The Life of Friedrich Schiller Part 31

#Seine Jugend# (1759-1784.)

Unter allen Schriftstellern ist am Schluss des letzten Jahrhunderts wohl keiner der Aufmerksamkeit wurdiger, als #Friedrich Schiller#.

Ausgezeichnet durch glanzenden Geist, erhabenes Gefuhl und edlen Geschmack liess er den schonsten Abdruck dieser selten vereinigten Eigenschaften in seinen Werken zuruck. Der ausgebreitete Ruhm, welcher ihm dadurch geworden,...

... es sind neue Formen der Wahrheiten, neue Grundsatze der Weisheit, neue Bilder und Scenen der Schonheit, die er dem leeren formlosen unendlichen Raum abgenommen; zum ?t?a e?? ae? oder zum ewigen Eigenthum aller Geschlechter dieses Erdb.a.l.l.s. [s. 301.]

... die unsere Literatur, so reich sie auch schon an sich ist, noch ungleich mehr bereichern wurde.

[_Anhang_, s. 54.]

SUMMARY AND INDEX.

SUMMARY.

PART I.

SCHILLER'S YOUTH.

(1759-1784.)

Introductory remarks: Schiller's high destiny. His Father's career: Parental example and influences. Boyish caprices and aspirations. (p.

3.)-His first schoolmaster: Training for the Church: Poetical glimmerings. The Duke of Wurtemberg, and his Free Seminary: Irksome formality there. Aversion to the study of Law and Medicine.

(9.)-Literary ambition and strivings: Economic obstacles and pedantic hindrances: Silent pa.s.sionate rebellion. Bursts his fetters.

(13.)-_The Robbers_: An emblem of its young author's baffled, madly struggling spirit: Criticism of the Characters in the Play, and of the style of the work. Extraordinary ferment produced by its publication: Exaggerated praises and condemnations: Schiller's own opinion of its moral tendency. (17.)-Discouragement and persecution from the Duke of Wurtemberg. Dalberg's generous sympathy and a.s.sistance. Schiller escapes from Stuttgard, empty in purse and hope: Dalberg supplies his immediate wants: He finds hospitable friends. (28.)-Earnest literary efforts. Publishes two tragedies, _Fiesco_ and _Kabale und Liebe_. His mental growth. Critical account of the Conspiracy of Fiesco: Fiesco's genial ambition: The Characters of the Play nearer to actual humanity.

How all things in the Drama of Life hang inseparably together.

(35.)-_Kabale und Liebe_, a domestic tragedy of high merit: n.o.ble and interesting characters of hero and heroine. (42.)-The stormy confusions of Schiller's youth now subsiding. Appointed poet to the Mannheim Theatre. Nothing to fear from the Duke of Wurtemberg. The Public, his only friend and sovereign. A Man of Letters for the rest of his days. (46.)

PART II.

FROM HIS SETTLEMENT AT MANNHEIM TO HIS SETTLEMENT AT JENA.

(1784-1790.)

Reflections: Difference between knowing and doing: Temptations and perils of a literary life: True Heroism. Schiller's earnest and steadfast devotion to his Ideal Good: Misery of idleness and indecision. (p. 51.)-German esteem for the Theatre. Theatrical, and deeper than theatrical activities: The _Rheinische Thalia_ and _Philosophische Briefe_. The two Eternities: The bog of Infidelity surveyed but not crossed. (56.)-Insufficiency of Mannheim. A pleasant tribute of regard. Letter to Huber: Domestic tastes. Removes to Leipzig. Letter to his friend Schwann: A marriage proposal.

Fluctuations of life. (63.)-Goes to Dresden. _Don Carlos_: Evidences of a matured mind: a.n.a.lysis of the Characters: Scene of the King and Posa. Alfieri and Schiller contrasted. (73.)-Popularity: Crowned with laurels, but without a home. Forsakes the Drama. Lyrical productions: _Freigeisterei der Leidenschaft_. The _Geisterseher_, a Novel. Tires of fiction. Studies and tries History. (95.)-Habits at Dresden.

Visits Weimar and Bauerbach. The Fraulein Lengefeld: Thoughts on Marriage. (102.)-First interview with Goethe: Diversity in their gifts: Their mistaken impression of each other. Become better acquainted: Lasting friendship. (106.)-History of the _Revolt of the Netherlands_. The truest form of History-writing. Appointed Professor at Jena. Friendly intercourse with Goethe. Marriage. (112.)

PART III.

FROM HIS SETTLEMENT AT JENA TO HIS DEATH.

(1790-1805.)

Academical duties. Study of History: Cosmopolitan philosophy, and national instincts. History of the _Thirty-Years War_. (p.

119.)-Sickness, and help in it. Heavy trial for a literary man.

Schiller's unabated zeal. (125.)-Enthusiasm and conflicts excited by Kant's Philosophy. Schiller's growing interest in the subject: Letters on _aesthetic Culture_, &c. Claims of Kant's system to a respectful treatment. (129.)-Fastidiousness and refinement of taste. Literary projects: Epic poems: Returns to the Drama. Outbreak of the French Revolution. (137.)-Edits the _h.o.r.en_: Connexion with Goethe. A pleasant visit to his parents. Mode of life at Jena: Night-studies, and bodily stimulants. (143.)-_Wallenstein_: Brief sketch of its character and compa.s.s: Specimen scenes, Max Piccolomini and his Father; Max and the Princess Thekla; Thekla's frenzied grief: No n.o.bler or more earnest dramatic work. (152.)-Removes to Weimar: Generosity of the Duke. Tragedy of _Maria Stuart_. (178.)-The _Maid of Orleans_: Character of Jeanne d'Arc: Scenes, Joanna and her Suitors; Death of Talbot; Joanna and Lionel. Enthusiastic reception of the play. (181.)-Daily and nightly habits at Weimar. The _Bride of Messina_. _Wilhelm Tell_: Truthfulness of the Characters and Scenery: Scene, the Death of Gossler. (201.)-Schiller's dangerous illness.

Questionings of Futurity. The last sickness: Many things grow clearer: Death. (219.)-General sorrow for his loss. His personal aspect: Modesty and simplicity of manner: Mental gifts. (222.)-Definitions of genius. Poetic sensibilities and wretchedness: In such miseries Schiller had no share. A fine example of the German character: No cant; no cowardly compromising with his own conscience: Childlike simplicity. Literary Heroism. (227.)

SUPPLEMENT OF 1872.

Small Book by Herr Saupe, ent.i.tled _Schiller and his Father's Household_. Really interesting and instructive. Translation, with slight corrections and additions. (p. 241.)

SCHILLER'S FATHER.

Johann Caspar Schiller, born in Wurtemberg, 27th October 1723. At ten years a fatherless Boy poorly educated, he is apprenticed to a barber-surgeon. Becomes 'Army Doctor' to a Bavarian regiment. Settles in Marbach, and marries the daughter of a respectable townsman, afterwards reduced to extreme poverty. The marriage, childless for the first eight years. Six children in all: The Poet Schiller the only Boy. (p. 243.)-Very meagre circ.u.mstances. At breaking-out of the Seven-Years War returns to the Army. At the Ball of Fulda; at the Battle of Leuthen. Cheerfully undertakes anything useful. Earnestly diligent and studious. Greatly improves in general culture, and even saves money. (244.)-Boards his poor Wife with her Father. His first Daughter and his only Son born there. At the close of the War he carries his Wife and Children to his own quarters. A just man; simple, strong, expert; if also somewhat quick and rough. (246.) Solicitude for his Son's education. Appointed Recruiting Officer, with permission to live with his Family at Lorch. The children soon feel themselves at home and happy. Little Fritz receives his first regular school instruction, much to the comfort of his Father. Holiday rambles among the neighbouring hills: Brotherly and Sisterly affection. Touches of boyish fearlessness: Where does the lightning come from? (248.)-The Family run over to Ludwigsburg. Fritz to prepare for the clerical profession. At the Latin School, cannot satisfy his Father's anxious wishes. One of his first poems. (253.)-The Duke of Wurtemberg notices his Father's worth, and appoints him Overseer of all his Forest operations: With residence at his beautiful Forest-Castle, Die Solitude. Fritz remains at the Ludwigsburg Latin School: Continual exhortations and corrections from Father and Teacher. Youthful heresy.

First acquaintance with a Theatre. (255.)-The Duke proposes to take Fritz into his Military Training-School. Consternation of the Schiller Family. Ineffectual expostulations: Go he must. Studies Medicine.

Altogether withdrawn from his Father's care. Rigorous seclusion and constraint. The Duke means well to him. (258.)-Leaves the School, and becomes Regimental-Doctor at Stuttgard. His Father's pride in him.

Extravagance and debt. His personal appearance. (260.)-Publication of the _Robbers_. His Father's mingled feelings of anxiety and admiration. Peremptory command from the Duke to write no more poetry, on pain of Military Imprisonment. Prepares for flight with his friend Streicher. Parting visit to his Family at Solitude: His poor Mother's bitter grief. Escapes to Mannheim. Consternation of his Father.

Happily the Duke takes no hostile step. (263.)-Disappointments and straits at Mannheim. Help from his good friend Streicher. He sells _Fiesco_, and prepares to leave Mannheim. Through the kindness of Frau von Wolzogen he finds refuge in Bauerbach. Affectionate Letter to his Parents. His Father's stern solicitude for his welfare. (268.)-Eight months in Bauerbach, under the name of Doctor Ritter. Unreturned attachment to Charlotte Wolzogen. Returns to Mannheim. Forms a settled engagement with Dalberg, to whom his Father writes his thanks and anxieties. Thrown on a sick-bed: His Father's admonitions. He vainly urges his Son to pet.i.tion the Duke for permission to return to Wurtemberg; the poor Father earnestly wishes to have him near him again. Increasing financial difficulties. More earnest fatherly admonition and advice. Enthusiastic reception of _Kabale und Liebe_.

_Don Carlos_ well in hand. A friend in trouble through mutual debts.

Applies to his Father for unreasonable help. Annoyance at the inevitable refusal. His Father's loving and faithful expostulation.

His Sister's proposed marriage with Reinwald. (273.)-Beginning of his friendly intimacy with the excellent Korner. The Duke of Weimar bestows on him the t.i.tle of Rath. No farther risk for him from Wurtemberg. At Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar. Settles at last as Professor in Jena. Marriage and comfortable home: His Father well satisfied, and joyful of heart. Affectionate Letter to his good Father.

(282.)-Seized with a dangerous affection of the chest. Generous a.s.sistance from Denmark. Joyful visit to his Family, after an absence of eleven years. Writes a conciliatory Letter to the Duke. Birth of a Son. The Duke's considerateness for Schiller's Father. The Duke's death. (286.)-Schiller's delight in his Sisters, Luise and Nanette.

Letter to his Father. Visits Stuttgard. Returns with Wife and Child to Jena. a.s.sists his Father in publishing the results of his long experiences of gardens and trees. Beautiful and venerable old age.

(290.)-Thick-coming troubles for the Schiller Family. Death of the beautiful Nanette in the flower of her years: Dangerous illness of Luise: The Father bedrid with gout. The poor weakly Mother bears the whole burden of the household distress. Sister Christophine, now Reinwald's Wife, hastens to their help. Schiller's anxious sympathy.

His Father's death. Grateful letters to Reinwald and to his poor Mother. (296.)

HIS MOTHER.

Elizabetha Dorothea Kodweis, born at Marbach, 1733. An unpretending, soft and dutiful Wife, with the tenderest Mother-heart. A talent for music and even for poetry. Verses to her Husband. Troubles during the Seven-Years War. Birth of little Fritz. The Father returns from the War. Mutual helpfulness, and affectionate care for their children. She earnestly desires her Son may become a Preacher. His confirmation. Her disappointment that it was not to be. (p. 300.)-Her joy and care for him whenever he visited his Home. Her innocent delight at seeing her Son's name honoured and wondered at. Her anguish and illness at their long parting. Brighter days for them all. She visits her Son at Jena.

He returns the visit with Wife and Child. Her strength in adversity.

Comfort in her excellent Daughter Christophine. Her Husband's death.

Loving and helpful sympathy from her Son. (307.)-Receives a pension from the Duke. Removes with Luise to Leonberg. Marriage of Luise.

Happy in her children's love and in their success in life. Her last illness and death. Letters from Schiller to his Sister Luise and her kind husband. (318.)

HIS SISTERS.

Till their Brother's flight the young girls had known no misfortune.

Diligent household occupations, and peaceful contentment. A love-pa.s.sage in Christophine's young life. Her marriage with Reinwald.

His unsuccessful career: Broken down in health and hope.

Christophine's loving, patient and n.o.ble heart. For twenty-nine years they lived contentedly together. Through life she was helpful to all about her; never hindersome to any. (p. 324.)-Poor Nanette's brief history. Her excitement, when a child, on witnessing the performance of her Brother's _Kabale und Liebe_. Her ardent secret wish, herself to represent his Tragedies on the Stage. All her young glowing hopes stilled in death. (331.)-Luise's betrothal and marriage. An anxious Mother, and in all respects an excellent Wife. Her Brother's last loving Letter to her. His last illness, and peaceful death. (333.)

APPENDIX I.