Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-20
THE HIGH SCHOOL LECTURES.
DIR. Bernhardt Continues His Talk to the
Students About Goethe.

| students About Goethe.
At the second Of his Wednesday lectures Dr.
Bernhard said: While law student at Strass-
burg University in l771 Goethe became ac-
qusinted with the Chronicle Of Goetz Won Ber-
lichingen, book in which the deeds Of that
! rObber knight of the sixteenth century are
recorded by himself with unaffected dignity.
| There he found material such as Shakespeare
| found in Holinshed and Saxo Grammaticus
which he used in the same free spirit. At the
same time the young poet discovered Shake
speare and this fact wrought kind of intel
lectual metamorphosis in him, for through the
works of the great English dramatist he learned
to disregard the Aristotelian unities Of time,
place and action, and to respect no
other laws than natures owr. In this he fol-
lowed the ''original geniuses or the poets Of the
storm and stress school in German literature,
which just then was approaching Its climax,
and the infection Of which he could no more
escape than child can escape the humps or
the measles,' as Bsyard Taylor puts it. The
drama. "Goetz Won Berlichingen," is glorifca-
ton of the club law of the Middle Ages. The
poet introduces Goetz az the champion of the
oppressed people, an heroic marauder. who in
defending his own rights also maintains an in
viOlable principle The Characterization Of the
hero is mastery; bold and self-contident and
still generously unsuspicious and simple rs n
child. equally ready to resent and forgive, hot
blooded. proud and obstinate, he Is an
embodiment Of all that is noblest
and genuine type Of medieval manhood as
ever appeared III reality or fiction. This drama
made an epoch in The history OF German
literature. What q tremendous figure was this
burly, iron-hanjed Goetz in century OF
delicate rocco sentiments, century with
powdered locks and silk stockings In England
its influence has been peLhaps still more
markable. Sir Walter Scott's first literary
enterprise was n translation OF Goethe,s "Goetz
Won BerlichinSen. and If genius could be COM
municated Ike instruction, we might call this
work OF Goethe's the prime cause OF Marrnioa
aud the Lady OF the Lake. with all that has fol-
lowed from the same creative hand.
During his stay in Italy QTS6-Ss) Goethe
turned his prose drama. "Iphigenia auf
Iauris." into verse. Apart from all consiGera-
tions of popularity or fitness for thea trical
Representation Iphigen;a my be considered rs
Goothes most artistic drama. All its parts are
closely united. its nlotivesar clearly developed
and ole consistent tone OF dignity and repose
prevails from Iphigeuias monclogue in the
opening Lines to the closing farewell of King
1hoas. But readers who expect stirring incl
dents and loud passion in play may find the
GOODNESS OF Greek sculpture as well rs its repose
IN this n,odern-C ntique drama.
"Torquato Iasso," too. 10 Psychological
study, 1t is almost without action, but abounds
In fine quotable passages. 1t mas the clearness,
unity and matchless grace of Raphael, not the
lustroUs warmth OF Titan or the crowded
gorgeOuGness OF Paul Veroncse.
In 'Egmont" Goethe achieved theatrical
success, as this tragedy is still more frequently
performed than any other OF his dramas. The
types of Claerchen and Egmont have a pereil-
NAL beauty of which no critic can deprive
them. The great elemental passion, which is
the handspring of their speech and action. APP
peals 10 all hearts alike and invests them with
charm which can never grow old.
DIR. Bernhardts third public lecture in Ger
man will take place Wednesday, April /, and
will dwell upon Goethes tragedy, Faust.