Description
Book SynopsisThis is an accessible 1996 study of the plays of Kleist (17771811), an important and much-studied author whose work has been highly influential in contemporary German writing. Seán Allan examines Kleist's critique of the aspirations of both Enlightenment and Romantic metaphysics, and offers resolutions of a number of long-running controversies in Kleist criticism.
Trade Review"...a comprehensive and reliable guide to Kleist's plays and to recent scholarly discussion of them. His command of the texts and Kleist's correspondence and critical writings is complete and his perspective balanced....An important source for all students, from undergraduates with no knowledge of German to graduate students and other scholars." Choice
"The introduction contains a valuable summary of the current state of research. Also included are a useful chronology of Kleist's life and works, as well as an index of works and names that excludes proper names from Kleist's works themselves. The thorough bibliography will be of help to scholars in the area. The general reading public will find the book a well written, readable introduction to the plays of Kleist." Philip Mellen, Germanic Notes and Reviews
"Seán Allan's book will serve as an introduction to Heinrich von Kleist and his plays." Marjorie Gelus, Monatshefte
"...this book offers a very readable and thought-provoking introduction to the versatility of Kleist's dramatic genius and his oppositional stance within the idealist frameworks of his time." Bernd Fischer, Modern Philology
Table of Contents1. Introduction; Part I. The Young Kleist: 2. The quest for 'Glück'; 3. Die Familie Schroffenstein; Part II. Virtue Assailed: 4. Der zerbrochene Krug; 5. Amphitryon; Part III. Fictions of Femininity: 6. Penthesilea; 7. Das Käthchen von Heilbronn; Part IV. Kleist and the National Question: 8. Die Hermannsschlacht; 9. Prinz Friedrich von Homburg; 10. Conclusions; Notes; Bibliography; Index.
