benjamin_schmitt engelse vertaling

8/12/2019 Benjamin_Schmitt Engelse Vertaling

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WALTERBENJAMINANDCARLSCHMITT:

A POLITICAL-THEOLOGICALCONFRONTATION

MARINTERPSTRAANDTHEODEWIT

The theme of Benjamn!" #o"th$mo$" the"e" on the %on%e#t of h"to&' " the attem#t to

m#&o(e )o$& #o"ton n the "t&$**+e a*an"t fa"%"m!, a" the e*hth the"" ha" t .The "ame

the"" a+"o %ontan" in nuce the ent&e %om#+e/ of Benjamn!" &e+aton" to h" %ontem#o&a&'

Ca&+ S%hmtt 0.111-.2134 Benjamn $"e" the te&m )"tate of eme&*en%'! 0Ausnahmezustand4,

5h%h he 6o&&o5e7 f&om S%hmtt an7 5h%h, a" t 5e&e, %on"tt$te" the "*nfe& of the&

affnt' The theme of the )"t&$**+e a*an"t fa"%"m!, ho5e(e&, " "omethn* 5h%h 7(7e"them mo"t 7e%"(e+' We 5++ a&*$e n th" e""a' that th" 7(7n* +ne " $+tmate+'

7ete&mne7 6' a f$n7amenta++' political-theologicalo##o"ton 5h%h " e/#&e""e7 n the&

&e"#e%t(e %on%e#t" of h"to&'

Benjamn 5&ote the the"" n 8$e"ton to5a&7" the en7 of h" +fe, at a tme 5hen

Natona+ So%a+"m ha7 a+&ea7' 6een n #o5e& fo& "e(en 'ea&" n Ge&man' an7 5a& n E$&o#e

5a" a fa%t Wa+te& Benjamn an7 Ca&+ S%hmtt 6e+on*e7 to 7ffe&ent #o+t%a+ %am#", 5ho"e

&e%#&o%a+ ho"t+t' ha7 a+&ea7' ma7e 8$te a 7&amat% ma&9 on ethe& a$tho&!" #e&"ona+h"to&' Whe&ea" the fo&me& " on the &$n f&om h" Na #e&"e%$to&", the +atte& fn7" hm"e+f,

a" he 5++ +ate& %a++ t, )n the 6e++' of the Le(athan!, at f&"t a" a #&omnent +a5'e& n Ht+e&!"

ne5 Re%h, an7 f&om .2;< on5a&7" mo&e an7 mo&e n the ma&*n" of th" Re%h a" t $nfo+7"

nto a Behemoth, a mon"t&o$" Unstaat

Ne(e&the+e"" Benjamn &efe&" to one of S%hmtt!" f$n7amenta+ %on%e#t", the

Ausnahmezustand The' 6oth $"e7 th" %on%e#t n the& &e"#e%t(e ana+'"" of the "e(enteenth-

%ent$&' noton of "o(e&e*nt' S%hmtt man+' em#ha""e" t" %on"tt$tona+ an7 #o+t%a+-

theo+o*%a+ a"#e%t", Benjamn "t&e""e" t" theat&%a+ an7 ae"thet% a"#e%t" Both a$tho&",

ho5e(e&, a&e a5a&e that the"e 7men"on" a&e ntmate+' nte&t5ne7=S%hmtt an7 Benjamn

"ha&e a m$t$a+ nte&e"t an7 e(en fa"%naton fo& the "e(enteenth %ent$&' It" +e*a+ an7

theo+o*%a+ %ate*o&e" 0"o(e&e*nt', "tate of eme&*en%'4 a&e #&ma&+' %ha&a%te&"t% of the a*e

.The the"e" fo&m$+ate the h'#othe"" that t 5a" a %e&tan %on%e#ton of h"to&', #&e(a+ent 5thn "o%a+7emo%&a%', 5h%h $n7e&mne7 the #o5e& of the 5o&9e&"! mo(ement 0)>6e& 7en Be*&ff 7e& Ge"%h%hte!, nGesammelte Schriften, ? (o+", e7te7 6' Ro+f Te7emann an7 He&mann S%h5e##enh@$"e& 0F&an9f$&t am Man:S$h&9am#, .2?-.21?4, #


2/17


3/17

7oe" j$"t%e to Benjamn!" metho7, 6$t &athe& the 8$e"ton of the )%on"te++aton"! to 5h%h the

"m+a&te" an7 ana+o*e" 6et5een hm"e+f an7 S%hmtt &efe& The"e )%on"te++aton"! a&e

#o""6+e 6e%a$"e Benjamn an7 S%hmtt "ha&e a %ommon 5a' of thn9n* 5h%h %o$+7 6e

7e"%&6e7 a" )metho7%a+ e/t&em"m!: the %on(%ton that on+' an e#"temo+o*%a+ o&entaton

to5a&7" the )e/t&eme %a"e! 5++ 6e a6+e to $n%o(e& the e""en%e of a +e*a+, #o+t%a+ an7

$+tmate+' meta#h'"%a+ o&7e& Both thn9e&" th$" 7e%+a&e the& o5n "tate of eme&*en%', a

metho7o+o*%a+ 7&e%ton 5h%h " not j$"t %on"7e&e7 to 6e $n$"$a+, 6$t e(en )7an*e&o$"!,

name+' n"ofa& a" %e&tan #&a%t%a+ %on"e8$en%e" ma' 6e +n9e7 to th" 5a' of thn9n*

FLEETINGENCONTERS

It " $n+9e+' that Benjamn an7 S%hmtt e(e& a%t$a++' met If 5e 7"%o$nt t5o %a"$a+

&efe&en%e" to S%hmtt n Benjamn!" 5o&9 0II, .;?= an7 I, =.24, the& )en%o$nte&! %an 6e

&e7$%e7 to th&ee moment" n tme In h" "t$7' of the Ba&o8$e mo$&nn* #+a', Benjamn &efe&"

"e(e&a+ tme" to S%hmtt!"*olitische Theologie


4/17

)C&o5n-a##onte7 +a5'e& of the Na"!2 Co$%he7 n the"e te&m", the 8$e"ton #&o6a6+'

&e(ea+" mo&e a6o$t the nee7 fo& %+ea& mo&a+-#o+t%a+ 7(7n* +ne" n the #o"t-5a& 0Ge&man4

nte++e%t$a+ %+mate than a6o$t the %om#+e/ nte++e%t$a+ $n(e&"e of the Wema& Re#$6+% Th"

nee7 ma' a+"o e/#+an 5h' the +ette&, on A7o&no!" ntat(e, 5a" not n%+$7e7 n the t5o-

(o+$me e7ton of Benjamn!" +ette&" n .2


5/17

no&ma+t' A" Benjamn!" 6etztzeit nte&&$#t" the )#&o*&e""! of h"to&' %on%e(e7 6'

h"to&%"m, S%hmtt!" )fo&%e of &ea+ +fe!, a" t %ome" to the fo&e n the e/%e#ton to the +e*a+

&$+e, 6&ea9" the )a$tomat"m! of the +e*a+ o&7e& )&*7fe7 n &e#etton! A "m+a& tho$*ht "

#$t fo&5a&7 6' S%hmtt n h" "t$7' of /amlet, a" 5e 5++ "ee +ate& He %on"7e&" the

e/%e#ton to 6e )mo&e nte&e"tn* than the no&m No&ma+t' #&o(e" nothn*, the e/%e#ton

#&o(e" e(e&'thn* t not on+' %onf&m" the &$+e, the &$+e +(e" on+' off the e/%e#ton!.

In h" e/#o"ton of S%hmtt, Ta$6e" &emn7" $" of the "ame 7efnton of "o(e&e*nt'

that n"#&e7 Benjamn: )So$(e&@n "t, 5e& 6e& 7en A$"nahme$"tan7 ent"%he7et! .3F&om

h" %ommenta&' of th" 7efnton, t 6e%ome" a##a&ent that Ta$6e" &ea7" t f&om a h"to&%a+-

#h+o"o#h%a+ #e&"#e%t(e f&om the (e&' on"et: )Th" " a +a5'e& 5&tn*, not a theo+o*an B$t

this is no praise of secularization, t " a &e(e+aton!.


6/17

f$t$&e4 ha" 6een %ont&a%te7 nto a6etztzeit, 5h%h " e""enta++' a &et&o"#e%ton, &emem6&an%e

an7 %ommemo&aton an7 n 5h%h #&o*&e"" ha" 6een %a++e7 to a ha+t

Th" #o"ton " a+"o &a7%a+ n the "en"e that Benjamn 7oe" not fn7 hm"e+f 6o$n7 to

the (%to&e" 5h%h the f$t$&e ma' offe&, no& e(en to an' 9n7 of mmanent-h"to&%a++'

fo$n7e7 7$t' to %oo#e&ate 5th the en7+e"" ta"9 of &ea+n* the %+a""+e"" "o%et': the&e a&e no

)meann*f$+ #o+t%a+ *oa+"!=In the %onte/t of the h"to&%a+-#h+o"o#h%a+ the"e" the&e " an

m#o&tant &efe&en%e to the Je5"h t&a7ton 5h%h ma9e" the f$t$&e ta6oo a" a "o$&%e of

9no5+e7*e: to the Je5", )e(e&' "e%on7 " the "ma++ *ate th&o$*h 5h%h the Me""ah ma'

ente&!=.E+"e5he&e, n a %&t8$e of the "o%a+ 7emo%&at", Benjamn 5&te" that the "t&$**+e of

the 5o&9n* %+a"" "ho$+7 not 6e ame7 to5a&7" the +6e&aton of f$t$&e *ene&aton", 6$t

to5a&7" the &e7em#ton of #a"t *ene&aton" the o##&e""e7 f&om the #a"t 5h%h ha(e 6een

7e+ete7 f&om h"to&'==The &e(o+$ton the&efo&e a##ea&" to Benjamn n the f&"t #+a%e not a" a

#o+t%a+ e(ent, a 7e%"(e moment n #o+t%a+ h"to&' f&om 5h%h a %+ea& (%to& 5++ eme&*e,

6$t a" an e(ent 5th a theo+o*%a+ "*nf%aton The &e(o+$ton " a #o+t%a+-theo+o*%a+

#henomenon 5ho"e &oot" m$"t 6e "o$*ht at the 6e*nnn* of mo7e&nt'

REOLTION, SOEREIGNT, STATEOFEMERGENC

Both Benjamn an7 S%hmtt 5e&e 5tne"" to 5hat 5a" #&o6a6+' the 5o&"t %&"" e(e& on

the E$&o#ean %ontnent: the F&"t Wo&+7 Wa&, the R$""an Re(o+$ton an7 0the th&eat of4 %(+

5a&" 5e&e e(ent" 5h%h fo&%e7 not on+' them, 6$t mo"t m#o&tant nte++e%t$a+" to thn9 a6o$t

(o+en%e an7 %ata"t&o#he Both Benjamn an7 S%hmtt &ea7 So&e+!" "t$7' of (o+en%e n

#o+t%" an7 6oth nte&na+e7 t n the& 5o&9, e(en tho$*h the& &e"#e%t(e (e5#ont" a&e

7amet&%a++' o##o"e7 to one anothe& In a "ho&t e#+o*$e to Benjamn!",riti" der Ge!altn

.2


7/17

The &e(o+$ton an7 the 6att+e of a##&o#&aton that &a*e" a&o$n7 t %an n7ee7 6e "een a"

a %ent&a+ #ont of Benjamn!" 5o&9, an7 t %an 6e +n9e7 to one of the mo"t m#o&tant %on%e#t"

n S%hmtt!" #o+t%a+ thn9n* The &e(o+$ton " the moment of the mo"t &a7%a+ t$&no(e& of a

"o%o-#o+t%a+ o&7e& Ra7%a+: the &e(o+$ton to$%he" $#on the &oot" of th" o&7e&, n othe&

5o&7" at the (e&' thn*" that %on"tt$te th" o&7e& An o&7e&, ho5e(e&, " not %&eate7 ex nihilo,

6$t th&o$*h a "t&$**+e 5th an othe&, #&e%e7n* o&7e& 5h%h %an no +on*e& fn7 the "t&en*th to

7efen7 t"e+f Re(o+$ton " th$" n the f&"t #+a%e %ha&a%te&e7 6' an am6*$o$" &e+aton"h#

6et5een 7e"t&$%ton an7 fo$n7aton The &e(o+$ton " not me&e+' a (o+ent t&an"ton #e&o7

f&om one o&7e& to the othe& On the %ont&a&': t" am6*$t' &e(ea+" a 7"%ontn$t'

Bet5een the t5o moment", h"to&%a+ tme ha" 6een "to##e7, a" t 5e&e The

mmo6+"aton of tme n the f&"t #+a%e &e(ea+" the f$n7amenta+ o& meta#h'"%a+ ++e*tma%'

of e(e&' "o%o-#o+t%a+ o&7e& Fo& at th" %&$%a+ moment 5hen the o+7 o&7e& ha" a+&ea7'

%ea"e7 to f$n%ton )no&ma++'! 6$t the ne5 o&7e& ha" not 'et 6een e"ta6+"he7, e(e&'

+e*tmaton "eem" to &e"t on 8$%9"an7 F&om the #e&"#e%t(e of the o+7 o&7e&, the &e(o+$ton

" 6' 7efnton ++e*tmate, 5he&ea" the o&7e& 5h%h +e*tmate" t 7oe" not 'et e/"t 6$t n

ant%#aton et n the a6"en%e of a++ +e*tma%' the #&e"en%e of a h'#e&+e*tma%', of an

)e/%e""! of +a5, "hne" th&o$*h The %+a"h of the o+7 o&7e& an7 the ant%#ate7 ne5 o&7e& ta9e"

#+a%e n the name of an )othe&! +a5, an )othe&! j$"t%e At the "ame tme, th" %+a"h &e(ea+" that

t " a##a&ent+' not *(en to man9n7 to 9ee# the +a5 o& j$"t%e n han7" Con"e&(at(e

(o+en%e, 5h%h "t&(e" to mantan the o+7 o&7e&, a" 5e++ a" the &e(o+$tona&' (o+en%e 5h%h

"ee9" to e"ta6+"h a ne5 o&7e& 6oth %ont&a7%t the a6+t' of man9n7 to 7o j$"t%e n an

a6"o+$te "en"e

The %on%e#t of no&ma+t', on the othe& han7, 7eman7" that e(e&' tho$*ht of fo$n7aton,

&e(o+$ton o& 7e"t&$%ton 6e 6an"he7: t ta9e" the a%t of fo$n7aton an7 th$" of #o""6+e

7e"t&$%ton o& &e(o+$ton a" the +mt of tho$*ht, 5h%h ma' not 6e %&o""e7 Th" " 5h',

Benjamn "$"#e%t", the mono#o+' on (o+en%e of the E$&o#ean %on"tt$tona+ "tate " not "o

m$%h 7&e%te7 a*an"t the (o+en%e of the n7(7$a+ #$&"$n* ++e*tmate am", a" t "

nten7e7 fo& the #&ote%ton of the +e*a+ order=Le*tma%' an7 +e*a+t' %on%7e n the "o%o-

#o+t%a+ o&7e& that ha" e"ta6+"he7 t"e+f a" no&ma+t'

The &$+e of no&ma+t' a##ea&" mo"t %+ea&+' n the 7omnan%e of #o"t("m, 5h%h

"m#+' ta9e" the e/"tn* +a5 a" an n%onte"ta6+e #ont of 7e#a&t$&e et #o"t("m " $na6+e

to #&o(7e an an"5e& to mo&e o& +e"" &a7%a+ %ha++en*e" to no&ma+t' )Con"tt$tona+ +a5 fa%e"

t" +mt he&e!, " ho5 S%hmtt &ea7 h" %o++ea*$e G An"%ht A" an an"5e& to "$%h an7 +9e=II, .1;


8/17

%ha++en*e", the' ta9e &ef$*e n 8$a"-t&an"%en7ent +e*tmaton", fo& 5h%h the 7o%t&ne of

nat$&a+ +a5 " e/em#+a&'

et 5e %an on+' "#ea9 of t&$e t&an"%en7en%e 5hen t %an 6e "ho5n that the a$tonomo$"

an7 "o+ate7 no&ma+t', #&e"ent n the 7entt' of +e*a+t' an7 +e*tma%' o& n the 7e&(aton of

the #o"t(e +a5 f&om a h*he&, 6$t a%%e""6+e, "o$&%e of +a5, " a me&e a##ea&an%e An7 e(en

tho$*h man' %ontn$e7 to %+n* to the& fath n e7f'n* "o%a+ fo&%e", +9e the &atona+t' of

"%en%e, e%onom' an7 te%hno+o*', the "o#h"t%aton of the +e*a+ "'"tem an7 the 7e(e+o#ment

of a #a%f'n* nte&natona+ +a5, th" 5a" not ha&7 to 7emon"t&ate at the tme 5hen Benjamn

an7 S%hmtt 5&ote the& te/t"

The f&"t "te#" on the #ath to an o&7e&+' an7 "ta6+e ma"" 7emo%&a%' 5e&e ha&7+'

$n#&o6+emat% Ho5 %o$+7 an' fo&m of no&ma+t' e"ta6+"h t"e+f he&e The e/#e&en%e that

the )"tate of eme&*en%'! " the &$+e " not a+en to the e&a n 8$e"ton B$t the e/#e&en%e an7

#o+t%a+ 7e%+a&aton of the "tate of eme&*en%' 6' 7efnton "#a5n" (e&' n$me&o$" an7 (e&'

7(e&"e off"#&n*=3 S%hmtt!" an"5e& to h" o5n 7a*no"" of the $n"ta6+e fo$n7aton of

no&ma+t' 0n th" %a"e the Wema& Re#$6+%4 %o$+7 6e %a++e7 "atechontic: 5h%h o&7e& %an

%he%9 f$&the& 7e%a' S%hmtt fo$n7 the e/#&e""on )9at-e%hon! n the "e%on7 +ette& to the

The""a+onan" 0=:


9/17

THESOEREIGN

S%hmtt!" famo$" an"5e& to the 8$e"ton of the "$6je%t of "o(e&e*nt' nte&(ene"

#&ma&+' n a "t&%t+' +e*a+ 7"%$""on A%%o&7n* to a &e%ent &e%on"t&$%ton,=?h" 7efnton of

"o(e&e*nt' 5a" &ema&9a6+e n t5o #ont" at +ea"t P&omnent %on"tt$tona+ +a5'e&" of the

Ge&man Re%h "a5 )"o(e&e*nt'! a" a #&o#e&t' of "tate #o5e& The' m*ht 7"a*&ee on 5ho

e/a%t+' %o$+7 8$a+f' a" the 6ea&e&, the h*he"t 6o7' o& the %ent&a+ n"tan%e, 6$t n the e'e" of

the"e theo&et%an" "$%h n"tan%e" 5e&e a++ %on"tt$tona+ 6o7e" 5th "t&%t+' 7ema&%ate7

%om#eten%e",pou.oirs constitu


10/17

&*ht!=2St++ S%hmtt 7oe" not %on"7e& the ent&e 8$e"ton to 6e a me&e #ont of +a5 The

8$e"ton 5hethe& 5e %an &7 o$&"e+(e" of the e/%e#tona+ %a"e " not a +e*a+ one, 6$t )7e#en7"

on #h+o"o#h%a+, #a&t%$+a&+' h"to&%a+-#h+o"o#h%a+ o& meta#h'"%a+, %on(%ton"!;Mo7e&n

7e(e+o#ment" n the theo&' of +a5 5h%h ten7 to e+mnate "o(e&e*nt' n the "en"e 7e"%&6e7

a6o(e n7%ate a "hft n #o+t%a+ meta#h'"%" The #o"t$+aton of the 7entt' of "tate an7

+e*a+ o&7e& "$6"%&6e" to a 6&oa7e& 7e(e+o#ment ta9n* #+a%e 6et5een the "e(enteenth an7

nneteenth %ent$&e": the t&an"ton f&om t&an"%en7ent to mmanent %on%e#ton" In the

"e(enteenth an7 e*hteenth %ent$&', the t&an"%en7ent #o"ton of Go7 to5a&7" the 5o&+7 an7

of the "o(e&e*n to5a&7" the "tate a&e meta#h'"%a++' "e+f-e(7ent F&om the 6e*nnn* of the

e*hteenth %ent$&', the #e&"ona+"t an7 7e%"on"t e+ement" n the %on%e#t of "o(e&e*nt' a&e

+o"t n fa(o$& of o&*an% %on%e#ton" of the #eo#+e an7 the 7emo%&at% #&em"e of the 7entt'

of &$+e&" an7 "$6je%t";.

On+' afte& the Se%on7 Wo&+7 Wa& 77 S%hmtt *(e h" "e(enteenth-%ent$&' #o"ton a

0h"to&%a+-4theo+o*%a+ 7men"on Th" " mo"t a##a&ent n h" Glossarium: )I 6e+e(e n the

,atechon to me th" " the on+' #o""6+t', a" a %h&"tan, to $n7e&"tan7 h"to&' an7 fn7 t

meann*f$+!;=Wth the %on%e#t of,at-echon, S%hmtt &efe&" to a m'"te&o$" #a""a*e n Pa$+,

5he&e the +atte& a7mon"he" the #&mt(e %omm$nt' of The""a+on%a, 5h%h "eem" to ha(e

6een o(e&%ome 6' an )a#o%a+'#t% fe(e&!;;, to &eman #atent an7 %a+m;In a%%o&7an%e 5th

Je5"h a#o%a+'#t%"m, Pa$+ a##ea&" to 6e %on(n%e7 that the #a&o$"a of the Me""ah 5++ 6e

#&e%e7e7 6' a %ata"t&o#he, the &e(e+aton of the +a5+e"" one the Ant%h&"t Ho5e(e&, the

m'"te&o$" &efe&en%e to a fo&%e 5h%h 0"t++4 ho+7" th" enem' of the +a5 at 6a' " a no(e+t',

an7 ha" #&o(o9e7 man' nte&etaton" "n%e S%hmtt!" nte&etaton %on%$&" 5th that of the

Ch$&%h Fathe&", 5ho %+am that Pa$+!",at-echon5a" meant to 7e"*nate the Roman Em#&e

an7 the Roman em#e&o& It " a 7e%"(e, f #a&a7o/%a+, fa%to& 0%on"7e&n* the #a*an nat$&e

of th" em#&e, 5h%h 5a" not 9n7+' 7"#o"e7 to5a&7" the Ch&"tan"4 that th" 7entf%aton

=2 )De& A$"nahmefa++ offen6a&t 7a" We"en 7e& "taat+%hen A$to&t@t am 9+a&"ten He& "on7e&t "%h 7eEnt"%he7$n* (on 7e& Re%ht"no&m, $n7 0$m e" #a&a7o/ $ fo&m$+e&en4 7e A$to&t@t 6e5e"t, 7a "e, $m Re%ht$ "%haffen, n%ht Re%ht $ ha6en 6&a$%ht! 0S%hmtt,*olitische Theologie, # =4; ) h@n*t (on #h+o"o#h"%hen, n"6e"on7e&e *e"%h%ht"#h+o"o#h"%hen o7e& meta#h'""%hen>6e&e$*$n*en a6! 0S%hmtt,*olitische Theologie, # .;4;.S%hmtt,*olitische Theologie, #


11/17

ma7e #o""6+e an affirmati.e"tan%e of Ch&"tan" to5a&7" a "e%$+a& #o5e& It " n th" e/a%t+'

that S%hmtt 7"%o(e&" a )"en"e! of h"to&'

In S%hmtt!" o#non, the ,at-echon, the )noton of a fo&%e 5h%h ho+7" the en7 at 6a'

an7 "$##&e""e" e(+!, " the 0ridge5h%h %onne%t" the e"%hato+o*%a+ e/#e%taton 05h%h

"eem" to 7e#&(e h"to&' of a++ "en"e4 5th a %h&"tan +fe in h"to&', 5th an eth%a+ ta"9 an7

the fo&maton of a #o+t%a+ #o5e& that &e"$+t" f&om t;3S%hmtt "a'" the "en"e of h"to&', the

(e&' "*n e(en that h"to&' " not o(e& 'et, +e" n the #&e"en%e of a 9ate%hont% fo&%e )Who

ho+7" the Satan at 6a'! " th$" the meta+e*a+, h"to&%a+-theo+o*%a+ 8$e"ton 5h%h "$##o&t"

S%hmtt!" #h+o"o#h' of +a5

A+tho$*h S%hmtt!" e/#+%t &efe&en%e to the Pa$+n% f*$&e of a 9ate%hont% fo&%e, a" 5e

"a7, %ome" on+' afte& the Se%on7 Wo&+7 Wa&, the #e&%e#ton of the h"to&%a+ &ea+t' 5h%h t

#&e"$##o"e" " a+&ea7' #&e"ent n *olitische Theologie It " a #e&%e#ton a%%o&7n* to the

e/t&eme antthet%a+ #atte&n catastrophe .ersus restauration The "o(e&e*n, 5ho )7e%7e" on

the "tate of eme&*en%'!, ha" the ta"9 to &e"to&e an7 mantan the o&7e&, 5h%h " #e&manent+'

th&eatene7 6' %hao" an7 ana&%h' Benjamn &e%o*ne" th" antthe"" n the Ge&man 6a&o8$e

mo$&nn* #+a' The a%t$a+ "$6je%t of th" 7&ama " h"to&%a+ +fe a" t 5a" &e#&e"ente7 n the

Ba&o8$e, #&ma&+' th&o$*h the f*$&e of the "o(e&e*n The "o(e&e*n )ho+7" the %o$&"e of

h"to&' n h" han7 +9e a "%e#t&e!;


12/17

of %&eat$&e", 6$t he &eman" a %&eat$&e!;1Th" "tat$" " a+"o the *&o$n7 fo& h" 7o5nfa++ A

&a7%a++' mmanent 5o&+7 e/%+$7e" the hete&o*enet' o& t&an"%en7en%e of a 7e%"on ;2The

"o(e&e*n, 5th 5hom &e"t" the 7e%"on on the "tate of eme&*en%', )#&o(e" at the (e&' f&"t

o##o&t$nt' that he " ha&7+' %a#a6+e of a 7e%"on at a++!He no5 7"#+a'" h" mo"t e/t&eme

ten7en%e", 5h%h 5e&e a+&ea7' m#+e7 n the m6a+an%e 6et5een h" #o5e& an7 h" %a#a%t'

a" a &$+e&: he 6e%ome" a 7%tato& an7 a t'&ant, an )em6+em of a 7"t$&6e7 o&7e& of %&eaton!

Ho5e(e&, the %on(%ton of the #e&"ona+ n%a#a%t' an7 5%9e7ne"" of the t'&ant 5a" 6a+an%e7

6' a 6e+ef n the "a%&o"an%t nat$&e of the (o+en%e he #eet&ate" Th$" the t'&ant %an

t&an"fo&m hm"e+f nto a ma&t'& A #e&fe%t e/am#+e of th" " the 7&amat% #o&t&a'a+ of 9n*

He&o7, 5ho )a" the (e&' #nna%+e of %&eaton e&$#t" n a (o+%an% &a*e, 7e"t&o'n* hm"e+f an7

h" ent&e %o$&t He fa++" 6a%9 nto the "tat$" of a me&e mo&ta+, a (%tm of the

7"#&o#o&ton of the $n+mte7 he&a&%h%a+ 7*nt' 5h%h Go7 ha" 6e"to5e7 $#on hm!.

The ta"9 of the t'&ant, a" 5e "a7 a6o(e, 5a" a &e"to&aton of the o&7e&, the $to#a of the

a*e, the e"ta6+"hment of an )&on %on"tt$ton of nat$&a+ +a5"! &e#+a%n* a 7"o&7e&+' h"to&'

a ne5 %&eaton An7 t " e/a%t+' on th" #ont that the mo"t m#o&tant 7ffe&en%e 6et5een

S%hmtt an7 Benjamn " "t$ate7

A POSTHMOSANSWER

S%hmtt!" an"5e& to Benjamn!" +ette& f&om .2; fo++o5" #o"th$mo$"+', t5ent'-f(e

'ea&" afte& the +ette&, ffteen 'ea&" afte& the 7eath of t" a$tho&, n a "t$7' on Sha9e"#ea&e!"

/amletf&om .23


13/17

The"e 5o&7" of #&a"e a&e not j$"t to %om#en"ate fo& the (e&' %&t%a+ note" to

Benjamn!" nte&etaton of/amletn an )1x"urs! The' e/#&e"" a metho7o+o*%a+ affnt':

the 5a' n 5h%h the &e+aton"h# 6et5een theat&e an7 h"to&' " t&eate7 Benjamn!"

mona7o+o*', a%%o&7n* to 5h%h a "n*+e 5o&9 of a&t %an em6o7' an ent&e e&a,%an 6e fo$n7

n a "m+a& 5a' n S%hmtt The f*$&e of Ham+et #e&"onfe" the #+a' /amlet, an7 6e%a$"e of

the t&a*e7' 5o(en a&o$n7 the #&ota*on"t n th" mo$&nn* #+a', Ham+et hm"e+f ha" 6e%ome a

m'th emnent+' %ha&a%te&"t% of the mo7e&n E$&o#ean mn7 3Th$" 5e en%o$nte& an ent&e

e&a n /amlet A%%o&7n* to S%hmtt, of the th&ee *&eat "'m6o+%a+ f*$&e" n mo7e&n

E$&o#ean +te&at$&e Don $/ot, Ham+et an7 Fa$"t on+' the "e%on7 one %o$+7 6e%ome a

m'th Whe&ea" Don $/ot " a S#an"h-%atho+% f*$&e an7 Fa$"t a Ge&man-#&ote"tant

%ha&a%te&, Ham+et em6o7e7 the nne& %onf+%t of the E$&o#ean mn7 n the tme of the

"e%ta&an 5a&"


14/17

e(ent" a&e )not "o m$%h the "$6je%t matte& a" the a&t"t% e""en%e n the mo$&nn* #+a'! 1B$t

t " e/a%t+' th" a"#e%t, Benjamn "a'", 5h%h 7"tn*$"he" the Ba&o8$e mo$&nn* #+a' f&om

an%ent G&ee9 t&a*e7': )Th" " 5he&e t 7"tn*$"he" t"e+f f&om t&a*e7', fo& the "$6je%t of

the +atte& " not h"to&' 6$t m'th !2 In h"/amlet oder /e"u0a, on the othe& han7,

S%hmtt ma9e" on+' the f&"t #ont a 7e%"(e fa%to& n the 7"tn%ton 6et5een mo$&nn* #+a'

an7 t&a*e7' We %an on+' ta+9 of a theat&e o& mo$&nn* pla3 5hen h"to&%a+ e(ent"

%on"tt$te the "$6je%t matte& f&om 5h%h the f&ee+' %&eatn* 5&te& "ha#e" h" #+a' 5e a&e

7ea+n* 5th a t&a*e7', o& n an' %a"e 5th the t&a*%a+ a"#e%t of the mo$&nn* #+a', 5hen

t&a*%a+ h"to&%a+ e(ent" ha(e 6een ma7e #&e"ent n the %ent&e of the 5o&9 t"e+f The %ent&a+

%on%e#t he&e " the n(a"on of &ea+ +fe nto the #+a': the moment 5hen )eine geschichtliche

Zeit in die Spielzeit ein0richt!3 j$"t a" &ea+ +fe n(a7e" the +e*a+ o&7e& 0"ee a6o(e4 S%hmtt

%han*e" the 7"tn%ton Benjamn ma7e 6et5een mo$&nn* #+a' an7 t&a*e7' nto a 7"tn%ton

6et5een 7ffe&ent fo&m" of t&a*e7'3.

At th" #ont, S%hmtt a##ea&" to o##o"e the %on"e8$en%e" of a %on""tent+' mantane7

%on"t&$%t("m, a" t %an 6e fo$n7 n Benjamn S%hmtt %+am" that the&e a&e e/%e#ton" to

e(e&' &$+e, e/%e#ton" "$%h a"/amlet: )In tme" of &e+*o$" "%h"m", 5o&+7 an7 5o&+7 h"to&'

+o"e the& f/e7 fo&m" an7 a h$man #&o6+em 6e%ome" ("6+e f&om 5h%h no #$&e+' ae"thet%

%on"7e&aton %an %&eate the he&o of a 7&ama of &e(en*e H"to&%a+ &ea+t' " "t&on*e& than a++

ae"thet%", "t&on*e& e(en than the mo"t 6&++ant "$6je%t The 5&te& of a t&a*e7' ha7 n mn7 a

9n*n a (e&' &ea+ "en"e, a 9n* 5ho"e fate an7 %ha&a%te& a&e a #&o7$%t of the 7("on of h"tme!3=

Th" "hft, o& #e&ha#" e(en &e(e&"a+, of the meann* of mo$&nn* #+a' an7 t&a*e7' " not

"$**e"te7 6' S%hmtt a" a #ont of %&t%"m, 6$t t " %onne%te7 to h" e/#&e"" %&t%"m of

Benjamn!" nte&etaton of/amlet Benjamn!" $"e of S%hmtt!" %on%e#t of "o(e&e*nt' 5a"

7efnte+' not n the "#&t of t" a$tho&, 5ho 5&te": )It "eem" to me, ho5e(e&, that Benjamn

"ome5hat $n7e&e"tmate" the 7ffe&en%e 6et5een the "t$aton on the "+an7 of En*+an7 an7

that on the E$&o#ean %ontnent, an7 th$" a+"o the 7ffe&en%e 6et5een En*+"h 7&ama an7 the

1) 7a 7e *enannten o&f@++e n%ht "o "eh& Stoff a+" Ke&n 7e& K$n"t m T&a$e&"#e+e "n7! 0I, ==42)E" $nte&"%he7et "%h 7a&n (on 7e& T&a*7e Denn 7e&en Ge*en"tan7 "t n%ht Ge"%h%hte, "on7e&n M'tho",! 0I, =;43S%hmtt,/amlet oder /e"u0a, #


15/17

6a&o8$e mo$&nn* #+a' n "e(enteenth-%ent$&' Ge&man' Th" 7ffe&en%e " a+"o e""enta+ fo&

an nte&etaton of/amlet, a" th" #+a' %annot 6e $n7e&"too7 5th a&t- an7 %$+t$&a+-h"to&%a+

%ate*o&e" "$%h a" Rena""an%e an7 Ba&o8$e The 7ffe&en%e %an 6e %ha&a%te&e7 mo"t

e%onom%a++' an7 a%%$&ate+' 5th a "+o*an-+9e antthe"", the "*nf%an%e of 5h%h "

"'m#tomat% of the %$+t$&a+ h"to&' of the %on%e#t of the #o+t%a+ I mean the antthe"" of

6a&6a&% an7 #o+t%a+!3;

A moment 6efo&e, S%hmtt ha7 a+&ea7' ma7e "ome %&t%a+ note" to Benjamn!" &ema&9

on the Ch&"tan %ha&a%te& of/amlet3He&e S%hmtt " of the o#non that the ma*e Benjamn

*(e" " a++ too $n7ffe&entate7, an7 that he ne*+e%t" the fa%t that the f*$&e of Ham+et $nte"

the t&a*e7' of the En*+"h mona&%h!" *o(e&nment to&n 6' &e+*o$" "t&fe an7 a++ "o&t" of

theo+o*%a+ "$6t+ete"33F&om a fa%t$a+ #e&"#e%t(e, 6oth #ont" "ee9 to %o&&e%t a #%t$&e of the

6a&o8$e mo$&nn* #+a' 5h%h " 7eeme7 to 6e too *ene&a+n* B$t S%hmtt " not the 9n7 of

man me&e+' to nt&o7$%e n$an%e" n an othe&5"e %o&&e%t 7e"%ton

It " not the f&"t tme that S%hmtt 6&n*" the fate of an 1nglishm'th nto the +me+*ht:

n .2;1, the #o+t%a+ "'m6o+ of the Le(athan an7, n th" %a"e, t" fa+$&e a" a m'th 6e%ame

the "$6je%t of a h"to&%a+ nte&etaton of ea&+' mo7e&n E$&o#e3


16/17

" the fa%t that Ham+et *&o5" nto a m'th an7 a "'m6o+ of indecision,315h%h Benjamn too

fo&e*&o$n7" n h" ana+'"" of the Ge&man mo$&nn* #+a'32

An m#o&tant 7"tn%ton, a &a7%a+ 7ffe&en%e e(en, eme&*e" 6et5een Benjamn an7

S%hmtt n the& &e"#e%t(e tho$*ht" on the &e+aton"h# 6et5een h"to&' an7 theat&e A+tho$*h

S%hmtt a%9no5+e7*e" the fa%t that the "e(enteenth %ent$&' #e&%e(e" the 5o&+7 an7 h"to&'

t"e+f a" a "ta*e, an7 that the 5o&+7 " the&efo&e not 7ffe&entate7 f&om the theat&e,


17/17

Ina"m$%h a" a theo+o*' %an 6e "$"#e%te7 6ehn7 the"e o##o"n* (e5", 5e %an %on%+$7e

that S%hmtt!" o&entaton " to5a&7" a C&eato&-Go7 5ho #&o(7e" man 5th the h"to&%a+

&ea+te" on 5h%h the +atte& m$"t 6a"e h" 7e%"on", 5he&ea" Benjamn!" fo%$" " on a Je5"h-

*no"t% Re7eeme&-Go7: the 7ea that &ea+ h"to&' 5++ 6e en7e7 6' the Me""ah The f&"t

o&entaton 5++ ten7 to "ee e(e&'thn* n the +*ht of ha+tn* the 7e%a' of the *(en 0a

"atechontic(e5 of h"to&'4, the "e%on7 o&entaton %on"7e&" e(e&'thn* n the +*ht of the

7e"t&$%ton of the *(en 0a messianist(e5 of h"to&'4 It 5a" #&o6a6+' the a5a&ene"", "ha&e7

6' 6oth a$tho&", that E$&o#ean h"to&' "t++ &e(o+(e" a&o$n7 theo+o*', a&o$n7 $n6&7*ea6+e

theo+o*%a+ 7ffe&en%e" an7 the incompati0le (e5" of h"to&' 5h%h the' enta+, 5h%h

6&o$*ht them n to$%h 5th ea%h othe& 6$t a+"o "e#a&ate7 them "o %&$e++' Be%a$"e fo& a fe5

'ea&" at +ea"t, S%hmtt "a5 a 9ate%hont% fo&%e n Ht+e&!" &e*me, a &e*me 5h%h 5a" the

7eath of Wa+te& Benjamn

0translated from utch 03 %ram ?ertens4

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