The language of passion : the order of poetics and the construction of a lyric genre 1746-1806

Abstract: The subject of this dissertation is the construction of a lyric genre in academic poetics between 1746 and 1806, in handbooks and lectures by Ch. Batteux, J. A. Schlegel, J. G. Sulzer, H. Blair, J. J. Eschenburg, J. J. Engel, A. W. Schlegel, F. W. J. Schelling, F. Ast, and F. Bouterwek. The study also aims at a reconsideration of neoclassical versus romantic poetics.The first chapter investigates the relation between tradition and discourse. It argues that poetics as a discipline relies on an ancient legacy and on contemporary legitimising discourses, such as the natural sciences, moral philosophy, or idealist philosophy. The two levels indicate sites of interplay between continuity and change.The second chapter discusses the concept of genre. It is established that the lyric genre is not dependent on a triadic system of genres. All sources provide generic enumerations, even though they represent different approaches to systematic closure. The lyric genre consists of a classical canon paired with a more changeable set of contemporary lyrics.The lyric genre is defined as the language of passion in all sources and is connected with brevity, enthusiasm, metrical freedom, and disorder. In the third chapter lyrical expression is related to concepts such as imitation, authenticity, original poetry, and religious poetry. The lyric genre vacillates between the expression of universal and individual feelings. It is argued that the identification of lyric poetry as expression does not entail that the emotions in question are to be understood as authentic.