The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25751

Title

The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a curated selection of prose masterpieces from Continental Europe, featuring essays by Alexis de Tocqueville on democracy, dramatic critiques by August Wilhelm von Schlegel on Shakespeare, and philosophical reflections by Alexander von Humboldt. It also includes excerpts from Tolstoy's controversial assessment of Shakespeare and dramatic scenes from Ibsen's 'The Pretenders,' offering a diverse glimpse into 19th-century literary thought and narrative art.

Summary up to 500 words

This volume presents a sweeping panorama of Continental European literature, featuring profound political philosophy, historical analysis, and aesthetic criticism from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Alexis de Tocqueville warns against the 'tyranny of the majority,' arguing that unlimited democratic power inevitably leads to despotism, as the majority acts as an unchecked jury with no recourse for the minority. In historical narrative, Alfred de Musset vividly depicts Venice in 1580 and the turbulent history of the Netherlands, illustrating the struggle between liberty and despotism where heroes and traitors alike shape destiny. German contributions include August Wilhelm von Schlegel's analysis of Shakespeare's *Macbeth*, which praises the play's sublime terror while critiquing attempts to 'improve' the text. Schlegel argues that Shakespeare's use of witches and supernatural elements effectively portrays the dread of the unknown, creating a tragic hero whose ambition leads to ruin. Alexander von Humboldt expands on the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, suggesting that man is dependent on terrestrial forces yet possesses the unique capacity to adapt and cultivate the earth. The collection also explores dramatic psychology through Henrik Ibsen's *The Pretenders*, where King Skule and the skald Jatgeir debate the nature of kingship, sorrow, and artistic creation. Their dialogue reveals the psychological turmoil of leadership and the conflict between personal ambition and public duty. Finally, Count Leo Tolstoy offers a harsh critique of Shakespeare, rejecting his status as a great genius. Tolstoy contends that Shakespeare's works fail elementary artistic demands due to arbitrary plot constructions, anachronisms, and unnatural character relations that prevent genuine sympathy. Together, these texts showcase an era of rigorous intellectual inquiry, ranging from the dangers of unchecked democracy to the complexities of artistic representation and the enduring power of nature and human spirit.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Essays