Schreiben des Herrn von Voltaire an die Akademie Françoise über den englischen Schauspieldichter Shakespear / Aus dem Französischen übersetz, mit Anmerkungen und einer Vorrede von der Nothwendigkeit einer Theater-Censur in Hamburg begleitet von Albrecht Wittenberg.
1777
Items
Details
Title
Schreiben des Herrn von Voltaire an die Akademie Françoise über den englischen Schauspieldichter Shakespear / Aus dem Französischen übersetz, mit Anmerkungen und einer Vorrede von der Nothwendigkeit einer Theater-Censur in Hamburg begleitet von Albrecht Wittenberg.
Created/published
Hamburg : Gedruckt bey A. Harmsen, 1777.
Description
xxxii, 56 pages ; 17 cm
Associated name
Voltaire, 1694-1778, author.
Note
From dealer's description: "XXXii, 56 pages. 8vo. Contemporary marbles boards, lower spine slightly damaged. First German edition of the speech by Voltaire on Shakespeare which was read by d'Alembert before the French Academy in 1776. Voltaire claims being the first to inform the French theatre about the importance of the British author, but criticises his use of vulgar tongue in his plays. The German editor repeats these arguments and reinforced them.By numerous examples from Hamlet, Romeo and other plays Wittenberg shows the supposed corruption of their character and language which are unacceptable to present them on the theatre , in particular on a Hamburg stage before the "fair sex". Wittenberg uses his long preface ( page III - XXXII ) and footnotes under the text of Voltaire to polemicize against the young German " Shakespearian " poets like Goethe ( " der jetztige Abgott der deutschen Genies" ) Lenz and Klinger and their plays like Götz von Berlichingen and Stella. The importance of this Hamburg booklet shows Shakespeare as precursor and genius of the German "Sturm und Drang " and the romantic movement in European literature. The book is of utmost rarity. The German Union Catalogue (KVK) knows only three copies. There is no copy in the catalogue of the Goethe Museum at Düsseldorf."
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Place of creation/publication
Germany.
Item Details
Call number
270077
Folger-specific note
From dealer's description: "XXXii, 56 pages. 8vo. Contemporary marbles boards, lower spine slightly damaged. First German edition of the speech by Voltaire on Shakespeare which was read by d'Alembert before the French Academy in 1776. Voltaire claims being the first to inform the French theatre about the importance of the British author, but criticises his use of vulgar tongue in his plays. The German editor repeats these arguments and reinforced them.By numerous examples from Hamlet, Romeo and other plays Wittenberg shows the supposed corruption of their character and language which are unacceptable to present them on the theatre , in particular on a Hamburg stage before the "fair sex". Wittenberg uses his long preface ( page III - XXXII ) and footnotes under the text of Voltaire to polemicize against the young German " Shakespearian " poets like Goethe ( " der jetztige Abgott der deutschen Genies" ) Lenz and Klinger and their plays like Götz von Berlichingen and Stella. The importance of this Hamburg booklet shows Shakespeare as precursor and genius of the German "Sturm und Drang " and the romantic movement in European literature. The book is of utmost rarity. The German Union Catalogue (KVK) knows only three copies. There is no copy in the catalogue of the Goethe Museum at Düsseldorf." Ordered from Konrad Meuschel Antiquariat, D9002, 2016-07-01, from email quote. Purchase made possible by The Elizabeth T. Kennan Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
Folger accession
270077