Hugo von Hofmannsthal, An Impossible Man

Alexander Stillmark

Hugo von Hofmannsthal, An Impossible Man

Translated by Alexander Stillmark

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Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874-1925), Austrian writer

2 other titles

New Translations 12

Modern Humanities Research Association

1 August 2016 • 150pp

ISBN: 978-1-781882-74-0 (paperback) • RRP £14.99, $19.99, €17.99

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Hofmannsthal's comedy An Impossible Man is by common consent considered his stage masterpiece and has assumed the status of a classic in German-speaking countries. It is a play both about the passing historical moment which marked the end of the Habsburg era, together with its culture and class structure, whilst it is also a finely gauged critique of language as the badge of that culture. The highly polished, crafted diction the playwright employs shows up language as the flawed but indispensable vehicle of social communication. Hofmannsthal's dramatic technique is comparable to Chekhov's, since he uses conversation mainly for expository purposes with largely static effect, and by his choice of an essentially passive hero who is a problem to himself and to others. The problematic nature of language (a constant theme in Hofmannsthal's work and most consummately expressed in A Letter of 1902) is identified with and given voice through the complicated character of the hero Hans Karl. Moral seriousness is so finely interfused with a lightness of ironic texture in this comedy that no trace of gravity remains.

This new translation by Alexander Stillmark, Emeritus Reader in German at University College London and a leading scholar in Austrian Studies, has been composed especially with stage performance in mind.

Reviews:

‘This MHRA edition is a useful reference work for Anglophone readers and students of Hofmannsthal and provides an authoritative translation of Der Schwierige that will be welcomed by literary and theatre historians alike.’ — Edward Saunders, Austrian Studies 2017, 25, 253-54 (full text online)

Contents:

i-iv	Front Matter Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.1	Cite
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v-v	Table of Contents Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.2	Cite
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vi-vi	Acknowledgements Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.3	Cite
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1-12	Introduction Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.4	Cite
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15-61	An Impossible Man: FIRST ACT Hugo Von Hofmannsthal doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.5	Cite
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62-96	ACT TWO Hugo Von Hofmannsthal doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.6	Cite
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97-128	ACT THREE Hugo Von Hofmannsthal doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.7	Cite
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129-131	Appendix A: the Irony of Things Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.8	Cite
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132-133	Appendix B: Prussian and Austrian — An Outline Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.9	Cite
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134-140	Appendix C: A Letter Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.10	Cite
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141-142	Appendix D: He and She Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.11	Cite
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143-144	Back Matter Alexander Stillmark doi:10.2307/j.ctt1f5g5cn.12	Cite
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Bibliography entry:

Stillmark, Alexander (trans.), Hugo von Hofmannsthal, An Impossible Man, New Translations, 12 (MHRA, 2016)

First footnote reference: ³⁵ Hugo von Hofmannsthal, An Impossible Man, trans. by Alexander Stillmark, New Translations, 12 (MHRA, 2016), p. 21.

Subsequent footnote reference: ³⁷ Stillmark, p. 47.

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Cite this volume in MHRA author-date style

Bibliography entry:

Stillmark, Alexander (trans.). 2016. Hugo von Hofmannsthal, An Impossible Man, New Translations, 12 (MHRA)

Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Stillmark 2016: 21).

Example footnote reference: ³⁵ Stillmark 2016: 21.

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www.mhra.org.uk/publications/Hugo-von-Hofmannsthal-Impossible-Man
www.mhra.org.uk/publications/nt-12