The Testament of Werther in Poetry and Drama

Stuart P. Atkins

Published by Harvard University Press 1949

The Testament of Werther in Poetry and Drama

Stuart P. Atkins

Volume 19 in the series Harvard Studies in Comparative Literature

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674280212

Overview
Contents

About this book

Few great novels have enjoyed such immediate and lasting international fame as Werther, the work with which Goethe's world renown began. Yet from its first appearance down to the present day, hardly anyone has read the story as it was written: readers have almost always seen Werther in the light of the literary fashions of their own day.

Such fashions change and usually have no lasting effect, but this has not been true for Werther. A revolutionary work in the history of the modern novel, it was first taken up as one more sentimental tale, or as a sensationally immoral book. Later on, old legends were incorporated with new ones to such good effect that even today most of us think of a Werther who has been typed by some important literary tradition, or traditions, as much as of the actual hero of Goethe's classic novel.

The influence of these literary traditions on the fame of Werther is Stuart Atkins' theme. His book is rich in illustrative material showing how the creative power of the public mind helps shape critical prejudice or opinion. A wide public will relish his informative and often amusing account of how a great book is read.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
PREFACE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
I. The Cult of Werther Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
II. English Werther Poetry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	10
III. German Werther Poetry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	64
IV. French Werther Poetry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	116
V. Werther in the Drama Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	159
VI. The Legacy of Werther Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	210
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	221
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	315

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Copyright year: 1949
Edition: Reprint 2013
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Front matter: 12
- Main content: 322
Keywords: Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832. Werther -- Bibliography.; Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832. Werther.

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674280212

Hardcover

Published: December 11, 2013
ISBN: 9780674730540