Saturday, November 7, 2009

Shakuntala's Influence

As we explore this text, I just wanted to bring up again what a sensation it caused in the West when it was first introduced. Goethe was particularly enthralled with Kalidasa's Epic and wrote the following:
Willst du die Blüthe des frühen, die Früchte des späteren Jahres,
Willst du, was reizt and entzückt, willst du was sättigt and nährt,
Willst du den Himmel, die Erde, mit Einem Namen begreifen;
Nenn’ ich, Sakuntala, Dich, and so ist Alles gesagt
.

Wouldst thou the young year's blossoms and the fruits of its decline,
And all by which the soul is charmed, enraptured, feasted, fed?
Wouldst thou the earth and heaven itself in one sole name combine?
I name thee, O Shakuntala, and all at once is said. (Eastwich translation)

What is it that inspired the writer of Faust to take all heaven and all earth and find its fullness in the name of Shakuntala?
What is it about her that inspires you?
What is it about her story that can inspire an audience today?

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