Friedrich Heinrich Karl de la Motte, Baron Fouqué (); (12 February 1777 – 23 January 1843) was a German writer of the Romantic style.

Biography

He was born at

Brandenburg an der Havel Brandenburg an der Havel () is a town in Brandenburg, Germany, which served as the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg until it was replaced by Berlin in 1417. With a population of 72,040 (as of 2020), it is located on the banks of the H ...

, of a family of French

Huguenot The Huguenots ( , also , ) were a religious group of French Protestants who held to the Reformed, or Calvinist, tradition of Protestantism. The term, which may be derived from the name of a Swiss political leader, the Genevan burgomaster Be ...

origin, as evidenced in his family name. His grandfather,

Heinrich August de la Motte Fouqué Ernst Heinrich August de la Motte Fouqué (4 February 1698 – 3 May 1774) was a Prussian Lieutenant general and General der Infanterie and a confidant of King Frederick the Great. Fouqué held the title of ''Freiherr'' (baron). Early life Born i ...

, had been one of

Frederick the Great Frederick II (german: Friedrich II.; 24 January 171217 August 1786) was King in Prussia from 1740 until 1772, and King of Prussia from 1772 until his death in 1786. His most significant accomplishments include his military successes in the Sil ...

's generals and his father was a

Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an em ...

n officer. Although not originally intended for a military career, Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué ultimately gave up his university studies at Halle to join the army, and he took part in the Rhine campaign of 1794. The rest of his life was devoted mainly to literary pursuits. He was introduced to

August Wilhelm Schlegel August Wilhelm (after 1812: von) Schlegel (; 8 September 176712 May 1845), usually cited as August Schlegel, was a German poet, translator and critic, and with his brother Friedrich Schlegel the leading influence within Jena Romanticism. His trans ...

, who deeply influenced him as a poet ("mich gelehret Maß und Regel , Meister August Wilhelm Schlegel") and who published Fouqué's first book, ''Dramatische Spiele von Pellegrin'', in 1804.

Marriage

Fouqué's first marriage was unhappy and soon ended in divorce. His second wife, Caroline Philippine von Briest (1773–1831), enjoyed some reputation as a novelist in her day. After her death Fouqué married a third time. Some consolation for the ebbing tide of popular favour was afforded him by the munificence of

Frederick William IV of Prussia Frederick William IV (german: Friedrich Wilhelm IV.; 15 October 17952 January 1861), the eldest son and successor of Frederick William III of Prussia, reigned as King of Prussia from 7 June 1840 to his death on 2 January 1861. Also referred to ...

, who granted him a pension which allowed him to spend his later years in comfort. He died in Berlin in 1843. For Fouqué's life see ''Lebensgeschichte des Baron Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué (only to the year 1813), Aufgezeichnet durch ihn selbst'' (Halle, 1840), and also the introduction to Koch's selections in the ''Deutsche Nationalliteratur''.

Literary work

Memorial plaque to Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué in Meissen

Romantic roots

De la Motte Fouqué - DPLA - 410cb4d5b8316cefafaeb44c5fd08aab (page 1)

After ''Dramatische Spiele von Pellegrin'', his second work, ''Romanzen vom Tal Ronceval'' (1805), showed more plainly his allegiance to the romantic leaders, and in the ''Historie vom edlen Ritter Galmy'' (1806) he versified a 16th-century romance of

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the Post-classical, post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with t ...

chivalry Chivalry, or the chivalric code, is an informal and varying code of conduct developed in Europe between 1170 and 1220. It was associated with the medieval Christianity, Christian institution of knighthood; knights' and gentlemen's behaviours we ...

. ''Sigurd der Schlangentödter, ein Heldenspiel in sechs Abentheuren'' (1808), was the first modern German dramatization of the

Nibelung The term Nibelung (German) or Niflungr (Old Norse) is a personal or clan name with several competing and contradictory uses in Germanic heroic legend. It has an unclear etymology, but is often connected to the root ''nebel'', meaning mist. The te ...

legend combining Icelandic sources such as the Volsunga Saga and the Middle High German

Nibelungenlied The ( gmh, Der Nibelunge liet or ), translated as ''The Song of the Nibelungs'', is an epic poetry, epic poem written around 1200 in Middle High German. Its anonymous poet was likely from the region of Passau. The is based on an oral tradition ...

. The play and its two sequels ''Sigurds Rache'' (1809) and ''Aslaugas Ritter'' (1810) were published together under the title ''Der Held des Nordens'' in 1810 The Hero of the North" The trilogy brought Fouqué to the attention of the public, and had a considerable influence on subsequent versions of the story, such as

Friedrich Hebbel Christian Friedrich Hebbel (18 March 1813 – 13 December 1863) was a German poet and dramatist. Biography Hebbel was born at Wesselburen in Dithmarschen, Holstein, the son of a bricklayer. He was educated at the ''Gelehrtenschule des Johanneu ...

's ''Nibelungen'' and

Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most op ...

's ''

Der Ring des Nibelungen (''The Ring of the Nibelung''), WWV 86, is a cycle of four German-language epic music dramas composed by Richard Wagner. The works are based loosely on characters from Germanic heroic legend, namely Norse legendary sagas and the '' Nibe ...

''.One source for some information in this paragraph gives year 1810 for both sequels. " later added ''Sigurd's Rache'' (1810) and ''Aslaugas Ritter'' (1810; trans as "Aslauga's Knights" in ''German Romance'' ed Thomas Carlyle anth 1827 UK), the three forming the trilogy ''Der Held des Nordens'' The Hero of the North" which hugely influenced Richard Wagner."
Mike Ashley
"Fouqué, Friedrich, Baron de la Motte"
''

Encyclopedia of Fantasy ''The Encyclopedia of Fantasy'' is a 1997 reference work concerning fantasy fiction, edited by John Clute and John Grant. Other contributors include Mike Ashley, Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, David Langford, Sam J. Lundwall, Michael Scot ...

'' (1997). Online edition not updated (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php). Retrieved 2019-08-04. These early writings indicate the lines which Fouqué's subsequent literary activity followed; his interests were divided between medieval chivalry on the one hand and northern mythology on the other. In 1813, the year of the rising against

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

, he again fought with the Prussian army, and the new patriotism awakened in the German people left its mark upon his writings.

Popular works

Between 1810 and 1815, Fouqué's popularity was at its height; the many romances and novels, plays and epics which he produced with extraordinary rapidity, appealed greatly to the mood of the hour. ''

Undine Undines (; also ondines) are a category of elemental beings associated with water, stemming from the alchemical writings of Paracelsus. Later writers developed the undine into a water nymph in its own right, and it continues to live in modern li ...

'' appeared around 1811, the only work by which Fouqué's memory still lives today. A more comprehensive idea of his talent may, however, be obtained from the two romances ''Der Zauberring'' (1813) and ''Die Fahrten Thiodolfs des Isländers'' (1815).

Later years

From 1820 onwards the quality of Fouqué's work deteriorated, partly owing to the fatal formal ease with which he wrote, and he failed to keep pace with the changes in German taste by clinging to the paraphernalia of romanticism. His rivals applied a sobriquet of "

Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Wester ...

of Romanticism" to him.

Translations

Most of Fouqué's works have been translated.

Menella Bute Smedley Menella Bute Smedley (1820–1877) was a novelist and poet. A relative of Lewis Carroll, she wrote some minor novels and books of poems, including the anonymous, ''The Story of Queen Isabel, and Other Verses'', 1863. She translated the old German ...

, for instance, translated his ballad, "

The Shepherd of the Giant Mountains The Shepherd of the Giant Mountains (german: Der Hirt des Riesengebürgs) is a German ballad by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué which was translated into English by Menella Bute Smedley in 1846.Martin Gardner, ''The Annotated Alice''. New York: Nor ...

." The English versions of ''Aslauga's Knight'' (by

Thomas Carlyle Thomas Carlyle (4 December 17955 February 1881) was a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher. A leading writer of the Victorian era, he exerted a profound influence on 19th-century art, literature and philosophy. Born in Ecclefechan, Dum ...

), '' Sintram and his Companions'' and ''Undine'' have been frequently republished. A number of his short stories were translated in ''

Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations ''Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations'' is an anthology of translated German stories in three volumes, published in 1823. Publication The book was announced as being prepared for publication in January and February 1823. All thre ...

'' (1823).

Influence

Fouqué's play ''Der Sängerkrieg auf der Wartburg'' (The Song Contest on the Wartburg) is likely one of the sources for

Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most op ...

's ''

Tannhäuser Tannhäuser (; gmh, Tanhûser), often stylized, "The Tannhäuser," was a German Minnesinger and traveling poet. Historically, his biography, including the dates he lived, is obscure beyond the poetry, which suggests he lived between 1245 and 1 ...

''.

Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as treat ...

was not impressed by it, remarking to

Eckermann Johann Peter Eckermann (21 September 1792 – 3 December 1854), German poet and author, is best known for his work ''Conversations with Goethe'', the fruit of his association with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during the last years of Goethe's life. ...

: "We both agreed that all his life this poet had engaged in old Germanic studies, however without being able to develop this into a culture of his own making.""Johann Peter Eckerman: Gespräche mit Goethe in den letzten Jahren seines Lebens"
3 October 1828. The original full quote is: "Ich sprach diesen Mittag bei Tisch mit Goethe über Fouqués ›Sängerkrieg auf der Wartburg‹, den ich auf seinen Wunsch gelesen. Wir kamen darin überein, daß dieser Dichter sich zeitlebens mit altdeutschen Studien beschäftiget, und daß am Ende keine Kultur für ihn daraus hervorgegangen."
Project Gutenberg-DE (gutenberg.spiegel.de). Retrieved 2019-08-04.

Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson (born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson; 13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as ''Treasure Island'', ''Strange Case of Dr Jekyll a ...

admired Fouqué's story "The Bottle Imp" and wrote his own version (''

The Bottle Imp "The Bottle Imp" is an 1891 short story by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson usually found in the short story collection ''Island Nights' Entertainments''. It was first published in the '' New York Herald'' (February–March 1891) and ...

'') with a Hawaiian setting. Mike Ashley, "Fouqué, Friedrich (Heinrich Karl),(Baron) de la Motte" in ''St. James Guide To Fantasy Writers'', edited by

David Pringle David Pringle (born 1 March 1950) is a Scottish science fiction editor and critic. Pringle served as the editor of ''Foundation'', an academic journal, from 1980 to 1986, during which time he became one of the prime movers of the collective whic ...

. St. James Press, 1996, (pp. 654-55) .

John Henry Newman John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was an English theologian, academic, intellectual, philosopher, polymath, historian, writer, scholar and poet, first as an Anglican ministry, Anglican priest and later as a Catholi ...

and

Charlotte Mary Yonge Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823–1901) was an English novelist, who wrote in the service of the church. Her abundant books helped to spread the influence of the Oxford Movement and show her keen interest in matters of public health and sanitation. ...

both praised ''Sintram and his Companions''.

William Morris William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was a British textile designer, poet, artist, novelist, architectural conservationist, printer, translator and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement. He ...

also became an admirer of ''Sintram and his Companions'', and it influenced Morris' own fiction. ''Sintram and his Companions'' and ''Undine'' are referred to in ''

Little Women ''Little Women'' is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888). Alcott wrote the book, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives ...

'' by

Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known as the author of the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Little Men'' (1871) and ''Jo's Boys'' (1886). Raised in ...

; the character Jo mentions wanting them for Christmas in the first chapter of the book and finally receives them in chapter 22. ''Aslauga's Knight'' as well as ''Sintram and his Companions'' and ''Undine'' are referred to in ''Jo's Boys'', the final book in Alcott's ''Little Women'' series, where the story of ''Aslauga's Knight'' mirrors the character Dan and his affection for gentle Bess. ''Undine'' is the basis, along with Hans Anderson's ''

Little Mermaid "The Little Mermaid" ( da, Den lille havfrue) is a literary fairy tale written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The story follows the journey of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid to gain a h ...

'', for Dvořák's opera ''

Rusalka In Slavic folklore, the rusalka (plural: rusalky/rusalki; ; pl, rusałka}) is a typically feminine entity, often malicious toward mankind and frequently associated with water, with counterparts in other parts of Europe, such as the French Melus ...

''.

References

Bibliography

* *''Ausgewählte Werke'', edited by himself, in 12 vols. (Berlin, 1841) *A selection, edited by

M. Koch ( ; ; pl. ; ; 1512, from Middle French , literally "my lord") is an honorific title that was used to refer to or address the eldest living brother of the king in the French royal court. It has now become the customary French title of resp ...

, in Kürschner's ''Deutsche Nationalliteratur'', vol. 146, part ii. (Stuttgart, 1893) *''

'', ''Sintram'', etc., in innumerable reprints. *Bibliography in

Karl Goedeke Karl Friedrich Ludwig Goedeke (15 April 1814 – 28 October 1887) was a German historian of literature, an author, and a professor. He was born at Celle and was educated at Göttingen (1833-1838), where he attended lectures by Jacob Grimm, with w ...

's ''Grundriss zur Geschichte der deutschen Dichtung'' (2nd ed., vi. pp. 115 ff., Dresden, 1898). *''Undine'', trans. Paul Turner. ''German Romantic Stories''. Ed. Frank G. Ryder. New York: Continuum, 1998. (The German Library, vol. 35). 15–90. *''Fouqué und einige seiner Zeitgenossen'',

Arno Schmidt Arno Schmidt (; 18 January 1914 – 3 June 1979) was a German author and translator. He is little known outside of German-speaking areas, in part because his works present a formidable challenge to translators. Although he is not one of the p ...

(Bläschke 1958; 2nd Revised Edition 1960), also in the Bargfelder Edition, Volume III/1 (1993) *

External links

* * *
Book description of ''The Magic Ring'' (1825) (''Der Zauberring'', 1813) at Valancourt Books
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Fouque, Friedrich de la Motte 1777 births 1843 deaths Barons of Germany German fantasy writers People from Brandenburg an der Havel People from the Margraviate of Brandenburg Romanticism German-language poets Prussian Army personnel of the Napoleonic Wars German male poets