Schlegel brothers' circle - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
The Schlegel brothers' circle, a constellation of early German Romantic thinkers and writers, marks a pivotal moment in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Was it merely a literary movement or a seismic shift in consciousness? Often simplified as a coterie favoring sentiment over reason, closer inspection reveals a complex web of intellectual ferment that continues to intrigue scholars today.
The circle finds its nascent form in Jena around 1796, though scattered correspondences and philosophical fragments hint at earlier, less defined affiliations. The brothers, August Wilhelm and Friedrich Schlegel, serve as the nucleus, drawing around them figures like Novalis, Ludwig Tieck, and Caroline Böhmer-Schlegel-Schelling. This era, punctuated by the French Revolution and the rise of Idealism, formed the crucible where traditional forms buckled and were rethought. Perhaps conventional history overlooks their radical reimagining of art, philosophy, society, and love.
Over time, "Schlegel's circle" has morphed from a specific group in Jena to a broader symbol of German Romanticism itself. Figures like Schelling, initially aligned with the Schlegels’ vision, later diverged, altering our understanding of Romantic thought. The journal Athenaeum, co-edited by the Schlegels, became the principal voice, publishing daring new theories and artistic experiments. Yet, within their revolutionary ideas lay contradictions: a yearning for the past mingled with a desire for radical change. What are we to make of their simultaneous embrace of the medieval and the avant-garde?
The legacy of the Schlegel brothers' circle persists, visible in art, literature, and philosophical discourse. Their emphasis on individual experience, creative freedom, and the interconnectedness of all things resonates deeply in contemporary aesthetics and spirituality. As we navigate a world grappling with similar tensions – tradition versus innovation, individual versus society – the circle’s complex legacy prompts us to question whether we have truly understood the Romantic spirit they helped define or whether a deeper excavation is still warranted.