Die verschiedenen Gesichter von Christian Morgenstern: Einige Bemerkungen zu seinem Schaffen und zur Rezeption seiner Werke

Abstract

Christian Morgenstern figures in literary history primarily as the author of the humorous-grotesque “Gallows Songs”. But his literary work includes melancholy poetry, subtle nature poems, mystical lyrics and amusing and rhythmic nursery rhymes, which are almost unknown to the reading public. This article therefore focusses on outlining briefly the differing forms and areas of Morgenstern’s writings in order to provide an overview of the rich diversity of a work which, unfortunately, is gradually becoming forgotten. The article also contains a short account of the reception of Morgenstern’s work.

Keywords

• Christian Morgenstern
• poetry
• nature poems
• humour
• grotesque
• mysticism