inspiration Motif in the Works of Franz Grillparzer: With Special Consideration of 'Libussa'

ISBN-13: 9789401519960 / Angielski / Miękka / 1955 / 223 str.

Gisela Stein

Opis

Franz Grillparzer was not a man of extravagance either in phrase or conduct. His life as an individual and artist is marked by a reticence, an aversion to the unveiling of the inner SOul,1 that is perhaps best matched by the concise style and expression of his works. This art of effective restraint is particularly visible in the dramas where often a single word or indeed an utter silence carries the greatest emotional impact. There is an absolute lack of sound and fury signifying nothing; even in the frenzy of inspiration 2 Grillparzer carefully chooses words that best convey his thoughts and for purely emotional release he turns to another medium which he sharply distinguished from poetry: to music. If this poet then who knows no empty phrases applies terms like 'betrothed of the gods',3 'mother of all greatness',4 'mighty 5 lever of the universe', 'messenger of divine happiness'6 to one and the same concept at different times, we may assume that he here expresses something deeply anchored in his being. And indeed, the motif of concentration ('Sammlung') and inspiration ('Begeisterung') is one that we meet again and again in the poetry, the diaries and the dramas. This emotional state is at all times highly revered and greatly sought by the poet - it is, in fact, made a condition of creative productivity and, as the years pass, finally develops into a condition of life itself in the prophecy of 'Libussa'.

Spis treści

I. Citizen of Weimar.- Grillparzer and the humanistic tradition — the heritage of enlightened Josephinism — Kant’s influence in Austria — the classical tradition and the poet’s views on philosophy, politics and art..- II. Grillparzer and the Nineteenth Century.- The impact of the romantic school — individualism and the emphasis of the emotions — the classical experience and the rise of materialism — the problem of free will — Grillparzer’s agreement and conflict with his day..- III. The Contact with Schopenhauer.- The scientific and the contemplative approach to the world — similarity in aesthetic principles — the imitation of nature and the function of art — rejection of history and the idea of progress — the problem of justice and the state..- IV. Inspiration —’ sammlung’ and ‘Begeisterung’.- Critical estimates of the inspiration theme — analysis of the inspiration motif in the works of Grillparzer with the exception of ‘Libussa’..- The Diaries.- The Prose Writings.- Short Stones, Prose Satires. Essays on Contemporary History and Politics.- Essays on Literature, Music and the Theatre.- Spanish Studies.- Autobiographical Writing.- The Poems.- ‘Grundstock’.- ‘Nachlese’.- ’sprüche und Epigramme’.- Letters and Documents.- Youthful Attempts. Dramatic Plans and Fragments.- The Dramas.- Grillparzer’s Conversations.- The Rationalistic and Intuitive Components of Inspiration.- Grillparzer’s affinity with the English romanticists: Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley, Keats, De Quincey — the inspiration motif and the poet’s relationship to the eighteenth and the nineteenth century..- V. ‘Libussa’ — the Last Phase of Inspiration.- The vital fifth act — short history of the criticism of the drama — the purported influence of Hegel and Kant — the collectivist view — political ideas in the play — ‘Libussa’ interpreted in the light of Grillpar-zer’s inspiration concept — inspiration and Grillpar-zer’s legacy on human destiny..- >Conclusion.

O autorze

Gisela Stein war Mitglied im Bundeskinderausschuss der Deutschen Turnerjugend. Als Lehrwartin und Referentin für Aus- und Fortbildungen in den Bereichen Eltern-Kind-Turnen und Kleinkinderturnen Einsatz für ein qualifiziertes Bewegungsangebot