Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature

Lectures On Dramatic Art And Literature is a book written by the German philosopher and critic August Wilhelm Schlegel. The book is a collection of lectures that were delivered by Schlegel between 1808 and 1809 at the University of Vienna. The lectures cover a wide range of topics related to dramatic art and literature, including the history of drama, the nature of tragedy and comedy, the role of the actor in the theatrical production, and the relationship between literature and society.Schlegel begins the book by discussing the origins of drama and its evolution over time. He then goes on to explore the different forms of drama, including tragedy, comedy, and the historical drama. He examines the characteristics of each form and discusses the ways in which they reflect the society in which they were created.In addition to his analysis of drama, Schlegel also discusses the role of the actor in the theatrical production. He argues that the actor must be able to understand and interpret the text in order to bring the characters to life on stage. He also emphasizes the importance of the director in shaping the overall vision of the production.Throughout the book, Schlegel draws on examples from classical and contemporary literature to illustrate his points. He also provides his own critical insights into the works of Shakespeare, Goethe, and other prominent writers of the time.Overall, Lectures On Dramatic Art And Literature is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the nature of drama and its place in society. Schlegel's erudite analysis and critical insights make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history and theory of drama.Of the Old Comedy but one writer has come down to us, and we cannot, therefore, in forming an estimate of his merits, enforce it by a comparison with other masters. Aristophanes had many predecessors, Magnes, Cratinus, Crates, and others; he was indeed one of the latest of this school, for he outlived the Old Comedy. We have no reason, however, to believe that we witness in him its decline, as we do that of Tragedy in the case of the last tragedian; in all probability the Old Comedy was still rising in perfection, and he himself one of its most finished authors. It was very different with the Old Comedy and with Tragedy; the latter died a natural, and the former a violent death.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.