Goethe's contemporaries. - Idealism the dominant characteristic of
German literature. Comparison of Greek and Christian Art.
Legend of Tannhäuser and Legend of Phryne. Nature deified
by the Greek, and diabolized by the Christian.. Contrast be-
tween early Greek and early Christian art. Realism the domi-
nant characteristic of the Greek mind, and Idealism of the
Christian. Idealism carried furthest by German art. Ger-
man belief in witches and wizards. Struggle between Idealism
and Realism. — Predominance of Realism in the Romantic epoch.
Its strong manifestation in the Nibelungen Lied. - Contrast
between national song or Volkspoesie, and poetic art Kuntspoesie.