Publisher's Synopsis
Lectures On Dramatic Art And Literature is a collection of lectures delivered by the German philosopher and literary critic, August Wilhelm Schlegel. The book is divided into two parts: the first part deals with the theory of drama and the second part is devoted to the study of Shakespeare's plays. In the first part of the book, Schlegel discusses the nature of drama, its origins, and its various forms. He also examines the role of the playwright, the actor, and the audience in the creation and interpretation of drama. Schlegel's insights into the art of drama are informed by his deep knowledge of classical literature, particularly the works of Aristotle and the ancient Greek tragedians.The second part of the book focuses on Shakespeare's plays, which Schlegel regards as the pinnacle of dramatic art. He analyzes each play in detail, examining its themes, characters, and structure. Schlegel's interpretations of Shakespeare are notable for their depth and insight, and have had a profound influence on subsequent generations of Shakespearean scholars and critics.Overall, Lectures On Dramatic Art And Literature is a seminal work in the field of literary criticism, and remains an essential read for anyone interested in the theory and practice 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.
