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There are ancient and modern poems which breathe, in their…

“There are ancient and modern poems which breathe, in their entirety and in every detail, the divine breath of irony. In such poemsthere lives a real transcendental buffoonery. Their interior is permeated by the mood which surveys everything and rises infinitely above everything limited, even above…” quote by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
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“There are ancient and modern poems which breathe, in their entirety and in every detail, the divine breath of irony. In such poemsthere lives a real transcendental buffoonery. Their interior is permeated by the mood which surveys everything and rises infinitely above everything limited, even above the poet's own art, virtue, and genius; and their exterior form by the histrionic style of an ordinary good Italian buffo.”

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Poetry can embody divine irony, blending lofty transcendence with comic, ordinary expression.

In simple terms: Poems mix sacred irony with humor.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate layered meanings in art.

Themes

literature irony transcendence

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

literary critical

When to use this quote

  • reading classic poetry
  • creative writing
  • literary analysis
  • theatrical performance

Key Concepts

philosophy aesthetics buffoonery

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “divine breath of irony” suggest?
  • How does humor reveal truth?
A Different Perspective

Not all readers grasp the depth of irony.

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