Paradise lost and found: a comparative study of Kleist's Prinz Friedrich von Homburg and Keller's Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe

Bell, Cathleen Lieda (1973) Paradise lost and found: a comparative study of Kleist's Prinz Friedrich von Homburg and Keller's Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (5MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

There is a thematic and structural resemblance between Kleist's Prinz Friedrich von Homburg and Keller's Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe which is too marked to be ignored. This study was undertaken to establish whether this is merely fortuitous or whether it expresses a significant identity of outlook on the part of their authors. -- The Introduction deals with some of the problems inherent in such an investigation; first, that there is an absence of evidence outside their writings to support an assumption that there is a direct link between Kleist and Keller, who are generally held to represent quite different traditions with the added qualification that even within his literary period Kleist is recognized to be an "Aussenseiter" and to occupy a unique position. Section I undertakes a survey of the development of tragedy from Schiller to Hauptmann, in order to assess the contribution of Kleist and Keller within a wider perspective. In this broader view, it emerges that the "Weltanschauung" of Kleist and Keller shows, in one major respect, a shift of emphasis away from the classical traditions. Section II considers in broad terms the lives and personalities of Kleist and Keller, in order to determine the factors which went to make up their permanent spiritual and social attitudes. Section III is concerned with a close study of Prinz Friedrich von Homburg and Romeo and Julia auf dem Dorfe, in particular those component parts which resemble each other most strongly. In this way the detail in Section III is seen not in isolation but as corresponding to the wider context of Kleist's and Keller's thought as outlined in Sections I and II.

Actions (login required)

View Item