Description
Book SynopsisThe Metaphysical Vision: Arthur Schopenhauer's Philosophy of Art and Life and Samuel Beckett's Own Way to Make Use of It expands upon the ideas and theories set forth in the author's
Die eigentlich metaphysische Tätigkeit: Über Schopenhauers Ästhetik und ihre Anwendung durch Samuel Beckett, published (in German) in 1982 and hailed by Catharina Wulf in her book
The Imperative of Narration (1997) as an excellent study and the most thorough enquiry into Beckett and Schopenhauer.
In the last years of the twentieth century, new documents regarding Samuel Beckett's reading and thinking, especially important notebooks and letters, have become accessible to scholars. These documents show much more clearly than could ever be demonstrated previously that Beckett had a strong, lifelong interest in Schopenhauer's philosophy. There is no other philosopher to whom Beckett refers more often in his personal comments throughout the years of his writing up to his seventies; no
Trade Review«(...) Pothast's fascinating and lucid analysis makes you want to read more about Beckett's relation to Schopenhauer. [Future Beckettians] will always find a sound foundation in Pothast's study, which - moreover - is a pleasure to read.» (Dirk Van Hulle, Journal of Beckett Studies)
