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The Poetics of Ending in Lessing, Goethe, and Kleist: A Critical Examination

Branson Carter

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Literary Conclusions: The Poetics of Ending in Lessing, Goethe, and Kleist

by Oliver Simons

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1823 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	238 pages

The ending of a literary work is a crucial element that can make or break the reader's experience. It is the culmination of all that has come before, and it can leave a lasting impression on the reader's mind. In the works of German writers Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Heinrich von Kleist, endings play a particularly important role. These writers were masters of the art of ending, and their works provide a rich source of material for critical examination.

Lessing's Endings

Lessing was a master of the dramatic ending. His plays often feature unexpected twists and turns that leave the audience on the edge of their seats. In his play "Emilia Galotti," for example, the heroine is killed by her father in Free Download to save her from being dishonored. This shocking ending is a powerful indictment of the social conventions that restrict women's freedom.

Lessing also used endings to explore the nature of tragedy. In his play "Nathan the Wise," the hero is a wise and tolerant man who is able to reconcile different religious factions. However, the play ends with the hero's death, suggesting that true peace and understanding are difficult to achieve in a world of conflict.

Goethe's Endings

Goethe was a master of the novelistic ending. His novels often feature open-ended s that leave the reader to ponder the characters' fates. In his novel "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship," for example, the hero sets out on a journey of self-discovery. The novel ends with Wilhelm still on his journey, suggesting that the process of self-discovery is never-ending.

Goethe also used endings to explore the nature of the human condition. In his novel "Faust," the hero makes a pact with the devil in Free Download to gain knowledge and power. However, the novel ends with Faust's damnation, suggesting that the pursuit of knowledge and power can lead to destruction.

Kleist's Endings

Kleist was a master of the short story ending. His stories often feature sudden and violent endings that leave the reader reeling. In his story "The Marquise of O...," for example, the heroine is raped by a mysterious stranger. The story ends with the heroine marrying the stranger, a twist that leaves the reader to wonder about the nature of justice and revenge.

Kleist also used endings to explore the nature of madness. In his story "Michael Kohlhaas," the hero is driven to madness by his desire for revenge. The story ends with Kohlhaas being executed, a tragic end that highlights the destructive power of madness.

The endings of Lessing, Goethe, and Kleist's works are a testament to the power of literature to explore the human condition. These writers used endings to surprise, shock, and provoke their readers. They also used endings to explore the nature of tragedy, the human condition, and the destructive power of madness. The Poetics of Ending in Lessing, Goethe, and Kleist is a critical examination of the works of these three great writers and their exploration of endings in literature.