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Autor: Rolf Haaser

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Verkleidet zurück: Odysseus und die Wiederkehr des Mythos bei Kotzebue

What happens when a long-lost husband steps out of the shadows—at a masked ball? In “Die Masken” (1813), August von Kotzebue transforms Homer’s Odysseus into a colonial returnee and places Penelope among the suitors once more. This blog post “Masked Returns and Mythical Echoes: Odysseus Reimagined “ explores Kotzebue’s rich and ironic reworkings of the homecoming motif, tracing explicit references to Penelope across his plays and prose. From theatrical disguises to literary homage, Kotzebue invites us to reencounter ancient myth in the domestic dramas of modernity.

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Alte Reithalle: wo die Bühne Kotzebue erstmals überwältigte und das dramatische Feuer entfachte

As a preview of the upcoming literary walk in Weimar, we present a memoir by August von Kotzebue in which he recalls his first encounter with the theatre: a performance of Klopstock’s Death of Adam at the Old Riding Hall in Weimar. This moment proved formative—the young Kotzebue was overwhelmed by the stage, and it was here that his passion for drama was first ignited. A vivid glimpse into the origins of an extraordinary theatrical career.

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Kotzebue durch Nietzsches Augen: „Das eigentliche Theatertalent der Deutschen“ und die Perspektiven der Forschung

The blog post “Kotzebue through Nietzsche’s Eyes” builds on the insights of our previous publication, which presented Friedrich Nietzsche’s surprising appreciation of August von Kotzebue as “the genuine theatrical talent of the Germans.” This follow-up examines how Nietzsche’s remarks have been received and interpreted in scholarly debates from 1950 to the present. By drawing on both well-known and overlooked sources, the post offers a synthesis that highlights Nietzsche’s critique of the German cultural elite, his reflections on taste and authenticity, and the role of theatre in society. It aims to provide a foundation for further discussion and research.

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Nietzsche und Kotzebue: „Die Deutschen im Theater“ – Eine ungewöhnliche Wertschätzung im Spannungsfeld der deutschen Theaterkultur

As we begin a new year, this post revisits Friedrich Nietzsche’s provocative take on August von Kotzebue, offering fresh insights into the dynamics of German theatre culture. In aphorism 170 of Human, All Too Human (1878), Nietzsche describes Kotzebue as the “true theatre talent of the Germans.” This provocative claim compels a re-evaluation of theatre as a cultural institution that values authenticity and popular engagement over idealised intellectualism. By reflecting on Nietzsche’s critique, we re-engage with enduring debates about the intersection of art, audience, and cultural values—a timely prompt for fresh perspectives in the year ahead.

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Lebensstationen August von Kotzebues: Badereise nach Karlsbad im Juni 1790 (Teil 3)

In this third instalment, Rolf Haaser examines Elisa von der Recke’s diary as a vital source on the social dynamics in Karlsbad, 1790. Her entries reveal Kotzebue’s complex role, influenced by Bode’s preference for Schulz and her critique of “Menschenhaß und Reue”. Kotzebue’s charm contrasts with perceived moral flaws in his plays, while Bode’s sensitivity to social hierarchies underscores tensions in this elite circle. The diary offers a unique lens into their interactions.

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Lebensstationen August von Kotzebues: Badereise nach Karlsbad im Juni 1790 (Teil 1)

The new blog series delves into the life of August von Kotzebue, a prolific playwright whose journeys often shaped his personal and professional milestones. In this first installment, Rolf Haaser explores Kotzebue’s spa visit to Karlsbad in June 1790, a pivotal moment that highlights both his physical recovery and his immersion into the vibrant social circles of the era. Join us as we uncover how Kotzebue’s travels influenced his relationships, literary career, and societal presence.

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Geburtstagsreise eines Hypochonders

An seinem 57. Geburtstag unternahm August von Kotzebues eine Spazierfahrt von Mainz nach Wiesbaden in Begleitung seiner Frau Wilhelmine. Seine Stimmungslage am 3. Mai 1818 spiegelt ein Reisebericht wider, der unter dem Titel „Eine Reise der Nase nach“ im „Literarischen Wochenblatt“ erschien.