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Lessing's
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summary
This letter contains Lessing's most explicit observations on the distinction between poetry and prose as well as a unique proposal for emending Aristotle's interpretation of the dramatic method. Although both arguments are formulated in terms of Abbé Dubos' theory of signs, Lessing significantly modifies Dubos' doctrine by ideas derived from Alexander Baumgarten, Moses Mendelssohn, and Edmund Burke. An analysis of these modifications provides the framework for a critique of Lessing's aesthetic philosophy as a whole.

Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
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  1. Half-Title Page
  2. p. i
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  1. Series Page
  2. p. ii
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  1. Title Page
  2. p. iii
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  1. Copyright
  2. pp. iv-vi
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  1. Dedication
  2. pp. vii-viii
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  1. Acknowledgment
  2. pp. ix-x
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  1. Contents
  2. p. xi
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  1. I. Lessing’s Argument to Nicolai
  2. pp. 1-8
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  1. II. The Aesthetic Theories of the Abbé Dubos
  2. pp. 10-17
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  1. III. Lessing’s Concept of Poetry
  2. pp. 20-27
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  1. IV. Aristotle and the Necessity for Theatrical Performance
  2. pp. 34-48
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  1. V. The Nature of Illusion
  2. pp. 51-61
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  1. VI. The Superiority of the Drama
  2. pp. 64-76
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  1. VII. Poetry as a Mimetic Art
  2. pp. 79-89
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  1. Appendix A: Lessing’s Letter to Nicolai Dated May 26, 1769
  2. pp. 93-95
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  1. Appendix B: Aristotle’s Arguments on the Superiority of the Drama
  2. pp. 97-99
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  1. Appendix C: Mendelssohn’s “Von Der Illusion”
  2. pp. 100-102
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  1. Notes
  2. pp. 103-126
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  1. Bibliography
  2. pp. 131-144
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