The Cambridge companion to goethe

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The Cambridge Companion to Goethe provides a challenging yet accessible survey of this versatile figure, not only one of the world's greatest writers but also a theatre director and art critic, a natural scientist and state administrator. The volume places Goethe in the context of the Germany and Europe of his lifetime. His literary work is covered in individual chapters on poetry, drama (with a separate chapter on Faust), prose fiction and autobiography. Other chapters deal with his work in the Weimar Theatre, his friendship with Schiller, his scientific studies and writings, his engagement with the visual arts, with religion and philosophy, the controversies surrounding his political standpoint and the impact of feminist criticism. A wide-ranging survey of reception inside and outside Germany and an extensive guide to further reading round off this volume, which will appeal to students and specialists alike.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• List of contributors
• Acknowledgements
• List of abbreviations
• Chronology
• Introduction
• 1 The world Goethe lived in: Germany and Europe, 1750-1830
• 2 Goethe the writer and literary history
• 3 Goethe the poet
• 4 Goethe the dramatist
• 5 Faust Jane
• 6 Weimar Classicism: Goethe's alliance with Schiller
• 7 Goethe and the Weimar theatre
• 8 Goethe's prose fiction
• 9 Autobiographical writings Dennis
• 10 In defence of experience: Goethe's natural investigations and scientific culture
• 11 Goethe and gender Barbara Becker-Cantarino
• 12 Goethe and the visual arts Beate Allert
• 13 Goethe and the political world
• 14 Religion and philosophy
• 15 Reception in Germany and abroad
• A guide to further reading
• General index
• Index of Goethe's works

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Sharpe's beautifully edited book offers timely essays on the most significant aspects of Goethe's monumental work. Written by recognized and articulate scholars, the 15 essays are loosely chronological, beginning with Thomas Saine's essay on Goethe's world, followed by an essay concerning his place in literary history. Subsequent contributions discuss Goethe's poetry and dramas. The Faust essay by Jane Brown is a superlative effort, offering insights of real depth and originality. T.J. Reed provides discussions of Weimar classicism and Goethe's relationship to Schiller. The collection continues with essays on Weimar theater, Goethe's prose, his autobiographical writings, and his investigation of the natural sciences. Barbara Becker-Cantarino's interesting comments about Goethe and gender are followed by essays about the visual arts, political world, religion, and philosophy. The final essay, by Gerhart Hoffmeister, discusses Goethe's reception in Europe, from the 18th century to the present. This remarkable set of essays avoids repetition and oversimplification while reflecting prudently on the present status of Goethe scholarship. Highly recommended for all academic and public collections. E. Wickersham Rosemont College