Alongside Gryphius, the Silesian poet Daniel Casper von Lohenstein (1635-1683) was one of the most important writers of the German Baroque. He was a lawyer, emissary, and imperial councilor, and published a large number of masterful tragedies in addition to his principal creative opus, the large-scale but unfinished novel Arminius, which is regarded as a roman à clef about social and political conditions in the Holy Roman Empire following the Thirty Years' War. Lohenstein's works always contain a wealth of intellectual and educational substance and are characterized by flashy effects and lively plots in the style of Baroque theater. Until now, only the plays (1953ff.) and poems (1992) have appeared in individual editions. The Berlin project thus represents the first complete historical-critical edition with comprehensive commentary. The overall edition encompasses 22 volumes and is divided into five sections:
Section I: Poetry
(Editor: Lothar Mundt, Wolfgang Neuber, Thomas Rahn)
2 Volumes
Section II: Plays
(Editor: Lothar Mundt)
1.1. Ibrahim Bassa. Cleopatra – Text and Variants
1.2. Commentary
2.1. Aggrippina. Epicharis – Text and Variants
2.2. Commentary
3.1. Ibrahim Sultan. Sophonisbe – Text and Variants
3.2. Commentary
Section III: Arminius
(Editor: N.N.)
Text: 8 Volumes, Commentary: 4 Volumes
Section IV: Prose Texts
(Editor: Lothar Mundt)
1 Volume (Text and Commentary)
Section V: Translations
(Editor: Sebastian Neumeister)
1 Volume (Text and Commentary)
In addition to a commentary containing detailed information about the history of the material, sources, facts, and intertextual references, each of the editions also includes a precise directory of bibliographical resources, a comprehensive bibliography of the research literature, as well as an index of names. Thus, the editors are presenting what is sure to become the authoritative scholarly edition of the works of this important Baroque poet. For the first time, this edition will make Lohenstein and his complete works fully accessible to research.
- The authoritative historical-critical edition of the works of this important Baroque poet
- Features extensive commentary and documentation
Information on the Editors
The edition is being prepared at Freie Universität Berlin. Wolfgang Neuber was Professor for Early Modern Literature, Lothar Mundt and Thomas Rahn lecturers at the university's Institute for German and Dutch Literature.