Grillparzer: A Critical Introduction

This 1972 text provides the student of German literature and European drama with a general introduction to Grillparzer's work.

W. E. Yates (Author)

9780521168380, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 29 March 2012

290 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.37 kg

This 1972 text provides the student of German literature and European drama with a general introduction to Grillparzer's work. Dr Yates begins with a substantial biographical introduction which is one of the most detailed of its kind in any language. He then turns to the writings and introduces them linked by theme, identifying as Grillparzer's finest achievements the series of four dramas completed between 1823 and 1832. He also indicates the virtues characteristic of Grillparzer's work in general: the subtlety of his characterisation, his concern with moral values, the consistent ideals underlying his view of history and the human condition, and the essential theatricality of his drama. Dr Yates quotes freely; quotations from Grillparzer's prose are given in translation, those from the plays and poems are in the original with an English translation at the foot of the page. The aim throughout is to show the reader what is characteristic in the plays.

Abbreviations
Preface
Part I. Grillparzer's Life: 1. Youth (1791–1816)
2. First success (1816–25)
3. Years of crisis (1825–8)
4. Last years in the theatre (1829–38)
5. Withdrawal (1838–56)
6. Old age (1857–72)
Part II. The Artist: 1. Grillparzer's conception of drama
2. Die Ahnfrau
3. Sappho
4. Melusina
5. Der arme Spielmann
Part III. Ambition: 1. Das Goldene Vlies
2. König Ottokars Glück und Ende
3. Der Traum ein Leben
Part IV. Duty and Love: 1. Ein treuer Diener seines Herrn
2. Tristia ex Ponto
3. Love
4. Des Meeres und der Liebe Wellen
5. Die Jüdin von Toledo
6. Esther
Part V. Comedy and the Theatre: 1. 'Theatrical' Novellen
2. Writing comedy
3. Weh dem, der lügt!
4. The première
Part VI. Politics and Culture: 1. Attitudes and standards
2. Ein Bruderzwist in Habsburg
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]