Die Pragmatik des Schweigens bei Hugo von Hofmansthal und ihre kulturelle Genese Buchkatalog

Diplomarbeit aus dem Jahr 2004 im Fachbereich Germanistik - Literaturgeschichte, Epochen, Note: 1, 1, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), 79 Quellen im Literaturverzeichnis, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: The present paper wants to examine which meanings silence carries in the works of Hugo von Hofmannsthal and how these meanings alter in the development of his work and person. Therefore, the paper starts off with a linguistic definition of silence. Hofmannsthal was an Austrian writer who lived in Fin de Siècle Vienna at the turn of the 19th century. His generation was influenced by Romantic tradition and was highly aware of the uprising modernization, which was regarded critically. Common catchwords that are linked with the Fin de Siècle are aestheticism, mysticism, mask, dreams, symbolism, etc. The first part of the paper illustrates the cultural and philosophical tradition in which Hofmannsthal and his generation stand and in how far silence was attributed a great role through mysticism. The rise of modern culture provoked a new skepticism towards language and its means of expression. The young poets appear to be influenced mainly by Nietzsche, Mauthner and Wittgenstein, who all consider language as not being able to fully reflect reality. Further input came from physicians and psychologists such as Mach and Freud. Hofmannsthal's silences, finally, have to be put in context with changes in time, world and person. Silence in the work of the young Hofmannsthal carries different meanings and forms as in later years. The final part analyses different works of Hofmannsthal and contextualizes these with the cultural and historic background