Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape[2][3][5].
Written in 1782-1784, 'Kabale und Liebe' is a five-act play that critiques the political and social conditions of the time. The story revolves around the doomed love between Ferdinand von Walter, a nobleman's son, and Luise Miller, the daughter of a middle-class musician. The play highlights the conflicts between different social classes and the corrupting influence of court politics, which ultimately lead to the destruction of the lovers. Schiller's work is characterized by its clear structure, intense drama, and critique of the moral decay of the aristocracy, contrasting it with the virtues of the bourgeoisie.
Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, or The Sorrows of Young Werther, is an epistolary novel written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The novel consists of letters from Werther to his friend Wilhelm, describing his intense and unrequited love for Charlotte (Lotte), who is engaged to another man, Albert. The novel delves into Werther's emotional turmoil, his meditations on love, beauty, nature, philosophy, art, and religion, and ultimately his tragic descent into despair and death. It was a pivotal work of the Sturm und Drang period in German literature and significantly influenced the later Romantic movement.
Published in 1827, 'Buch der Lieder' is a seminal work of German Romanticism. It comprises a collection of poems, many of which were previously published, and explores themes such as unrequited love, nature, and societal critique. The book is divided into several cycles, including 'Junge Leiden', 'Lyrisches Intermezzo', 'Die Heimkehr', 'Aus der Harzreise', and 'Die Nordsee'. Heine's poetry in this collection is characterized by vivid imagery, emotive language, and a blend of romance and melancholy. The poems also reflect his personal experiences and observations of society and politics during the early 19th century[1][2][5].
Zuerst können sie einander nicht leiden, dann merken sie, dass sie zusammengehören. Oder: sie lieben sich, doch widrige Umstände halten sie voneinander fern. Wenn Filme und Bücher von Liebe handeln, folgen sie meist einem dieser beiden Erzählmuster. «NZZ Megahertz»-Host Jenny Rieger ist sich sicher, dass sie früher zu viele romantische Komödien geschaut hat – und dadurch zum Teil unrealistische Erwartungen an ihre Beziehungen aufgebaut hat. In der aktuellen Podcastfolge diskutiert sie mit Literaturwissenschafter Nicolas Detering, wie die Geschichten, die wir hören, sehen und lesen unser Liebesleben beeinflussen und wie die klassischen Narrative vom «meet cute» bis zum «happily ever after» entstanden sind.
Host: Jenny Rieger
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Mehr über Nicolas Detering
Liebesfilme folgen meist einer ähnlichen Logik – wie häufig sich Motive wiederholen, zeigt diese Studie von 2022.
Romantische Ideale wie die Existenz von «Liebe auf den ersten Blick» und «Soulmates» färben mitunter die Erwartungen echter Menschen an ihre Beziehungen, lautet das Fazit dieser Studie.
Nicolas Deterings Tipp für gute Bücher über Liebe und Freundschaft: die Romane von Elena Ferrante.
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