Geniegedanke bei E.T.A. Hoffmann : Platonisches und Neuplatonisches in Werken Hoffmanns

Abstract

As a latecomer to the Romantic Movement, Hoffmann viewed art as a force drawn from within. He based his understanding of the artist on the Platonic reasoning about original and imitated art, which Plato correlated with his theories about the perfect World of Ideas. According to Hoffmann, a genius seeks beauty and knowledge as laid down by Neoplatonism, and has inner visions of the ideal world which is his inspiration. Such an especially sensible person, who is being called upon to remember his original, pre-existent state in the World of Ideas will, through this path of realization, be recognized as a true artist and genius. Constantly striving for the Neoplatonic Ideal, the earthly world becomes a place in which he no longer feels at home, and he seeks to be in the aspired ideal world which for Hoffmann is ultimately found in the inner self.