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Heine's Aristophanes complex and the ambivalence of Deutschland: Ein Wintermarchen.(Critical Essay)

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From: The Modern Language Review
Date: 20040701
Author:Pugh, David

This article re-examines the 'new song' from Canto 1 of Deutschland: Ein Wintermarchen in the light of the reference to Aristophanes' Birds in Canto 27. From here it explores a series of statements by Heine in which he proposes that this play holds ah esoteric meaning for him concerning humankind's foolish propensity to usurp the place of the gods. Ah 'Aristophanes complex' comes to light according to which Heine associates himself variously with Peisetaerus (the hero of The Birds), with Aristophanes, and with God himself. The identification of this complex renders problematical ...

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