The cave motif in Heinrich von Ofterdingen

Many aspects of Novalis' fragmentary novel, Heinrich von Ofterdingen, have been declared to be central structural elements. This study is concerned with the cave motif in Part I, "Die Erwartung," as a structural phenomenon, with particular attention to developmental tendencies of this motif. In order to gain the fullest insight into Novalis' utilization of the cave motif in Heinrich von Ofterdingen pertinent biographical information is presented. The use of the cave or grotto in some contemporary literary works is also included in order to delineate Novalis' particular utilization of this motif. Finally, each of the six cave episodes is analyzed in terms of physical characteristics of the caves/ context of occurrence, and effect upon Heinrich's development into a poet.

The analysis of the six caves in Part I of Heinrich von Ofterdingen reveals a progressive development of the motif from infinite to finite. This conclusion is supported by the fact that Novalis drops the cave motif in Part II, in which Heinrich von Ofterdingen is designated as a poet from the beginning.