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    Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors
    Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors
    Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors
    Ebook180 pages2 hours

    Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors

    By Daniel Zimmermann

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    About this ebook

    The e-book treats "Torquato Tasso" by Goethe, "Minna von Barnhelm" by Lessing, "Viola Tricolor" by Theodor Storm, "Der Mann im Salz" by Ganghofer, "Der goldene Topf" and other tales by ETA Hoffmann, "Richilde" and other tales by Musaeus, and various tales by the Grimm brothers, including Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Brother Lustig. This edition adds three additional tales of the Grimm brothers: Little Red Riding Hood, The Musicians in Bremen, and The Robber Bridegroom.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLulu.com
    Release dateOct 26, 2014
    ISBN9781312629011
    Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors

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      Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors - Daniel Zimmermann

      Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors

      Retelling of Tales of Musaeus, Grimm, and Other German Authors

      By Daniel Zimmermann

      Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

      Torquato Tasso

      Torquato Tasso was a sixteenth century Italian author. His major work is an epic entitled Gerusalemme Liberata.

      Princess Leonore, the sister of Duke Alphons of Ferrara, and Leonore Sanvitale were enjoying rural life in Belriguardo. They were wearing rustic garments and spending time in a garden that was decorated with herms of Virgil and Ariosto. Leonore Sanvitale adorned the head of Ariosto with a wreath, while her companion honored the head of Virgil with a similar adornment.

      Leonore Sanvitale and her son had to return home soon, so the two friends were about to say farewell.

      Their conversation eventually focused on Torquato Tasso. Leonore Sanvitale thought highly of him and admired the poems that he was posting on various trees. They noted that the name Leonore occasionally occurred in these poems. They were undoubtedly directed at the sister of the duke. They decided to drop the subject when they saw Duke Alphons approaching.

      The duke was looking for Tasso. He did not like it that the poet was avoiding their company. However, Leonore Sanvitale thought that the duke's criticism of Tasso would soon turn to praise. She thought that Tasso's great work would soon be complete.

      This would make the duke very happy. He had been impatiently awaiting its completion. It irritated him when Tasso delayed its completion by repeatedly making changes in the text.

      Duke Alphons also noted that Tasso was plagued by many imaginary worries and unfounded suspicions. He wished that it were possible for him to heal the great poet.

      The duke told his sister that Antonio, whom he had sent to Rome on a diplomatic mission, was about to return. The duke would then go to Ferrara with Antonio. He told his sister to continue enjoying herself in Belriguardo. He promised to return to Belriguardo soon.

      While they were talking, Tasso entered the scene. He gave Alphons his manuscript. Tasso said that further changes should be made. However, if the duke was satisfied with it, it was complete. Tasso acknowledged that the patronage of the duke had made it possible to write his masterpiece.

      The duke noticed the wreath that his sister had put on the herm of Virgil. He noted that Virgil would want to honor a living poet with the wreath. At a nod from the duke, the princess removed the wreath from the herm. At first, Tasso was too shy to accept the honor; but he finally kneeled and allowed the lady to place the wreath on his head.

      The wreath made Tasso feel uncomfortable. It was like the unbearable heat of the sun. It scorched his brain and made him unable to think. He felt that he did not deserve it. He wished that the gods would set the wreath in the clouds above, so that he might spend his entire life trying to attain it.

      Antonio arrived and discussed the results of his diplomatic mission with the duke. In the sixteenth century, the pope ruled over the Papal States, which included a considerable amount of land in central Italy. The pope and Alphons both claimed a tract of land, and Antonio had gone to Rome to settle the dispute. His diplomatic mission was successful. The pope agreed that Alphons could have the disputed tract of land. Antonio attributed his success to the pope's desire to have peaceful relations with his neighbors.

      Alphons then told Antonio about Tasso's epic, by which he had earned a laurel wreath. Antonio noticed that the herm of Ariosto was also decked with a wreath and enthusiastically praised the work of Ariosto. The princess was confident that since Antonio recognized the merit of Ariosto's work, he would also appreciate the work of Tasso.

      At the beginning of the second act, Tasso and the princess were alone. The following paragraphs give some of the highlights of their discussion.

      Tasso seemed to have an inferiority complex. While Antonio was singing the praises of Ariosto, Tasso felt even more unworthy than he had before.

      In an attempt to alter Tasso's despondent mood, the princess reminded Tasso of the first time that they had met. The princess had been seriously sick. When she recovered, Lucretia, the sister of the princess, introduced Tasso to her. Their happy association was somewhat dampened when the Duke of Urbino married Lucretia and took her away. The princess missed her sister, and Tasso felt sorry for her.

      Tasso said that he was able to express himself freely when he was alone with the princess. However, to the dismay of the princess, Tasso did not feel close to anyone else. Alphons was his lord, so he could not express himself freely in his presence. He did not feel close to Antonio. He associated with Leonore Sanvitale only because the princess wanted him to do so.

      Tasso was afraid that some prince would eventually marry the princess and she would leave. The princess assured him that she had no prospects and that she was content to stay where she was. If Tasso wanted to keep her with him, he should lead a happy life. He would thereby make her happy also.

      Tasso and the princess admired one another. Tasso told the princess that all his days were dedicated unto her. On her part, the princess graphically praised the poetry of Tasso. She especially noted his admirable treatment of the feminine sex. She told Tasso that his poetry wins us in the end. (All translations from the German are my own.)

      Tasso ecstatically told the princess that she was opening a heaven before his eyes. The princess tried to cool his ardor and left. However, Tasso continued to express his ecstasy in a monologue. He seemed to think that the heart of the princess was harboring more than feelings of friendship and admiration.

      In the next scene, Tasso and Antonio were alone. Tasso was in a good mood. He offered Antonio his friendship because he knew the princess wanted them to be friends. However, Antonio thought that Tasso was acting too precipitously. Only time could make them close friends.

      Antonio did not like it that Tasso had been crowned with a wreath. He implied that the wreath was a decoration that he had gained by chance rather than an adornment that he deserved. This started an argument that almost led to violence. Tasso angrily drew his dagger and challenged Antonio to fight with him.

      The duke intervened before they started to fight. Tasso explained to the duke that Antonio had insulted him, while Antonio complained about Tasso's belligerent attitude. He pointed out that people were not supposed to fight on the duke's property.

      The duke reproved Tasso. Tasso deserved prison because of his misconduct. However, because the duke forgave him, he only commanded Tasso to go to his room and remain alone. Tasso would be his own guard.

      Tasso told the duke that he would obey, but he felt dishonored. He took off his wreath. The duke told him that he was taking it too seriously.

      After Tasso left, Alphons told Antonio that he wanted the poet to remain at his court as long as he lived. He suggested that Leonore Sanvitale first approach Tasso to calm him down. Then Antonio should tell Tasso in the name of the duke that his confinement to his room was terminated. The duke wanted to effect reconciliation before he and Antonio left Belriguardo.

      The princess was distressed when she learned about the fight. She discussed the matter with Leonore Sanvitale, who suggested that it would be a good idea if Tasso went to Rome or Florence for a while.

      The princess did not like the idea. She could not bear the thought of being separated from Tasso. Leonore persuasively urged the princess to agree to her plan of action. She assured the princess that Tasso would soon return. Finally, the princess consented to let him go.

      In a monologue, Leonore admitted that the real reason that she wanted Tasso to leave was so that she herself could enjoy his company.

      Leonore Sanvitale then met Antonio. Antonio admitted that he envied Tasso because of his wreath and because the ladies were paying so much attention to him. However, he regretted the quarrel and asked Leonore to soothe the mind of Tasso. Antonio would then come and attempt to make peace with the poet. He pointed out that they had to act quickly, since he and the duke were leaving that very night.

      Leonore Sanvitale dutifully tried to persuade Tasso to pardon Antonio, but Tasso seemed to be paranoid. He was convinced that Antonio was his inveterate enemy.

      Since her attempts to reconcile Tasso with Antonio were failing, she suggested that Tasso go to Florence for a while. Leonore lived in Florence, and she said that she and her husband would gladly entertain him. Tasso wanted to think the matter over before deciding what to do.

      Tasso asked Leonore whether the princess was angry with him. He also wanted to know whether the princess would agree to his absence. Leonore assured Tasso that the princess was still favorably disposed toward him. She would agree to Tasso's departure if it would be good for Tasso.

      Before leaving, Leonore told Tasso about Antonio's impending visit. She explained that the duke had commanded him to try to effect a reconciliation and that Antonio himself regretted the quarrel. She urged Tasso to receive him calmly. She also told Tasso that he was mistaken if he thought that anyone in the fatherland was persecuting him or hated him.

      When Tasso was alone, he expressed his belief that he was indeed hated and persecuted. He even came to the conclusion that Leonore Sanvitale was an agent of his enemies. He decided to leave, but he did not want to go to Florence. He decided to go further away.

      When Antonio came, he first freed him from his confinement in the name of the duke. Then they discussed Tasso's grievance. Antonio asked Tasso to pardon him. He emphasized that it was not only his wish, but the wish of the duke.

      In obedience to the duke, Tasso pardoned Antonio. To demonstrate his good will, Antonio asked Tasso if there was any way in which he could be serviceable to him.

      Tasso said that he thought his epic might have to be changed, and he wanted to consult with friends who were in Rome. Because of the trouble, he did not dare to ask the duke for permission to absent himself. He asked Antonio to present his petition to the duke.

      Antonio tried to persuade Tasso not to leave or at least wait till the duke returned to Belriguardo. Tasso insisted that he wanted to leave immediately.

      Antonio finally agreed to talk to the duke. However, he warned Tasso that he would not like it in Rome and he would soon want to come back.

      After Antonio left, Tasso succumbed to paranoia once more. He did not think that Antonio was sincere when he urged him not to leave. Moreover, Tasso thought that everyone had forsaken him, even the princess.

      Alphons reluctantly agreed to allow Tasso to journey to Rome. However, Tasso was not satisfied. He asked the duke to return the manuscript of his epic. The duke did not want to part with it, but he promised to have a copy made for Tasso.

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