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Penthesilea
Penthesilea By Heinrich von Kleist
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1808
28 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
Heinrich von Kleist
1,029 books358 followersThe dramatist, writer, lyricist, and publicist Heinrich von Kleist was born in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1777. Upon his father's early death in 1788 when he was ten, he was sent to the house of the preacher S. Cartel and attended the French Gymnasium. In 1792, Kleist entered the guard regiment in Potsdam and took part in the Rhein campaign against France in 1796. Kleist voluntarily resigned from army service in 1799 and until 1800 studied philosophy, physics, mathematics, and political science at Viadrina University in Frankfurt an der Oder. He went to Berlin early in the year 1800 and penned his drama "Die Familie Ghonorez". Kleist, who tended to irrationalism and was often tormented by a longing for death, then lit out restlessly through Germany, France, and Switzerland.
After several physical and nervous breakdowns, in which he even burned the manuscript of one of his dramas, Heinrich von Kleist reentered the Prussian army in 1804, working in Berlin and Königsberg. There he wrote "Amphitryon" and "Penthesilea."
After being discharged in 1807, Kleist was apprehended on suspicion of being a spy. After this he went to Dresden, where he edited the art journal "Phoebus" with Adam Müller and completed the comedy "The Broken Pitcher" ("Der zerbrochene Krug") and the folk play "Katchen von Heilbronn" ("Das Käthchen von Heilbronn").
Back in Berlin, the one time Rousseau devotee had become a bitter opponent of Napoleon. In 1811, he finished "Prinz Friedrich von Homburg." Finding himself again in financial and personal difficulties, Heinrich von Kleist, together with his lover, the terminally ill Henriette Vogel, committed suicide near the Wannsee in Berlin in 1811.
[From http://www.heinrich-von-kleist.com/]
After several physical and nervous breakdowns, in which he even burned the manuscript of one of his dramas, Heinrich von Kleist reentered the Prussian army in 1804, working in Berlin and Königsberg. There he wrote "Amphitryon" and "Penthesilea."
After being discharged in 1807, Kleist was apprehended on suspicion of being a spy. After this he went to Dresden, where he edited the art journal "Phoebus" with Adam Müller and completed the comedy "The Broken Pitcher" ("Der zerbrochene Krug") and the folk play "Katchen von Heilbronn" ("Das Käthchen von Heilbronn").
Back in Berlin, the one time Rousseau devotee had become a bitter opponent of Napoleon. In 1811, he finished "Prinz Friedrich von Homburg." Finding himself again in financial and personal difficulties, Heinrich von Kleist, together with his lover, the terminally ill Henriette Vogel, committed suicide near the Wannsee in Berlin in 1811.
[From http://www.heinrich-von-kleist.com/]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
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February 10, 2021Not everybody dies.
There is a story that the Amazons joined in the Trojan war, across the crowded battlefield the eyes of their Queen, Penthesilea and those of Achilles, met and the rest is illustrated on a vase
Kleist's story does not exactly follow that tradition. In one way theatre does not quite suit the story he wants to tell as the action happens mostly off stage and we learn about it indirectly either through the characters on stage seeing what we can't see or because somebody has come from the action and can relate what they have seen to the other characters. On the other hand this suits Kleist enormously as he sometimes seems to have been in a search to strip down a narrative to the minimum that can convey the emotional intensity that he wanted his audience to appreciate. Further accentuated in that there is no division into Acts, there are instead just twenty-four scenes that spill breathlessly from one to another.
His biography as a boy soldier, well boy-officer in fact, adds a disquieting element to his choice of material, perhaps there is a suggestion that in circumstances such as war which are emotionally intense, that one can easily shift from one emotional high to another, from hate and blood lust to sexual passion, as Penthesilea remarks; Küsse, Bisse/ Das reimt sich, und wer recht von Herzen liebt, Kann schon das eine für das andre greifen (p.101). Unsettling.
There is a story that the Amazons joined in the Trojan war, across the crowded battlefield the eyes of their Queen, Penthesilea and those of Achilles, met and the rest is illustrated on a vase
Kleist's story does not exactly follow that tradition. In one way theatre does not quite suit the story he wants to tell as the action happens mostly off stage and we learn about it indirectly either through the characters on stage seeing what we can't see or because somebody has come from the action and can relate what they have seen to the other characters. On the other hand this suits Kleist enormously as he sometimes seems to have been in a search to strip down a narrative to the minimum that can convey the emotional intensity that he wanted his audience to appreciate. Further accentuated in that there is no division into Acts, there are instead just twenty-four scenes that spill breathlessly from one to another.
His biography as a boy soldier, well boy-officer in fact, adds a disquieting element to his choice of material, perhaps there is a suggestion that in circumstances such as war which are emotionally intense, that one can easily shift from one emotional high to another, from hate and blood lust to sexual passion, as Penthesilea remarks; Küsse, Bisse/ Das reimt sich, und wer recht von Herzen liebt, Kann schon das eine für das andre greifen (p.101). Unsettling.
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January 16, 2022Every German classics author had a lil sus Crush on achilles
July 8, 2021
Lu dans une autre édition, traduit par Pierre Deshusses, conseillée chaudement par une amie helléniste de coeur comme de profession.
L'écriture est sublime, très rythmée, elle glisse sur la langue tout en étant simple, un délice !
Les sentiments contradictoires qui logent dans le cœur fier de Penthésilée, Reine des Amazones, sont aussi passionnants que déchirants. L'Amour, comme folie destructrice, à l'image de la Guerre.
Une Reine, entraînée à vaincre les hommes dans le sang pour les posséder, est touchée malgré elle d'un désir irrépressible pour ce héros sublime qu'est Achille, et incapable de retrouver en elle le chemin de la sensualité et de la douceur féminine, elle se consume dans un Amour qui tient presque de la haine, une sensualité cannibale, affamée, incapable aussi bien d'être assouvie que rassasiée.
L'écriture est sublime, très rythmée, elle glisse sur la langue tout en étant simple, un délice !
Les sentiments contradictoires qui logent dans le cœur fier de Penthésilée, Reine des Amazones, sont aussi passionnants que déchirants. L'Amour, comme folie destructrice, à l'image de la Guerre.
Une Reine, entraînée à vaincre les hommes dans le sang pour les posséder, est touchée malgré elle d'un désir irrépressible pour ce héros sublime qu'est Achille, et incapable de retrouver en elle le chemin de la sensualité et de la douceur féminine, elle se consume dans un Amour qui tient presque de la haine, une sensualité cannibale, affamée, incapable aussi bien d'être assouvie que rassasiée.
May 25, 2025
Wat in de fanfiction is dit
June 2, 2025
ngl reading the pages leading up to the last duel was one of the most genuinely harrowing literary experiences ever😭😭
September 29, 2017
An interesting play about the amazons during the Greek and Trojan war. They turn up and begin to fight both sides without explanation. Then, it turns out, they are hunting mates.
It resembles a superhero movie with much action and violence. The attraction between Penthesilea and Achilles is fascinating, but I would have like to know more about it. It felt a little rushed.
It resembles a superhero movie with much action and violence. The attraction between Penthesilea and Achilles is fascinating, but I would have like to know more about it. It felt a little rushed.
December 21, 2024
Kleists Sprache ist zwar stellenweise herausfordernd, aber auch sehr beeindruckend. In diesem Trauerspiel treffen Liebe und Gewalt aufeinander und werden von Penthesilea auch verwechselt. Der Frauenstaat der Amazonen, in dem die Geschlechterrollen radikal aufgebrochen sind, ist sehr interessant aufgebaut. Die Liebe, die Achilles und Penthesilea füreinander empfinden, entwickelt sich sehr schnell, was jedoch bei der Vermischung von Wahnsinn und Zuneigung für mich gut ins Bild passt. An Mauerschauen gibt es ein paar zu viel, trotzdem geht an Dramatik dadurch nichts verloren.
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March 23, 2023Warriors in Love
22 March 2023
I have mentioned the idea of the three unities before – the Unity of Time, Place, and Action, and while it might sound like it is just stylistic, we do have to remember that at times during the early modern theatre it was actually illegal to write a play that didn’t stick to the three unities – and people complain out how narrow-minded publishers are these days. Mind you, it does sort of make some sense because you are very limited with what you can do on stage, and the special effects that we have these days simply weren’t available. Yet, despite that, there are ways and means of building the context without breaking the unities (and it is usually done through exposition).
So, the play is set during the Trojan War and involves the battle between the Greeks and the Amazons. The thing that the Greeks find odd is why the Amazons are fighting on the side of the Trojans when they are more aligned with the Greeks. Well, it turns out that they have this tradition that they can only marry somebody whom they have bested in combat. Well, in this case, the Amazon Queen Penthesilea has fallen in love with Achilles, and much of the play involves the struggle between who will best the other.
You know, it might not seem obvious (or it might just do so), that I found the play to actually be quite sexual. I suspect that this is why this play actually caused such a huge amount of controversy when it was released (though it seems that it might have had more to do with the violence, but then again this wasn’t necessarily the most violent play that was around at the time – I suspect that it was the outright sexual nature of the struggle between Achilles and Penthesilea).
As I think of it, you could say that it is a struggle between two lovers to best each other, but the interesting thing is that Achilles is the one who eventually submits – though in typical Greek fashion (this play is not just based on a Greek story, but Kleist borrows a large number of Greek literary techniques as well, including the fact that the play is not split into acts), the main characters misunderstand each other and the result ends up being rather deadly.
It is an interesting concept, though I suspect that Kleist might not have understood the nature of love in Ancient Greece the same way that we understand it, but still, considering the era in which the play was written, there is probably a particularly good reason for that. However, it is a very passionate play, where the main characters talk about their love for the other, and at times struggle with each other to win the other’s approval. Though it is interesting about how many love stories do explore the struggle as the two parties struggle with their humanity and human feelings, but also the fact that there are societal norms are that in place that dictate how relationships are to be conducted.
Mind you, we live in a society that is remarkably free to pursue relationships, though there are still some cultural (as well as ethical) norms that we tend to follow. For instance, Leonardo di Caprio seems to get a lot of flack because he only seems to date women that are under the age of 25. It is also easy to forget that it wasn’t long ago that two people of the same sex were forbidden from having a romantic relationship (in fact it was outright illegal). Even now there is a segment of society that is quite vocal that we should return to those days.
This play certainly does explore the nature of love, and also of how society shapes how we love, and how we chose our partners. In this instance, the Amazons are fighting against the Greeks not because they see the Greeks as enemies, but because they see the Greek men as being potential suitors, but the only way that they can claim a suitor is to defeat them in combat. Interestingly, we see Achilles break the social norm of the Greeks by actually going into combat intending on losing. This is certainly something that a warrior, and a warrior like Achilles, would necessarily do. The other interesting thing is that Kleist switches the story around from the way the original Greek set it up. In this instance, the Amazon Queen kills Achilles, but in the legend Achilles kills the Amazon Queen, and then falls in love with her.
22 March 2023
I have mentioned the idea of the three unities before – the Unity of Time, Place, and Action, and while it might sound like it is just stylistic, we do have to remember that at times during the early modern theatre it was actually illegal to write a play that didn’t stick to the three unities – and people complain out how narrow-minded publishers are these days. Mind you, it does sort of make some sense because you are very limited with what you can do on stage, and the special effects that we have these days simply weren’t available. Yet, despite that, there are ways and means of building the context without breaking the unities (and it is usually done through exposition).
So, the play is set during the Trojan War and involves the battle between the Greeks and the Amazons. The thing that the Greeks find odd is why the Amazons are fighting on the side of the Trojans when they are more aligned with the Greeks. Well, it turns out that they have this tradition that they can only marry somebody whom they have bested in combat. Well, in this case, the Amazon Queen Penthesilea has fallen in love with Achilles, and much of the play involves the struggle between who will best the other.
You know, it might not seem obvious (or it might just do so), that I found the play to actually be quite sexual. I suspect that this is why this play actually caused such a huge amount of controversy when it was released (though it seems that it might have had more to do with the violence, but then again this wasn’t necessarily the most violent play that was around at the time – I suspect that it was the outright sexual nature of the struggle between Achilles and Penthesilea).
As I think of it, you could say that it is a struggle between two lovers to best each other, but the interesting thing is that Achilles is the one who eventually submits – though in typical Greek fashion (this play is not just based on a Greek story, but Kleist borrows a large number of Greek literary techniques as well, including the fact that the play is not split into acts), the main characters misunderstand each other and the result ends up being rather deadly.
It is an interesting concept, though I suspect that Kleist might not have understood the nature of love in Ancient Greece the same way that we understand it, but still, considering the era in which the play was written, there is probably a particularly good reason for that. However, it is a very passionate play, where the main characters talk about their love for the other, and at times struggle with each other to win the other’s approval. Though it is interesting about how many love stories do explore the struggle as the two parties struggle with their humanity and human feelings, but also the fact that there are societal norms are that in place that dictate how relationships are to be conducted.
Mind you, we live in a society that is remarkably free to pursue relationships, though there are still some cultural (as well as ethical) norms that we tend to follow. For instance, Leonardo di Caprio seems to get a lot of flack because he only seems to date women that are under the age of 25. It is also easy to forget that it wasn’t long ago that two people of the same sex were forbidden from having a romantic relationship (in fact it was outright illegal). Even now there is a segment of society that is quite vocal that we should return to those days.
This play certainly does explore the nature of love, and also of how society shapes how we love, and how we chose our partners. In this instance, the Amazons are fighting against the Greeks not because they see the Greeks as enemies, but because they see the Greek men as being potential suitors, but the only way that they can claim a suitor is to defeat them in combat. Interestingly, we see Achilles break the social norm of the Greeks by actually going into combat intending on losing. This is certainly something that a warrior, and a warrior like Achilles, would necessarily do. The other interesting thing is that Kleist switches the story around from the way the original Greek set it up. In this instance, the Amazon Queen kills Achilles, but in the legend Achilles kills the Amazon Queen, and then falls in love with her.
April 18, 2024
Woman loves man but gets confused and eats him
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2012
Heinrich von Kleist é, por norma, arrumado na história da literatura ora entre o classicismo e o romantismo, ora como um romântico. Teve de certa maneira uma educação intelectual fundada no Iluminismo (Aufklärung), o movimento que advogou a preponderância de uma razão emancipada sobre a tradição, o sentimento e o preconceito. Se há, contudo, uma coisa que sai absolutamente derrotada na tragédia Pentesileia é a razão e a sua astúcia. O tema da astúcia da razão está presente na filosofia de Kant, essa figura maior da Aufklärung. Para Kant, os indivíduos ao perseguirem os seus interesses privados acabam por realizar algo que os ultrapassa e que não têm em vista. No cerne de Pentesileia e do seu desfecho trágico encontra-se a impotência da razão astuciosa para fazer vencer o amor.
Continuar a ler em : http://kyrieeleison-jcm.blogspot.pt/2...
Continuar a ler em : http://kyrieeleison-jcm.blogspot.pt/2...
December 28, 2013
Arguably the best German drama ever written -- although, as in Goethe's famous remark, not written for a stage (or at least not the 19th century stage). Kleist is all but unknown in the English speaking world outside of academia, which is a shame--this is perhaps the result of lacking or lackluster translations, although Kleist isn't exactly easy to read in German either. The "Five Plays" edition from Martin Greenberg is very good.
August 4, 2011
wow! heftig! das stück reißt einen mit unglaublicher wucht mit. wie penthesilea am schluss achill im wahn in stücke reißt... schon verständlich, dass goethe mit dieser brutalität nichts anfangen konnte.
April 20, 2013
Die ursprünliche Penthesilea aus der Odyssee ist bereits super, Kleist erzählt einen alternativen Verlauf der Geschichte, auch das ist nicht schlecht. Leider sehr anstrengend. Mensch Kleist, deine Novellen sind so exzellent, warum machst du es uns mit deinen Dramen so schwer?
August 10, 2025
7/10
ein theaterstück, das nicht zur aufführung gedacht war. kleist selbst hielt es für uninszenierbar. wie bezeichnet man dieses seiner form widersprechende textgespinst?
in jedem fall merkt man ihm seine probleme mit der form an, oft wird nicht direkt miteinander, sondern über die handlungen von figuren gesprochen, alle schlachtszenen werden nicht von teilnehmenden kommuniziert, sondern größtenteils teichoskopisch von peripheren figuren dargeboten. der erste teil der tragödie ist misslungen, zu hektisch wird von einem getümmel zum nächsten übergegangen, kleists sprache verkommt zur reinen informationsträgerin, mühsam vom blankvers gebändigt. erst gegen ende, wenn die rasend-verzweifelt liebenden penthesilea und achilles in den vordergrund drängen, wird auch die sprache wieder lebendig: sie versucht, unbeschreibbare liebe und unbeschreibbare gräuel zu fassen, erschafft sogar eine tödliche waffe. zum thema liebe in "penthesilea" hat navid kermani schon alles gesagt, man findet seine rede zum kleist-preis 2012 als pdf im netz. aber daneben stehen zudem konflikte zwischen verantwortung gegenüber dem staat oder gefolgsleuten und der eigenen leidenschaft, zärtlichkeit und gewalttätigkeit, bei-sich und außer-sich-sein...
ab szene 15 ist das drama unglaublich reich und beeindruckend, leider bleibt der beginn ein vehikel, um dorthin zu gelangen.
ein theaterstück, das nicht zur aufführung gedacht war. kleist selbst hielt es für uninszenierbar. wie bezeichnet man dieses seiner form widersprechende textgespinst?
in jedem fall merkt man ihm seine probleme mit der form an, oft wird nicht direkt miteinander, sondern über die handlungen von figuren gesprochen, alle schlachtszenen werden nicht von teilnehmenden kommuniziert, sondern größtenteils teichoskopisch von peripheren figuren dargeboten. der erste teil der tragödie ist misslungen, zu hektisch wird von einem getümmel zum nächsten übergegangen, kleists sprache verkommt zur reinen informationsträgerin, mühsam vom blankvers gebändigt. erst gegen ende, wenn die rasend-verzweifelt liebenden penthesilea und achilles in den vordergrund drängen, wird auch die sprache wieder lebendig: sie versucht, unbeschreibbare liebe und unbeschreibbare gräuel zu fassen, erschafft sogar eine tödliche waffe. zum thema liebe in "penthesilea" hat navid kermani schon alles gesagt, man findet seine rede zum kleist-preis 2012 als pdf im netz. aber daneben stehen zudem konflikte zwischen verantwortung gegenüber dem staat oder gefolgsleuten und der eigenen leidenschaft, zärtlichkeit und gewalttätigkeit, bei-sich und außer-sich-sein...
ab szene 15 ist das drama unglaublich reich und beeindruckend, leider bleibt der beginn ein vehikel, um dorthin zu gelangen.
April 20, 2025
On a jamais autant eu recours à l’hypotypose et c pour la bonne cause car le livre a eu un effet : jamais aucun autre n’a eu le même sur moi (à savoir douleur physique, éreintement et assourdissement)
La préface de gracq dit tout ce qu’il faut (la lire en postface après avoir été là « où la terre communie et sur laquelle descendent naturellement les ténèbres — immense coucher de soleil sanglant » puisqu’on en prend toute la mesure et comprend eidétiquement le sens véritable du texte de gracq)
La préface de gracq dit tout ce qu’il faut (la lire en postface après avoir été là « où la terre communie et sur laquelle descendent naturellement les ténèbres — immense coucher de soleil sanglant » puisqu’on en prend toute la mesure et comprend eidétiquement le sens véritable du texte de gracq)
January 20, 2024
die geschichte der unanhängigen amazonenkönigin penthesilea, die doch der liebe das knie beugt und somit mit dem tod bezahlt.
unglaublich sensible verstrickung von gewalt und lust, wahnsinnig fesselnd geschrieben.
unglaublich sensible verstrickung von gewalt und lust, wahnsinnig fesselnd geschrieben.
July 23, 2024
The original 'cannibalism as metaphor for love and devotion'.
'So war es ein Versehen. Küsse, Bisse, Das reimt sich, und wer recht von Herzen liebt, Kann schon das Eine für das Andre greifen'
'So war es ein Versehen. Küsse, Bisse, Das reimt sich, und wer recht von Herzen liebt, Kann schon das Eine für das Andre greifen'
December 31, 2017
Based on the figure from Greek mythology, Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, Kleist wrote this tragedy in 1808. It was long considered (among others by Goethe) as unplayable. It wasn't performed until 65 years after Kleist's death, in 1876.
February 3, 2025
“Io qui ti dono questo anello d’oro, con tutti i segni che ti proteggeranno; se tu lo mostrerai, ti indicheranno me. Ma un anello si perde, i nomi si dileguano! Se il nome dileguasse, se perdessi l’anello; la ritroveresti, la mia immagine, dentro di te? La sai pensare, tenendo gli occhi chiusi?”
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November 11, 2025welch ein antiklimatischer schluss
April 15, 2020
Penthesilea and her people attack the Greek to find her a husband, she falls for Achilles, he falls for her. They fight, people die. It's a good time. Feat. Achilles being a completely smitten idiot, roses, mythology, Penthesilea losing her fucking mind, her big sister as the voice of reason and dogs.
Usually I'm not a fan of tragedies. I am however a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope (and not the "misunderstanding in the office" type but actual hate, enemies till death, all that jazz). While this is not exactly that, it is pretty close and exactly what my heart needed if I'm honest.
Maybe I should start reading tragedies for fun.
Usually I'm not a fan of tragedies. I am however a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope (and not the "misunderstanding in the office" type but actual hate, enemies till death, all that jazz). While this is not exactly that, it is pretty close and exactly what my heart needed if I'm honest.
Maybe I should start reading tragedies for fun.
March 20, 2021
Ich mochte dieses Stück sehr! Es ist das erste Theaterstück, welches ich von Kleist gelesen habe, aber ich mochte auch seine Novellen, die isch im Gymi gelesen habe.
Das Stück handelt von der Amazonenkönigin Penthesilea und ihrer tragischen Liebesgeschichte zum Halbgott Achilles. Das Stück arbeitet viel mit Botenberichten und Teichoskopien, da vieles auf einem Schlachtfeld geschieht und sich nicht allzu gut auf eine Bühne transportieren lässt, aber trotzdem bleibt es relativ spannend. Penthesilea ist eine starke Frauenfigur, wie ich es mir nicht sonderlich gewohnt bin aus klassischen Stücken. Obwohl auch sie am Ende der Opfer der Umstände wird, mochte ich die Darstellung von ihr. Auch die Frauenfreundschaft zwischen Penthesilea und Prothoe hat es mir sehr angetan.
Ich hätte also nicht gedacht, dass ich Goethe einmal widersprechen würde, aber Kleist hat in seinem Stück sehr viel sehr richtig gemacht ;)
Das Stück handelt von der Amazonenkönigin Penthesilea und ihrer tragischen Liebesgeschichte zum Halbgott Achilles. Das Stück arbeitet viel mit Botenberichten und Teichoskopien, da vieles auf einem Schlachtfeld geschieht und sich nicht allzu gut auf eine Bühne transportieren lässt, aber trotzdem bleibt es relativ spannend. Penthesilea ist eine starke Frauenfigur, wie ich es mir nicht sonderlich gewohnt bin aus klassischen Stücken. Obwohl auch sie am Ende der Opfer der Umstände wird, mochte ich die Darstellung von ihr. Auch die Frauenfreundschaft zwischen Penthesilea und Prothoe hat es mir sehr angetan.
Ich hätte also nicht gedacht, dass ich Goethe einmal widersprechen würde, aber Kleist hat in seinem Stück sehr viel sehr richtig gemacht ;)
May 1, 2020
Der Herold.
Sie stellt sich, ja, Neridensohn, sie naht schon;
Jedoch mit Hunden auch und Elephanten,
Und einem ganzen wilden Reutertroß:
Was die beim Zweikampf sollen, weiß ich nicht. (...)
Achilles. (in den Bart)
Die fressen aus der Hand, wahrscheinlich – Folgt mir!
– O! Die sind zahm, wie sie.
Ein sehr sehr cooles, poetisches, und mitreißendes Stück! Zwei Fragen habe ich noch: Was ist mit der auffälligen Fuß-Bildsprache? Und wo ist die Prothoe x Penthesilea fan art? Ich habe das ganze Internet durchsucht und nichts gefunden... Dabei ist ihre Beziehung doch gefundenes Fressen (no pun intended) für die WLW community? Künstlerisch begabte Menschen: schließt die Marktlücke! ❤️
Sie stellt sich, ja, Neridensohn, sie naht schon;
Jedoch mit Hunden auch und Elephanten,
Und einem ganzen wilden Reutertroß:
Was die beim Zweikampf sollen, weiß ich nicht. (...)
Achilles. (in den Bart)
Die fressen aus der Hand, wahrscheinlich – Folgt mir!
– O! Die sind zahm, wie sie.
Ein sehr sehr cooles, poetisches, und mitreißendes Stück! Zwei Fragen habe ich noch: Was ist mit der auffälligen Fuß-Bildsprache? Und wo ist die Prothoe x Penthesilea fan art? Ich habe das ganze Internet durchsucht und nichts gefunden... Dabei ist ihre Beziehung doch gefundenes Fressen (no pun intended) für die WLW community? Künstlerisch begabte Menschen: schließt die Marktlücke! ❤️
January 6, 2026
This was one of the first German classics I read that I would say I actually enjoyed (mostly due to the last fifth of the book). The beginning is slow, and being in German, I definetly didn't get most of it (it also felt a little unnecessary?). But, once the action starts building and we start getting a back and forth between the characters, I definetly go more into it. I didn't exactly get how the romance started, but I liked it. And the ending, it was just like so fun (?). Like, I wasn't expecting it, and I think the scene was written very welly, like I was totally engrossed in the play. The imagery of it was great, and the figurative language fit so well.
Also, I'd just watched a video essay on cannibalism in literture, and it was so intersting how well it fit together with that video. Like I'm so excited that I read this for uni, but it still aligned with like that really interesting video I watched.
I must say though, many parts drag on, especially with long monologues from characters. This happens a lot, especially since large parts of the story, including the ending that I am raving about, happen through the dialogue of other charcters. It feels an odd choice for a play, and I'm not sure how exactly it would look in an actual performance of it, but it worked well in some scenes, depending. So yeah, I don't know about all the parts, but I'm all for the shock factor.
Also, I'd just watched a video essay on cannibalism in literture, and it was so intersting how well it fit together with that video. Like I'm so excited that I read this for uni, but it still aligned with like that really interesting video I watched.
I must say though, many parts drag on, especially with long monologues from characters. This happens a lot, especially since large parts of the story, including the ending that I am raving about, happen through the dialogue of other charcters. It feels an odd choice for a play, and I'm not sure how exactly it would look in an actual performance of it, but it worked well in some scenes, depending. So yeah, I don't know about all the parts, but I'm all for the shock factor.
October 9, 2024
📚 Pentesilea è un libro che ho avuto modo di leggere per un esame universitario di tedesco durante la triennale. Sicuramente un’emblema del teatro romantico tedesco.
💐 Pentesilea è la regina delle Amazzoni. È protagonista di quest’opera insieme ad Achille, guerriero acheo. I due si affrontano in battaglia sulla pianura di Troia fino all’ultimo sangue. La bellezza di quest’opera risiede nel fatto che dietro la barbarità della guerra si cela una profonda sensualità e un eros crescente che travolge entrambi, Pentesilea in particolar modo. Un odi et amo che li separa e unisce, che rende la loro storia tremendamente angosciante seppur affascinante. La vicenda si conclude in maniera tragica e truculenta: Pentesilea assume i tratti di un guerriero, si pone al di sopra di uomo con la forza e questo ai tempi di Kleist era da considerarsi un’offesa pubblica e un oltraggio alla decenza. Eppure Kleist ha osato, Pentesilea è furiosa e passionale, vive con l’ardore tipico delle Amazzoni che incanta e trae in inganno, quasi al pari di una sirena.
❣️ Ne consiglio la lettura. È molto scorrevole e la versione che ho io ha il testo tedesco da un lato e quello italiano dall’altro (in tedesco, però, è tutta un’altra storia ❤️). A me il dramma piace particolarmente, poi se è legato al mito non ne parliamo proprio... 😍
-Come Ariel.
💐 Pentesilea è la regina delle Amazzoni. È protagonista di quest’opera insieme ad Achille, guerriero acheo. I due si affrontano in battaglia sulla pianura di Troia fino all’ultimo sangue. La bellezza di quest’opera risiede nel fatto che dietro la barbarità della guerra si cela una profonda sensualità e un eros crescente che travolge entrambi, Pentesilea in particolar modo. Un odi et amo che li separa e unisce, che rende la loro storia tremendamente angosciante seppur affascinante. La vicenda si conclude in maniera tragica e truculenta: Pentesilea assume i tratti di un guerriero, si pone al di sopra di uomo con la forza e questo ai tempi di Kleist era da considerarsi un’offesa pubblica e un oltraggio alla decenza. Eppure Kleist ha osato, Pentesilea è furiosa e passionale, vive con l’ardore tipico delle Amazzoni che incanta e trae in inganno, quasi al pari di una sirena.
❣️ Ne consiglio la lettura. È molto scorrevole e la versione che ho io ha il testo tedesco da un lato e quello italiano dall’altro (in tedesco, però, è tutta un’altra storia ❤️). A me il dramma piace particolarmente, poi se è legato al mito non ne parliamo proprio... 😍
-Come Ariel.
June 11, 2025
Die Amazonenkönigin Penthesilea begegnet in einer Schlacht in der Nähe des Trojanischen Kriegs den griechischen Helden Achilles und verliebt sich auf den ersten Blick in ihn - was ihm ebenso geht. Da sie sich als Gegner treffen, äußert sich ihre aufwallende Leidenschaft zunächst im Kampf, allerdings gelingt es beiden nicht, den jeweils anderen wirklich zu schädigen, und so gestehen sie sich ihre Gefühle für einander ein und beschließen, sich ein Eheversprechen zu leisten. Direkt damit wallt aber der nächste Konflikt auf, denn beide wollen den jeweils anderen als "Eroberung" mit nach Hause bringen. Penthesilea gerät darüber so in Zorn und Verwirrung, dass sie, als ihre Amazonenschwestern sie von Achilles trennen, dessen Boten missversteht: er fordert Penthesilea zwar im Namen seines Herrn zum Zweikampf, doch hat Achilles vor, ihr den Gefallen zu tun, sich besiegen zu lassen, damit sie ihn offiziell als "Beute" mitbringen kann. Blind vor geistiger Umnachtung fällt Penthesilea mit allem, was sie zur Verfügung hat über den relativ arglosen Achilles her und schlachtet ihn. Als ihr hinterher bewusst wird, was sie getan hat, nimmt sie sich das Leben.
***
Wunderschön! Das Stück ist zwar aufgrund der extrem verwurschtelten Sätze ziemlich anspruchsvoll zu lesen, es wird aber in keiner Sekunde langweilig oder wirr. Ich habe mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt.
***
Wunderschön! Das Stück ist zwar aufgrund der extrem verwurschtelten Sätze ziemlich anspruchsvoll zu lesen, es wird aber in keiner Sekunde langweilig oder wirr. Ich habe mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
Grandioses Werk, das zu unrecht in seiner Zeit kritisiert wurde.
Den Metaphernreichtum kombiniert mit der Ekphrasis trotz Teichoskopie im hypotaktischen Stil, wie bei ihm ja immer, macht Kleist in der Literatur zu einem Unikat. Wohl der grösste Sprachkünstler jemals - und viel zu früh verschieden.
In der Penthesilea ist das Spiel mit Teichoskopien einzigartig, sodass das Drama wie ein Mantel wirkt, der um eine Erzählung gehängt wurde. Der Schluss kann wohl nicht besser konstruiert sein, indem doch Gottscheds Schauder und Lessings Mitleid ineinander perfekt aufgehen.
Die Schlussmetapher von der lebenden Eiche, den der Wind entreisst, und dem toten Baum, der weiter steht - einfach schön.
Auch schön: „des Schicksals eh‘rne Zunge“ :)
Den Metaphernreichtum kombiniert mit der Ekphrasis trotz Teichoskopie im hypotaktischen Stil, wie bei ihm ja immer, macht Kleist in der Literatur zu einem Unikat. Wohl der grösste Sprachkünstler jemals - und viel zu früh verschieden.
In der Penthesilea ist das Spiel mit Teichoskopien einzigartig, sodass das Drama wie ein Mantel wirkt, der um eine Erzählung gehängt wurde. Der Schluss kann wohl nicht besser konstruiert sein, indem doch Gottscheds Schauder und Lessings Mitleid ineinander perfekt aufgehen.
Die Schlussmetapher von der lebenden Eiche, den der Wind entreisst, und dem toten Baum, der weiter steht - einfach schön.
Auch schön: „des Schicksals eh‘rne Zunge“ :)
May 12, 2020
An excellent translation of the Greek tale of the meeting of the Queen of the Amazons and Achilles. Greek drama is powerful if taken a little in context. Narrative description of action was as powerful to the ancient audience as our movies are to us today. (Shakespeare's play are filled with similar narratives.)
This edition has wonderful pictures by Maurice Sendak.
This edition has wonderful pictures by Maurice Sendak.
March 28, 2025
I think this is one of the first plays where the tragedy within the story absolute broke me. Writing and narration wise the play was not a stand out in comparison to other films. Nonetheless the irony and narrative style were incredibly effective in conveying pain and suffering.
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