Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
Full Name and Common Aliases
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel, often referred to simply as Friedrich Schlegel, was a pivotal figure in the early 19th-century intellectual landscape. Known for his profound influence on Romanticism, Schlegel's work traversed the realms of literature, philosophy, and criticism, earning him a lasting place in the annals of cultural history.
Birth and Death Dates
Friedrich Schlegel was born on March 10, 1772, in Hanover, Germany, and he passed away on January 12, 1829, in Dresden, Germany. His life spanned a period of significant cultural and political change in Europe, which deeply influenced his work and thought.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Schlegel was a German philosopher, poet, and literary critic. His professional endeavors were diverse, encompassing roles as a writer, translator, and editor. He was a central figure in the Jena Romantic circle, a group that played a crucial role in shaping the Romantic movement in Germany and beyond.
Early Life and Background
Friedrich Schlegel was born into a family with a rich intellectual heritage. His father, Johann Adolf Schlegel, was a Lutheran pastor and a poet, which provided Friedrich with an environment steeped in literary and philosophical discourse from an early age. Schlegel initially pursued studies in law at the University of Göttingen and later at the University of Leipzig. However, his passion for literature and philosophy soon led him to abandon law in favor of a career in writing and criticism.
Major Accomplishments
Schlegel's major accomplishments are deeply intertwined with the development of Romanticism. He was instrumental in articulating the principles of this movement, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. Schlegel's work laid the groundwork for modern literary criticism, particularly through his advocacy for the blending of genres and the exploration of the subjective experience.
One of his significant contributions was the co-founding of the journal Athenaeum with his brother, August Wilhelm Schlegel. This publication became a platform for Romantic ideas and a hub for intellectual exchange among leading thinkers of the time.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Schlegel's notable works is his collection of essays titled "Lucinde", published in 1799. This novel, with its exploration of romantic and sexual themes, was both controversial and groundbreaking, challenging the conventional norms of its time. Another significant work is his "Lectures on the History of Literature", which offered a comprehensive view of literary history and underscored the importance of understanding literature as a dynamic and evolving entity.
Schlegel's translation work also deserves mention, particularly his translations of Shakespeare and other classical texts into German, which made these works more accessible to a German-speaking audience and influenced the development of German literature.
Impact and Legacy
Friedrich Schlegel's impact on literature and philosophy is profound. He is often credited with helping to define the Romantic movement, not only in Germany but across Europe. His ideas about the unity of art and life, the importance of irony, and the role of the artist as a creator of new worlds have resonated through the centuries.
Schlegel's legacy is also evident in the way he bridged the gap between classical and modern thought, advocating for a synthesis of ideas that continues to influence contemporary literary and philosophical discourse. His work laid the foundation for later developments in existentialism and postmodernism, making him a pivotal figure in the history of ideas.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Friedrich Schlegel is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering ideas and his role in shaping the Romantic movement. His aphorisms and critical insights continue to inspire scholars, writers, and thinkers. Schlegel's emphasis on the subjective experience and the transformative power of art resonates with those who seek to understand the complexities of human emotion and creativity.
His ability to articulate the ineffable aspects of human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible ensures that his words remain relevant. Schlegel's legacy as a thinker who challenged the status quo and expanded the boundaries of literary and philosophical inquiry makes him a timeless figure whose contributions continue to be celebrated and explored.
Quotes by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel's insights on:
Whoever could properly characterize Goethe’s Meister would have actually expressed what is the timely trend in literature. He would be able, as far as literary criticism is concerned, to rest.
There is no self-knowledge but an historical one. No one knows what he himself is who does not know his fellow men, especially the most prominent one of the community, the master’s master, the genius of the age.
Nothing truly convincing – which would possess thoroughness, vigor, and skill – has been written against the ancients as yet; especially not against their poetry.
An artist is he for whom the goal and center of life is to form his mind.
In order to be able to write well upon a subject, one must have ceased to be interested in it; the thought which is to be soberlyexpressed must already be entirely past and no longer be one’s actual concern.
A classical work doesn’t ever have to be understood entirely. But those who are educated and who are still educating themselves must desire to learn more and more from it.
The need to raise itself above humanity is humanity’s main characteristic.
It is individuality which is the original and eternal within man; personality doesn’t matter so much. To pursue the education anddevelopment of this individuality as one’s highest vocation would be a divine egoism.
There is no self-knowledge except historical self-knowledge. No one knows what he is if he doesn’t know what his contemporaries are.