Citation

Schmiesing A. Germanisch-Romanische Monatsschrift 2003; 53(1): 41-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

This study analyzes Philotas as a play in which Lessing treats abdication both in its more common connotation of a ruler's relinquishing of the throne, as well as in the original Roman sense of a father's renunciation of his son. As is shown, Aridäus's decision to abdicate is only one of several related "abdications" in the play, which include Philotas's belief that he deserves to be renounced by his father; the suicide which functions as an abdication insofar as it prevents Philotas from ever acceding the throne; and Aridäus's initial determination not to rescue his son. By comparing Philotas with Jean de Rotrou's Venceslas (1647) and Marmontel's 1759 version of Venceslas - two plays which, like Philotas, link the abdication of the throne to a ruler's decision to save his son -, the study uses the theme of abdication to yield insight into Lessing's dismissal not only of martyrdom and obsessive patriotism, but also of Baroque views on accession and worthiness to rule.

Language: en