Imre Madách: Die Tragödie des Menschen – A Monumental Philosophical Drama (Paperback)   

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Product Information

• Author: Imre Madách
• Title: Die Tragödie des Menschen (The Tragedy of Man)
• Translator/Editor: Jenő Mohácsi (translation), edited by Géza Engl
• Foreword by: Marcell Benedek
• Publisher: Corvina
• Edition: Eighth Edition, 1994
• ISBN: 9631339661
• UPC: 9789631339666
• Format: Paperback
• Language: German (Translation from Hungarian)
• Genre: Dramatic Poem, Philosophical Drama

Overview

Die Tragödie des Menschen is the German edition of Imre Madách’s seminal work originally titled Az Ember tragédiája, often hailed as the "Hungarian Faust." This monumental dramatic poem traces the vast panorama of human history, philosophy, and existential struggle through a series of fifteen historical scenes featuring Adam, Eve, and Lucifer in shifting roles across epochs—from ancient Egypt and Rome to Byzantium and beyond.

Madách’s drama explores humanity’s perpetual battles for freedom, faith, knowledge, and pleasure—each ending in disappointment but revealing a profound truth: the meaning of life lies within the struggle itself. The dark pessimism of the narrative is ultimately softened in its final act, which reconciles man’s rebellious spirit with divine grace.

This edition features a contemporary, reader-accessible German translation with a foreword by noted literary historian and aesthete Marcell Benedek. Die Tragödie des Menschen remains a cornerstone of Hungarian literature, celebrated for its philosophical depth and powerful stage presence. It has been performed internationally, inspiring renowned directors such as Max Reinhardt.

Product Features

• Format: Paperback, German language
• Edition: Eighth edition, revised and edited translation
• Includes: Foreword by Marcell Benedek
• Content: Philosophical dramatic poem in 15 acts, historical scenes spanning human civilization
• Themes: Human struggle, existential philosophy, history, rebellion, divine grace
• Significance: Often compared to Goethe’s Faust, yet uniquely original in scope and narrative
• Cultural Impact: A staple of Hungarian theatre repertoire for over a century, internationally staged

Interesting Facts

• Imre Madách was imprisoned following the failed Hungarian revolution of 1848/49 due to his political sympathies, a life event that deeply influenced his work.
• The drama’s external structure mirrors medieval mystery plays, with a celestial prologue featuring God and Lucifer debating mankind’s fate.
• The book’s historical scope reflects a journey through diverse eras, highlighting humanity’s eternal conflicts and ideals.
• The philosophical pessimism of the drama contrasts with a hopeful conclusion embracing divine forgiveness.
• Max Reinhardt and other prominent directors have staged the drama outside Hungary, attesting to its international acclaim.

Publishers

Published by Corvina in 1994. The edition is a respected German translation making this Hungarian literary classic accessible to a wider audience.

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• English: #ImreMadach #DieTragödieDesMenschen #HungarianLiterature #PhilosophicalDrama #DramaticPoem #ExistentialLiterature #GermanTranslation #CorvinaPublisher
• German: #ImreMadách #TragödieDesMenschen #UngarischeLiteratur #PhilosophischesDrama #DramatischesGedicht #ExistenzielleLiteratur #DeutscheÜbersetzung #CorvinaVerlag