Dear Hiveans,
In my last post I wrote that I didn't like most of German classes in school. But there was some great literature we read. One of this is my favourite German poem: Friedrich Schiller's Die Bürgschaft (The Pledge)
Schiller's ballad The Pledge is about friendship, loyalty and fate. Damon wants to kill the tyrant Dionys, but is caught and sentenced to death. He asks for a three-day reprieve so that he can get his sister married, and his friend Möros guarantees his return with his own life. After many obstacles, Damon returns at the last second to keep his promise. Impressed by their loyalty, Dionys pardons him and wishes to become part of that strong friendship himself.
I recommend you to read it, e.g. here
I like Schiller (as opposed to the more austere, dry Goethe) because of his dramatic power, idealism and revolutionary power (pro liberty, justice and against tyranny). Other great poems are The Glove (wiki) and The Diver (wiki).
What is your favourite poem?
Have a great day,
zuerich
Memes, quotes by Schiller
Liebe Hiver,
in meinem letzten Post schrieb ich, dass mir der Deutschunterricht in der Schule meistens nicht gefallen hat. Aber es gab einige sehr gute Werke, die wir gelesen haben. Eines davon ist mein Lieblingsgedicht: Friedrich Schillers Die Bürgschaft.
In Schillers Ballade Die Bürgschaft geht es um Freundschaft, Treue und Schicksal. Damon will den Tyrannen Dionys töten, wird aber gefasst und zum Tode verurteilt. Er bittet um einen dreitägigen Aufschub, damit er seine Schwester verheiraten kann, und sein Freund Möros bürgt mit seinem eigenen Leben für seine Rückkehr. Nach vielen Hindernissen kehrt Damon in letzter Sekunde zurück, um sein Versprechen einzulösen. Beeindruckt von ihrer Loyalität verzeiht Dionys ihm und möchte selbst Teil dieser starken Freundschaft werden.
Ich empfehle die Lektüre, z.B. hier
Ich mag Schiller (im Gegensatz zu dem nüchternen Goethe) wegen seiner dramatischen Kraft, seines Idealismus und seines revolutionären Geistes (für Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit und gegen Tyrannei). Andere große Gedichte von Schiller sind Der Handschuh (wiki) und Der Taucher (wiki).
Was ist Dein Lieblingsgedicht?
Have a nice day,
zuerich
Memes, Zitate von Schiller
Many many years ago when I was in college, I began a first year language course in French. I couldn't stand it. I told the advisor I had to get out, and chose instead German. Against all odds (because I started late) I did well. I loved the language.
German can sound very harsh and authoritarian, or it can sound like Schiller. I fell in love with the Schiller German :)
While my comprehension was always less than fluent, and it is much less now, still I prefer the German version. To me the rhyme scheme is musical (which the English loses).
I'm not much into poetry. I like to say stuff plain, as it is. So I don't have a favorite poem, unless it is one my friend (deceased) wrote. Plain language. Simple message. Reached the heart.
I am also not much into poetry and fiction overall. Mostly I read non-fiction books in English. But once or twice a year, I read some German literature (as I find English poetry difficult to understand).
I noticed in your summary of that poem how Damon returns to fulfill his promise. Surprised by his loyalty Dionysus forgives him and wishes to be part of that consistent friendship. Here you describe how important loyalty is. I also read following your recommendations the poem (The Gauntlet) by the same author. I found it interesting
Great poem
In Sohth Korea, the most famous work is Wilhelm Tell by Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller.Guten tag, Dear @zuerich !
They like best the actions of Wilhelm Tell in liberating Switzerland from Austrian rule!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell_(play)
I love Die Lorelei!
Danke!
That is a powerful poem.
Anyone would love to become a third person in such friendship.
Hallo! Zuerich
Klingt gut! Sowas haben wir nicht gelesen. Das Beste an was ich mich von meiner Schulzeit erinnern kann war „Brave New World“ von Huxley. Hab ich zweimal schon durch.