Pregled nemacke knjizevnosti od pocetka do vajmarske klasike - Aleksandra Lazic Gavrilovic

Overview of German Literature from its Beginnings to Weimar Classicism

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  • ISBN 978-86-6153-663-2 CMYK

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  • Authors: Aleksandra Lazić-Gavrilović

  • Title: PREGLED NEMAČKE KNJIŽEVNOSTI OD POČETAKA DO VAJMARSKE KLASIKE

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  • Reviewers:

    • Prof. Dr. Adrijana Marcetic

    • Prof. Dr. Petra Zagar-Sostarió

    • Doc. Dr. Jelena Knezevic

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  • Authors: Aleksandra Lazić-Gavrilović

  • Publisher: HYMO Beograd, 2021

Page 6: Table of Contents

  1. Foreword (Predgovor) ................................. 9

  2. Beginnings of Literacy and Early German Literature ............................... 11

  3. Minezang ...................................................... 23

  4. Epic Creation in the 12th and 13th Centuries .......................................... 35

  5. Courtly Knightly Romance ................................... 37

  6. Heroic Epics .................................................... 45

  7. German Literature in the Late Middle Ages ............................ 53

  8. Humanism and Renaissance ................................. 67

  9. Baroque .......................................................... 81

  10. Enlightenment ................................................. 97

  11. Sturm und Drang .............................................. 121

  12. Index of Names ................................................... 133

  13. Literature ......................................................... 137

Page 10: Foreword (Predgovor)

  • The book is primarily dedicated to students of German studies, but also to anyone interested in German literature.

  • The volume is limited by the curriculum and aligned with the content for the subject "Overview of German Literature from its Beginnings to the Second World War I," taught in the first year of undergraduate studies.

  • Following the historical development of German literature, the reader will become acquainted with the socio-historical context of various literary epochs and movements, as well as their main characteristics and significant representatives.

  • Originating in the state of Charlemagne, German literature initially followed the spread of Christianity but gradually turned towards secular themes due to the development of knightly culture.

  • The disassociation from the church continued with the rise of bourgeois society, leading to a new thematic and genre variety in late medieval literature, characterized by coarse humor and satire that catered to the tastes of readers.

  • Influenced by Italian humanists and poets of the Renaissance, the 15th century witnessed a return to elegance in literary works.

  • The Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 marked a turning point in German history and culture, leading to a literary production during the Thirty Years' War that exhibited striking opposing themes and motives.

  • With the onset of Enlightenment ideas in the early 18th century, major German writers emerged, significantly including Goethe and Schiller, who became prominent figures despite their early affiliations with Enlightenment ideals.

Page 12: Beginnings of Literacy and Early German Literature

  • The earliest written documents of Germans date back to the Carolingian era (8th century).

  • The existence of oral folk poetry among these barbarian tribes is evidenced by records from ancient writers and historians.

  • Noteworthy among them is the ethnographic study by Cornelius Tacitus titled "On the Origin and Situation of the Germans."

  • Tacitus, who may never have visited German territories, wrote using older sources and accounts from Roman soldiers and merchants.

  • In an idealized depiction of these barbarian tribes and their customs, Tacitus referred to a long tradition of Germanic folk poetry.

  • Germans celebrated deities, and as a warrior people, they engaged in specific songs sung before battles, known as barditus.

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    • The Goths, an East Germanic tribe descending from Scandinavia, distinguished themselves from numerous tribes through their adoption of Christianity.

  • Wulfila played a pivotal role in their Christianization, creating Gothic script and translating the Bible from Greek to Gothic, preserved in the Silver Codex.

  • The Franks were a prominent group of Germanic tribes that established a powerful state, reaching its peak under Charlemagne.

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  • The earliest monuments of German literature originated in the 8th century within monastic schools, the most significant centers of literacy at that time.

  • Early German literary works include glossaries like Abrogans and vocabulary books, pivotal for vernacular literacy.

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  • Monastic writings also exhibit a commitment to the preservation of German heritage through their recorded literature.

  • The Song of Hildebrand, attributed to the monastery in Fulda, is among the first preserved examples of German heroic epics.

Page 24: Minezang

  • The 12th century's literature increasingly focused on secular themes, evolving from ecclesiastic oversight.

  • The court and the courts of minor rulers became cultural centers under the influence of the knightly culture, especially noted in the emergence of the minezang (minnesang).

Page 36: Epic Creation in the 12th and 13th Centuries

  • The 12th and 13th centuries saw the evolution of epic production in German literature, driven by the ethical ideals of the courtly society.

  • The emergence of the courtly knightly romance demonstrated the integration of various literary practices.

  • Legendary elements from various cultural spheres shaped German epic tales, illustrating the interaction of traditions and linguistic influences affecting audiences.

Page 38: Courtly Knightly Romance

  • The peak of the courtly knightly romance genre occurred in southern Germany, with significant contributions from poets like Hartman von Aue and Gottfried von Strassburg.

  • Notable works focus on themes of idealized love, creating narratives that juxtaposed chivalric values against personal desires.

Page 46: Heroic Epics

  • The renowned heroic epic, "The Song of the Nibelungen," dating back to around 1200, emerged as a national epic of German literature.

  • This narrative blends historical themes with mythic storytelling, highlighting characters like Sigfrid and Krimhild.

Page 62: Baroque

  • Baroque literature depicted the disarray corresponding to the Thirty Years' War; marked by a shift to dramatic storytelling and complex characterizations.

  • Major literary figures such as Andreas Gryphius and Christian Hofmann von Hofmanswaldau expressed the tumultuous socio-political climate in their works, emphasizing human fragility and divine belief.

Page 68: Humanism and Renaissance

  • Humanism emerged in Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries as a reaction against ecclesiastical dominance, promoting an educated, multifaceted individual.

  • The invention of the printing press significantly favored the spread of humanistic ideals and literature.

Page 98: Enlightenment

  • The Enlightenment saw significant shifts in philosophical thought, emphasizing reason and individualism while critiquing authority.

  • Authors like Gotthold Efraim Lessing emerged, advocating for social justice and the accessibility of education.

Page 122: Sturm und Drang

  • The movement Sturm und Drang emerged as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism, prioritizing emotional expression and individuality.

  • The movement rallied against societal constraints and emphasized a return to natural instincts and emotions.

Page 132: Major Literary Figures

  • Prominent figures include Goethe and Schiller, pivotal in the development of the movement, whose works highlighted the themes of individuality and emotional depth.

  • Their collaborations and friendships significantly influenced the course of German literature, creating the esteemed Weimar Classicism.