‘‘‘...pause...continuation? (to Zelter, March 26, 1816).’’ The Dance of Hesitation. The fruit thief by Peter Handke

Abstract

Peter Handke´s "last epic", „Die Obstdiebin” extends and renews the ways of telling and the characteristics of the forms of great epic literature by going back to very old, even archaic stories from all parts of the world. Narrations without plot and heroes explore the potentials of contemplation, reflexion and self-irony. The adventures of a vita contemplativa and the attention for the seemingly unremarkable are invoked in a tender and fragile way by a highly original re-reading of Goethes classical works.