Western European Classics: From Shakespeare to Goethe

Books in the ‘Rereading the Classics’ series give a modern analysis of the works that form part of school literature curricula. This is the first attempt to provide a detailed insight into the spiritual, moral and religious aspects of the art of 19th and 20th century Russian writers. The series is offered as the basis of modern knowledge about Russian literature, which is necessary for high school students to pass school-leaving examinations and to gain admission to any institution of higher learning.

The textbook covers a number of major names and works of foreign literature from the school curriculum. With all the vastness of the period, the five offered essays represent a change in the main genres and styles from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. The book traces the evolution of literature, starting with genres that mark the collapse of the humanist utopia, the tragedies of Shakespeare and the novel of Cervantes. It continues with the satirical comedy of Moliere and the enlightenment novel by Defoe and Swift. Finally, it discusses Goethe's work and his great book Faust, which assesses the renewed character of culture through one of the key images of modern times.

For school, lyceums and gymnasium teachers, high school and college students, university entrants, philology specialists and a wide range of readers.