Open Access

Rezension zu Radek Malý (2012): Domovem v jazyce. České čtení Paula Celana [Zu Hause in der Sprache. Paul Celan aus tschechischer Sicht]. Olomouc. 188 S. ISBN 978-80-86624-64-8.

The tragedy 'König Ottokars Glück und Ende' by the Austrian poet Franz Grillparzer is often viewed as an exclusively male drama. Nevertheless, it does contain female characters, including the two wives of the Přemyslid King Otakar I – Margaret of Austria and Kunigunda of Galicia. The first of these in particular is a somewhat ambiguous character, whose interpretation raises a number of questions. The aim of this study is to outline the problems associated with interpreting the character of Margaret and to find a character in Czech historical literature who is similar to Grillparzer's Margaret.

The theme of Wagner's opera 'Tannhäuser' is the conflict between the artist and society, between nonconformism and servility to the dictates of a regime, with all its dogmas and taboos. This theme remains real and 'modern' to this day, and it has been acted out several times in German history. 'Truth fanatics' – artists, academics and intellectuals – have repeatedly been ostracized, boycotted or mocked. One such figure was Alfred Döblin, nowadays a half-forgotten novelist who returned to post-war Germany after several years of exile to participate in the country's spiritual regeneration. Döblin's novel 'Hamlet oder Die lange Nacht nimmt ein Ende' – begun during the writer's Hollywood exile – can be viewed as a work of 'Trauerarbeit' – a way of dealing with the Nazi past. This paper examines the questions asked by Döblin and the problems he faced in the nascent Federal Republic of Germany, using his 'Hamlet' as a source of illustrative examples. Wagner's 'Tannhäuser' – a work to which Döblin was strongly drawn – serves as a framework.

Wartburg castle is associated not only with Luther's German translation of the Bible, but also with the legendary singing contest that is said to have taken place there in the early 13th century. Although today it is impossible to tell whether this was a real event or merely a legend, the contest became a popular basis for literary treatments. The "classic" version of the story was presented in the 19th century by Richard Wagner in his opera "Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg", while the most recent version of the story dates from 2012: Robert Löhr's novel "Krieg der Sänger". Because Löhr's version was almost immediately compared with Wagner's, the aim of this study is to analyze the two works and draw conclusions from such a comparison. Which sources did both authors work with, and how? Were they primarily concerned with a historically accurate depiction of events, entertaining the reader or audience, or communicating some deeper thoughts? In what light are the main hero and his competitors presented? What do Wagner and Löhr have in common, and how do they differ?

King Ottokar II and Záviš z Falkenštejna are often depicted in literary fiction as rivals – both in politics and in love. A similar representation can be found in the work of Franz Grillparzer, whose Zawisch incorporates both demonic and comic elements. He can be interpreted in various ways: as a sophisticated plotter of intrigues, a malicious poisoner, an arrogant figure who betrays his king and his country due to his wounded pride, or a seducer who eventually becomes subservient to an Amazon whom he had originally envisaged as his own puppet. Directors, viewers and readers usually do not see him as a great statesman. However, Jaroslav Hilbert depicted him in an entirely different manner. His Falkenštejn is a violent conspirator and usurper - but also a patriot, a statesman and a modern thinker. In Grillparzers work, the character of Zawisch is more reminiscent of his traditional rival Ottakar than of Hilbert's depiction. This study presents a comparison of both characters.