German Romantic Literary Theory

Professor Behler provides a view of the literary work and the artistic process developed in the German Romantic period.

Ernst Behler (Author), H. B. Nisbet (General editor), Martin Swales (General editor)

9780521021913, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 November 2005

372 pages, 1 table
21.7 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.489 kg

"Romantic scholars as well as any one interested in the impact of the Romantic movement will benefit from this important study." Bettina Brandt, German Studies Review

The emergence of a new theory of literature in the German Romantic period constituted a decisive turning point in the history of criticism. Prepared by new trends in critical thought during the latter half of the eighteenth century, a view of the literary work and the artistic process developed which diverged sharply from the dominant classicist understanding of aesthetics and poetics. It recognised the infinite changeability of genres, their constant mingling, and the frequent emergence of new literary forms, and asserted the rights of genius and creative imagination. It was also characterised by its intimate connection with the prevailing philosophy of its time, transcendental idealism. Professor Behler provides a new account of this crucial movement, illustrating each theoretical topic with close reference to a characteristic work by a major writer of the period.

Preface
List of abbreviations
Chronology of early Romanticism
Introduction
1. Formation and main representatives of early Romanticism in Germany
2. Poetry in the early Romantic theory of the Schlegel brothers
3. The theory of Romantic poetry
4. Novalis and the mystical dimension of early Romantic theory
5. Wackenroder's and Tieck's conceptions of painting and music
6. Theory of language, hermeneutics, and encyclopaedistics
7. Conclusion: early German Romanticism and literary modernity
Notes
Bibliography
Index of works cited
Index of subjects and names.

Subject Areas: Literary theory [DSA]