Abstract
Furcht and Mitleid ? (1955) by W. Schadewaldt and its review of the same title (1956) by M. Pohlenz in ' Hermes ' make us realize the fact that we have not yet completely done with the well-known definition of 'tragedy' in they 6th chapter of Aristotle's Poetics, and we need to reconsider Lessing, who is one of the most important scholars in the history of the interpretation of the definition. The present writer intends to make an outline of Lessing's Hamburgische Dramaturgie (St. 73/83), together with its historical background. And to conclude, Lessing's interpretation of Aristotle is not so much the product of a philologist as that of a critic. His interpretation must be considered from various viewpoints : his view of the world, man and art as being of the German Enlightenment, his critical method, his hostility towards French classicism (Corneille) as well as his mistrust of the younger generation(the so-called Sturmer und Dranger), not to mention the low level of classical studies of his age. If, therefore, his interpretation of Aristotle has been a bad authority for later critics, it would be entirely owing to the fact of their having neglected the above-mentioned circumstances. It would also be unjust, if anyone today should accuse him too vehemently of various errors in his interpretation.
