"Glove". Schiller. Ballad analysis

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The famous German poet Johann Friedrich Schiller mainly wrote ballads based on legendary or mythological plots - they give his works brightness and originality. The poem "Glove" was no exception. Schiller described the era of brave, strong knights and beautiful ladies, and although these times are long gone, the themes of the German writer's works are still relevant and interesting for readers.

All ballads of the poet are filled with a special drama that hides deep knowledge. The heroes in them must constantly prove to society their courage and devotion to their homeland, show nobility, courage, fearlessness and selflessness. In many of Schiller's works, there is a similarity with the works of Shakespeare, the great English playwright. It is safe to say that Friedrich became his faithful follower.

BSchiller laid the basis for the ballad "The Glove" on a real historical fact. The plot takes us to the time of knights and court ladies. It may seem rather banal and unremarkable, but the author managed to show the real deep meaning of the work, made the reader think about the situation, find out who is right and who is wrong. The events that took place at the court of the French king in the 15th century are described in his ballad by Schiller - “The Glove”.

Summary of the work can be divided into several scenes. Initially, the king and nobles gathered for a performance to watch the fight between wild animals. The first to be released into the arena was a huge lion, which soon lay down on the sidelines. Then a brave tiger came out, but, seeing a stronger opponent, he did not get into trouble. Two leopards that ran after them attacked the striped animal, but the lion's formidable roar forced them to step aside. But she wanted to continue the bloody spectacle … Creating the ballad "Glove", Schiller wanted to emphasize human cruelty and heartlessness.

Among the spectators shone the young beauty Kinigunda, who wished to test the sincerity of the feelings of the knight Delorge for her, and at the same time to have fun. The lady deliberately threw her glove into the arena, which fell right between the predators. Kinigunda turns to the knight with an innocent request to bring the dropped thing and thereby prove his devotion. Delorge understands that the beauty did it on purpose, but she cannot refuse the request, because refusal will undermine his reputation. AtWith the help of the ballad "The Glove" Schiller wanted to draw the reader's attention to how valuable human life is.

The animals did not touch Delorge - he brought the glove to his lady, but he did not want her praises and confessions, because he realized that Kinigund did not love him and did not appreciate his actions. Moreover, the glove flew into the arrogant beauty's face.

The main meaning of the work - nothing can be more valuable than a human life, and it's stupid to risk it for the whim of a spoiled girl. Despite the fact that so much time has passed, the ballad still attracts attention and makes you think about the meaning - the eternal work was created by Schiller … The glove (Zhukovsky's translation is most accurate and understandable for the reader) as a symbolic detail - the embodiment of someone else's will, meaningless proofs of feelings… Reading a ballad, one involuntarily thinks about the true value of love and life.