3. Schiller—Relation to Goethe. Comparison of their styles. Readings from The Robbers, Wallenstein, Wilhelm Tell, Maria Stuart, Die Jungfrau von Orleans. Bohn's Library.
4. Later German Drama—Grillparzer. Paul Heise. Hauptmann: reading from The Sunken Bell. Sudermann: readings from Dame Care, and The Joy of Living. What was the effect of Ibsen on the German drama?
Books to Consult—Witkowski: German Drama of the Nineteenth Century. Huneker: Iconoclasts. Kuno Francke: German Ideals of To-day. Whitman: Teuton Studies.
Goethe has been called the idol of the German people, and the major part of this program may well be devoted to him. Carlyle's essay on Goethe is a famous piece of writing, and the life by Lewes is as interesting as a novel (see the Everyman's Library). Follow the third paper with a reading from J. G. Robertson's Schiller after a Century. A closing talk might point out the sentimental character of the early German dramas as contrasted with the realism of those of to-day. Reference should also be made to the symbolic plays.
V—FRENCH DRAMA
1. The Romantic Drama—Victor Hugo. The romantic revival in all European literature. Influence of Scott's novels. Story of Hugo's life. Early struggles. His first play; politics and exile. Characteristics of his style. Readings from Le Roi s'amuse, Hernani, and Ruy Blas.
2. Experiments in the Drama—Augier: Attempt to revive the classic drama: the story of Charlotte Corday, and reading from the play. Scribe: Improved construction of the play; reading from Valérie.
3. The Drama at Its Height—Dumas fils. Comparison of the father and the son in literature. The son's ambition to reform society through the stage. The first problem plays. Description of La Dame aux Camélias. Sardou: Versatility of subjects. Skilful construction of plot. Tendency to the sensational and the gruesome. Reading from Patric.
4. The Drama To-day—Becque: Theory of evolution applied to society; Les Corbeaux. Brieux: Satire, realism; Blanchette, Les Trois Filles de M. Dupont. Rostand: Romantic and literary; readings from Cyrano de Bergerac, L'Aiglon, and Chantecler. Bernstein: Relation of the modern Jew to the stage; politics and the drama in Paris; Le Voleur, Samson.
Books to Consult—A. Filon: The Modern French Drama. Brander Matthews: French Dramatists of the Nineteenth Century. Matthew Arnold: Essay on the French Play in London.