The criticism of Friedrich Schiller's major dramas in the Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek (1770-1796) and the Neue Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek (1793-1806)

The objective of this study was to determine the general attitude of the Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek (1770- 1796) and the Neue Allqemeine Deutsche Bibliothek (1793-1806) toward the major dramas of Friedrich Schiller. This subject merits attention because of the profound influence which this periodical had upon the opinions of the German-speaking people in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Because this periodical was founded by Friedrich Nicplai, an arch Rationalist, and since it continued to reflect the attitudes of the Rationalists, this study offers a view of their reactions to the Storm and Stress movement and German Classicism, as seen in the dramas of Schiller.

In order to study the development of the criticism of Schiller's major dramas, all the reviews of these in the Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek and the Neue Allqemeine Deutsche Bibliothek were carefully examined. Only the reviews themselves were read for the purposes of this study.

The resulting overall view was much as expected. The early dramas, characterized by Storm and Stress, are harshly rejected, with the last of them, Kabale und Liebe, receiving less severe treatment than the first two. The criticism of Don Carlos, generally regarded as being Schiller's transitional drama from Storm and Stress to Classicism, marks an abrupt change from rejection to approval. This tone generally prevails for most of the later dramas, with the sole exception of Die Braut von Messina. In all the reviews, even the most strident, Schiller's talent is acknowledged. This and the increasingly extensive treatment of his dramatic works undoubtedly contributed to the widespread influence of his works and ideas, and to his personal acclaim.