Heinrich von Ofterdingen
Heinrich von Ofterdingen, by Novalis
Novalis was one of the great German Romantics, but he died young in 1801, leaving this fragmentary novel behind him. This is the story of Heinrich, a legendary/fictional poet of the High German Middle Ages, who also appears in a few other places: ETA Hoffman has him in a story, and I gather he appears in Tannhäuser.
Heinrich, an idealistic young man, hasn't figured out what he wants to be, but he has had a vision of a Blue Flower, which seems to embody everything that is most desirable and unattainable, Now he is traveling with his mother to Augsberg, from the cold and austere north to the fruitful and friendly south. As he goes, he meets various people who educate him about aspects of the world. Merchants tell him about commerce and recite tales to make the weary miles shorter. At an inn, an old miner beguiles everyone with his paean to mining, which is a wonderful occupation (Novalis thought of becoming a mining engineer). This man leads an expedition to explore nearby caves, where they meet a hermit who was once a soldier. He describes the joys of the military life, but Heinrich is enchanted with his collection of books, in one of which he seems to see his own future. After this, they get to Augsberg, and meet the great court poet (Minnesanger) and his daughter, Matilda. Heinrich and Matilda are almost immediately married, and she shows him the wonderful mysteries of the world. The poet recites an incredibly long fairy tale which, I'm sure, has great meaning. Heinrich looks to be set upone the road to happiness, fulfillment, and poetry, as he will study under the greatest poet in the land.
Part II promptly opens with Heinrich poor, desolate, and alone, Matilda having died. He has a vision of her, which directs him to a young girl who leads him to a man just like the old miner, who enters a dialogue with him about poesy. Here the novel breaks off, but a friend describes the planned course of action, which would have taken Heinrich all through the world and been at least three times longer than what exists.
as you see in European grain fields) became well known as a symbol of sehnsucht and inspiration. In the UK, George MacDonald and C. S. Lewis, among many others, thought Novalis was wonderful.
Unfortunately, unpoetic being that I am, I had a hard time getting into this one. I can see why other people liked it, but I'm just not built that way myself. It was certainly an interesting exercise and dive into German Romanticism, though, so well worth the time.
I liked this ok myself, but if you don't already know it (which you probably do...) Penelope Fitzgerald's novel about Novalis--The Blue Flower--is wonderful.
ReplyDelete