Der blonde Eckbert / Der Runenberg

The Hamburger Lesehefte PLUS not only include the text and detailed explanations of words and concepts but also a comprehensive materials section, the Königs Materialien. This combination lays the foundation for independent, in-depth analysis and promotes a thorough understanding of the text—ideal for use in school lessons. This is what distinguishes our classics series: unabridged original text (carefully adapted to the new spelling), generous booklet format (DIN A5) in a modern design, reader-friendly text layout (line and page consistent with the Hamburger Lesehefte), wide margin with brief word explanations and space for personal notes, biography of the author (all important information summarized compactly), detailed annotation or word explanation section, extensive materials section (grouped by thematic areas), and a navigation bar for better orientation.

Content: These are two prime examples of the early Romantic period: Ludwig Tieck's fairy tales 'Der blonde Eckbert' (1797) and 'Der Runenberg' (1804). Unlike the folk tales of the Brothers Grimm, the hero does not find happiness but succumbs to his own demons. The landscape becomes a symbolic inner space, and the boundaries between dream and reality blur. Tieck's blonde Eckbert is a tormented man driven by paranoia, who, after hearing his wife Bertha's childhood story, kills his own friend and gradually descends into madness. A similar fate befalls the hunter Christian in 'Der Runenberg'. He leaves his family to chase after an illusion, an old forest woman.