WALTER BENJAMIN AND CARL SCHMITT: A POLITICAL-THEOLOGICAL CONFRONTATION

MARIN TERPSTRA AND THEO DE WIT The theme of Benjam n!" #o"th$mo$" the"e" on the %on%e#t of h "to&' " the attem#t to m#&o(e )o$& #o" t on n the "t&$**+e a*a n"t fa"% "m!, a" the e *hth the" " ha" t- . The "ame the" " a+"o %onta n" in nuce the ent &e %om#+e/ of Benjam n!" &e+at on" to h " %ontem#o&a&' Ca&+ S%hm tt 0.111-.2134- Benjam n $"e" the te&m )"tate of eme&*en%'! 0 Ausnahmezustand4, 5h %h he 6o&&o5e7 f&om S%hm tt an7 5h %h, a" t 5e&e, %on"t t$te" the " *n f e& of the & aff n t'- The theme of the )"t&$**+e a*a n"t fa"% "m!, ho5e(e&, " "ometh n* 5h %h 7 ( 7e" them mo"t 7e% " (e+'- We 5 ++ a&*$e n th " e""a' that th " 7 ( 7 n* + ne " $+t mate+' 7ete&m ne7 6' a f$n7amenta++' political-theological o##o" t on 5h %h " e/#&e""e7 n the & &e"#e%t (e %on%e#t" of h "to&'Benjam n 5&ote the the" " n 8$e"t on to5a&7" the en7 of h " + fe, at a t me 5hen Nat ona+ So% a+ "m ha7 a+&ea7' 6een n #o5e& fo& "e(en 'ea&" n Ge&man' an7 5a& n E$&o#e 5a" a fa%t- Wa+te& Benjam n an7 Ca&+ S%hm tt 6e+on*e7 to 7 ffe&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 e the& a$tho&!" #e&"ona+ h "to&'- Whe&ea" the fo&me& " on the &$n f&om h " Na: #e&"e%$to&", the +atte& f n7" h m"e+f, a" he 5 ++ +ate& %a++ t, ) n the 6e++' of the Le( athan!, at f &"t a" a #&om nent +a5'e& n H t+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 $nfo+7" nto a Behemoth, a mon"t&o$" UnstaatNe(e&the+e"" Benjam n &efe&" to one of S%hm tt!" f$n7amenta+ %on%e#t", the Ausnahmezustand- The' 6oth $"e7 th " %on%e#t n the & &e"#e%t (e ana+'" " of the "e(enteenth%ent$&' not on of "o(e&e *nt'- S%hm tt ma n+' em#ha" "e" t" %on"t t$t ona+ an7 #o+ t %a+theo+o* %a+ a"#e%t", Benjam n "t&e""e" t" theat& %a+ an7 ae"thet % a"#e%t"- Both a$tho&", ho5e(e&, a&e a5a&e that the"e 7 men" on" a&e nt mate+' nte&t5 ne7- = S%hm tt an7 Benjam n "ha&e a m$t$a+ nte&e"t an7 e(en fa"% nat on fo& the "e(enteenth %ent$&'- It" +e*a+ an7 theo+o* %a+ %ate*o& e" 0"o(e&e *nt', "tate of eme&*en%'4 a&e #& ma& +' %ha&a%te& "t % of the a*e
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The the"e" fo&m$+ate the h'#othe" " that t 5a" a %e&ta n %on%e#t on of h "to&', #&e(a+ent 5 th n "o% a+ 7emo%&a%', 5h %h $n7e&m ne7 the #o5e& of the 5o&9e&"! mo(ement 0)>6e& 7en Be*& ff 7e& Ge"%h %hte!, n Gesammelte Schriften, ? (o+"-, e7 te7 6' Ro+f T e7emann an7 He&mann S%h5e##enh@$"e& 0F&an9f$&t am Ma n: S$h&9am#, .2?A-.21?4, #- <2?4- We 5 ++ &efe& to the"e %o++e%te7 5& t n*" n the no5 %on(ent ona+ 5a', 5 th &oman n$me&a+" n7 %at n* the (o+$me an7 a&a6 % n$me&a+" n7 %at n* the #a*e"Translators note: a++ t&an"+at on" n th " e""a', $n+e"" "tate7 othe&5 "e, a&e m' o5n= See the e7 to&"! note" n I, 11<-

of a6"o+$t "m, 5hen mo7e&n t' " "t ++ +oo9 n* fo& t" o5n &e+at on"h # to the &e+ * o$" 5o&+7 ( e5 of the mme7 ate #a"t- Bet th " h "to& %a+ + m tat on 5 thho+7" ne the& Benjam n no& S%hm tt f&om "ee n* the & o5n t me n the + *ht of the 5o&+7 ( e5 of th " e&aThe afo&ement one7 the" " a+"o #&o( 7e" the 9e' 5 th 5h %h 5e %an # n#o nt the 7 ffe&en%e 6et5een 6oth a$tho&"- Benjam n 7 "t n*$ "he" 6et5een the )"tate of eme&*en%'! 5h %h, a" the )t&a7 t on of the o##&e""e7! tea%he" $", " a%t$a++' the &$+e, an7 the )a%t$a+ "tate of eme&*en%'! 5h %h ha" to 6e 6&o$*ht a6o$t- The #a&a7o/ %a+ fo&m$+at on of the f &"t #a&t of th " 7 "t n%t on C Ausnahme an7 Regel: e/%e#t on and &$+e C "$**e"t" that, f&om the #e&"#e%t (e of the o##&e""e7, the " t$at on of .2AD %on"t t$te" the no&ma+ "tate of affa &" of h "to&'- Benjam n the&e6' %e&ta n+' 7 "tan%e" h m"e+f f&om S%hm tt, theo&et %a++' a" 5e++ a" #o+ t %a++', " n%e the +atte& %on%e (e" of the "tate of eme&*en%' a" the #o+ t %a+ moment par excellence 5 th &e*a&7 to an e/ "t n* +e*a+ o&7e&, an7 man fe"t+' not a" the h "to& %a+ &$+eBenjam n "h ft" S%hm tt!" %on%e#t of the )"tate of eme&*en%'!, an7 n 7o n* "o t$&n" t on t" hea7 n the "e%on7 #a&t of h " 7 "t n%t on- A &ea+ "tate of eme&*en%' m$"t 6e e"ta6+ "he7 a*a n"t the no&ma+ t' of the Ausnahmezustand, 5h %h " the h "to&' of the +a5 of the j$n*+eTh " &ea+ "tate of eme&*en%' %a++" fo& the en7 of h "to&' an7 th$" of no&ma+ t', an en7 5h %h " at the "ame t me a restitutio in integrum #e&fo&me7 6' the t&$e "o(e&e *n: the Me"" ah-; It ma' 5e++ "o$n7 "$&#& " n* o& e(en a"ton "h n* that Benjam n!" te/t $"e" a %ent&a+ %on%e#t f&om the 5o&9 of a 0then4 nat ona+-"o% a+ "t theo&et % an a*a n"t the %on%e#t of h "to&' that 7om nate" "o% a+ 7emo%&a%' an7 " to 6+ame fo& t" 5ea9ne"" n the )"t&$**+e a*a n"t fa"% "m!- To G&ete+ A7o&no, Benjam n on%e 7efen7e7 h " %on"% o$" $"e of a$tho&" o& 5a'" of th n9 n* 5h %h 5e&e %on" 7e&e7 6o$&*eo " o& &ea%t ona&' n the neo-ma&/ "t % &%+e" of the Zeitschrift fr Sozialforschung 6' &efe&& n* to the (e&' " n*$+a& 7'nam %" of h " o5n tho$*ht, 5h %h a%8$ &e" t" fe%$n7 t' f&om the (e&' fa%t that t mo(e" n 06et5een4 e/t&eme #o" t on" an7 $n te" the n%om#at 6+e- No th n9 n* 5 tho$t & "9" an7 5 tho$t (ent$& n* nto )7an*e&o$" + a "on"!-A The #h&a"e )7an*e&o$" + a "on"! ha" 6e%ome the t t+e of one of the f &"t mono*&a#h" on Benjam n an7 S%hm tt-3 The a$tho&, S$"anne He +, 8$ te & *ht+' #o nt" o$t that t " not "o m$%h the em# & %a+-%a$"a+ 8$e"t on, 5hethe& Benjam n 5a" ) nf+$en%e7! 6' S%hm tt, 5h %h
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Th " " the + n9 6et5een )>6e& 7en Be*& ff 7e& Ge"%h %hte! an7 the )Theo+o* "%h-#o+ t "%he" F&a*ment!, 5h %h 5a" #&o6a6+' 5& tten t5ent' 'ea&" ea&+ e& 0II, =D;-=DA4- It " L e(en De Ca$te&!" h'#othe" ", #$t fo&5a&7 n h " 6oo9 e !erg in de Schaa"automaat 0N jme*en: SEN, .2224, that theo+o* %a+ not on" ma9e $# a )"e%&et 7o%t& ne! at the (e&' on"et of Benjam n!" 5o&9, fo&m n* %on%e#t$a+ + n9" 5h %h %ont n$e to nfo&m h " 5& t n*" 5 tho$t e(e& 6e n* name7 e/#+ % t+'A II, .;<23 S$"anne He +, #Gef$hrliche %eziehungen&: 'alter %en(amin und )arl Schmitt 0St$tt*a&tFWe ma&: Met:+e&, .22<4-

7oe" j$"t %e to Benjam n!" metho7, 6$t &athe& the 8$e"t on of the )%on"te++at on"! to 5h %h the " m +a& t e" an7 ana+o* e" 6et5een h m"e+f an7 S%hm tt &efe&- The"e )%on"te++at on"! a&e #o"" 6+e 6e%a$"e Benjam n an7 S%hm tt "ha&e a %ommon 5a' of th n9 n* 5h %h %o$+7 6e 7e"%& 6e7 a" )metho7 %a+ e/t&em "m!: the %on( %t on that on+' an e# "temo+o* %a+ o& entat on 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 $+t mate+' meta#h'" %a+ o&7e&- Both th n9e&" th$" 7e%+a&e the & o5n "tate of eme&*en%', a metho7o+o* %a+ 7 &e%t on 5h %h " not j$"t %on" 7e&e7 to 6e $n$"$a+, 6$t e(en )7an*e&o$"!, name+' n"ofa& a" %e&ta n #&a%t %a+ %on"e8$en%e" ma' 6e + n9e7 to th " 5a' of th n9 n*-

FLEETING ENCOENTERS It " $n+ 9e+' that Benjam n an7 S%hm tt e(e& a%t$a++' met- If 5e 7 "%o$nt t5o %a"$a+ &efe&en%e" to S%hm tt n Benjam n!" 5o&9 0II, .;?= an7 GI, =.24, the & )en%o$nte&! %an 6e &e7$%e7 to th&ee moment" n t me- In h " "t$7' of the Ba&o8$e mo$&n n* #+a', Benjam n &efe&" "e(e&a+ t me" to S%hm tt!" *olitische Theologie-< Benjam n fo++o5" th " $# n .2;D 6' "en7 n* a "ho&t +ette& to S%hm tt, to*ethe& 5 th a %o#' of the 6oo9 Ursprung des eutschen Trauerspiels, n 5h %h he 5& te" that the metho7 an7 the %ontent of h " &e"ea&%h on the Ge&man mo$&n n* #+a' a&e n7e6te7 to "ome of S%hm tt!" 6oo9"- ? F na++', "ome t5ent'-f (e 'ea&" +ate&, S%hm tt &e"#on7" to Benjam n!" +ette& 6' 7e(ot n* a %o$#+e of #a*e" to the +atte&!" nte&#&etat on of Sha9e"#ea&e n h " "t$7' of Ham+et- 1 The"e th&ee n"tan%e" 5 ++ f$&the& 7ete&m ne the "t&$%t$&e of th " e""a'- In the ne/t "e%t on, the f &"t t5o 5 ++ 6e 7 "%$""e7, n the +a"t "e%t on 5e 5 ++ t$&n to S%hm tt!" #o"th$mo$" an"5e& to Benjam n- F &"t, ho5e(e&, 5e 5 ++ e/#+o&e the mean n* of th " f+eet n* en%o$nte& 6et5een a Je5 "h ma&/ "t an7 a Catho+ % +a5'e&Benjam n!" afo&ement one7 +ette&, mo&e than an'th n* e+"e, ha" &a "e7 a #$::+ n* 8$e"t on fo& the &ea7e&" an7 "$##o&te&" of the mem6e&" of the F&an9f$&t S%hoo+ n the "e(ent e" an7 e *ht e": ho5 " t #o"" 6+e that the&e " a %e&ta n aff n t' n metho7 an7 a##&oa%h 6et5een the 5a'5a&7, "ome5hat m'"t %a+ ma&/ "t an7 the & *ht-5 n* #o+ t %a+ "% ent "t 5ho, afte& the Se%on7 Wo&+7 Wa&, 5a" *ene&a++' %on" 7e&e7 to ha(e 6een the
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*olitische Theologie: +ier ,apitel zur -ehre .on der Sou.er$nit$t H.2==I, Fo$&th m#& nt 0Be&+ n: D$n%9e& J H$m6+ot, .2134- See Ursprung des eutschen Trauerspiels H.2=3I I, =A3-=A< 0note" .A, .< an7 .?4? I, 11?1 Ca&+ S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a: er 1in0ruch der Zeit in das Spiel 0St$tt*a&t: K+ett-Cotta, .22;=L f &"t e7 t on DM""e+7o&fFKN+n: E$*en D e7e& %h" Ge&+a*, .23<4-

)C&o5n-a##o nte7 +a5'e& of the Na: "!O2 Co$%he7 n the"e te&m", the 8$e"t on #&o6a6+' &e(ea+" mo&e a6o$t the nee7 fo& %+ea& mo&a+-#o+ t %a+ 7 ( 7 n* + ne" n the #o"t-5a& 0Ge&man4 nte++e%t$a+ %+ mate than a6o$t the %om#+e/ nte++e%t$a+ $n (e&"e of the We ma& Re#$6+ %- Th " nee7 ma' a+"o e/#+a n 5h' the +ette&, on A7o&no!" n t at (e, 5a" not n%+$7e7 n the t5o(o+$me e7 t on of Benjam n!" +ette&" n .2<<-.D Benjam n!" &ema&9 to G&ete+ A7o&no a6o$t h " )7an*e&o$" + a "on"! " %onf &me7 6' the Je5 "h #h +o"o#he& Ja%o6 Ta$6e" 0.2=?-.21?4, 5ho"e %ont& 6$t on to the "o+$t on of th " )m'"te&'! " %on" 7e&a6+e- Ta$6e" not on+' ha7 a 7ee# aff n t' 5 th Benjam n!" tho$*ht, 6$t " a+"o the one 5ho "ha#e7 the nte++e%t$a+ en%o$nte& 6et5een Benjam n an7 S%hm tt afte& the "e%on7 Wo&+7 Wa&- H " )ne*at (e me"" an "m!, 5h %h he "omet me" a+"o %a++" )ne*at (e #o+ t %a+ theo+o*'!.. ma' 6e mo&e %+o"e+' &e+ate7 to Benjam n!" h "to& %a+-#h +o"o#h %a+ #o" t on, 6$t he a+"o a7m t" to ha( n* 7e(o$&e7 the te/t" of the %ont&o(e&" a+ +a5'e& n h " 'o$th an7 that ) f he +ea&ne7 an'th n*, he +ea&ne7 f&om S%hm tt-! .= To5a&7" the en7 of h " + fe, Ta$6e" a+"o ha7 e"ta6+ "he7 a #e&"ona+ %onta%t 5 th the %ont&o(e&" a+ #o+ t %a+ "% ent "t- It 5a" no %o n% 7en%e that the %on(e&"at on 5a" a6o$t Pa$+, the Je5 5ho 6e%ame the fo$n7e& of Ch& "t an t' afte& an )e/%e#t ona+! e/#e& en%eBenjam n an7 S%hm tt a##ea& to a""$me that the #o"" 6 + t' of the e/%e#t on n #o+ t %" %an on+' 6e tho$*ht 6' ana+o*' 5 th the 7 ( ne nte&(ent on- Th " not on %an n7ee7 * (e a +a"t n* &e+e(an%e to the #o+ t %a+-theo+o* %a+ pro0lem, the n7e6te7ne"" of th n9 n* a6o$t #o+ t %" to "#ea9 n* a6o$t Go7- Fo& the #o"" 6 + t' of an e/%e#t on m#+ e" the #o"" 6 + t' of an in.asion o& a 0rea"ing of no&ma+ t', 5h %h th$" a##ea&" a" a f&a* +e %on"t&$%t- It " on th " #o nt that Ta$6e" "$%%ee7e7 n &e%on"t&$%t n* the theo&et %a+ en%o$nte& 6et5een Benjam n an7 S%hm tt- The #a""a*e" f&om *olitische Theologie 8$ote7 6' Ta$6e" n h " o5n 6oo9 on Pa$+ a++ &e(o+(e a&o$n7 the m#o&tan%e S%hm tt atta%he" to the %on%e#t of )e/%e#t on! 0Ausnahme4 an7 the )"tate of eme&*en%'! 0Ausnahmezustand4 fo& h " o5n +e*a+ 7o%t& ne-.; An7 Benjam n a" 5e++ a" S%hm tt, fo++o5e7 6' Ta$6e", t$&n th " not on nto a metho7 at the "ame t me: the' th n9 f&om the #e&"#e%t (e of e/t&eme #o" t on" 5h %h 6&ea9 th&o$*h
2

See fo& n"tan%e N- Bo+:, )Cha& "ma $n7 So$(e&@n t@t: Ca&+ S%hm tt $n7 Wa+te& Benjam n m S%hatten Ma/ We6e&", n er 2rst dieser 'elt: )arl Schmitt und die 2olgen, e7 te7 6' J- Ta$6e" 0MMn%hen: W +he+m F n9 Ge&+a*FGe&+a* Fe&7 nan7 S%hNn n*h, .21;4, #- =A2.D %riefe, = (o+"-, e7 te7 6' G- S%ho+em an7 T-W- A7o&no 0F&an9f$&t am Ma n: S$h&9am#, .2<<4- See a+"o SWe6e&, )Ta9 n* E/%e#t on to De% " on: Wa+te& Benjam n an7 Ca&+ S%hm tt!, n 0e7"-4, 1nlightenments: 1ncounters 0et!een )ritical Theor3 and )ontemporar3 2rench Thought, e7 te7 6' H- K$nneman an7 H- 7e G& e" 0Kam#en: Ko9 Pha&o", .22;4, ##- .A.-.<... See M- Te&#"t&a an7 T- 7e W t, )4o spiritual in.estment in the !orld as it is: On the ne*at (e #o+ t %a+ theo+o*' of Ja%o6 Ta$6e"!, n 2light of the Gods5 *hilosophical *erspecti.es on 4egati.e Theolog3 , e7 te7 6' I-N- B$+hof an7 L- ten Kate 0Ne5 Bo&9: Fo&7ham En (e&" t' P&e"", =DDD4.= J- Ta$6e", ie *olitische Theologie des *aulus 0MMn%hen: W +he+m F n9 Ge&+a*, .22;4, #- .;?.; J- Ta$6e", ie *olitische Theologie des *aulus, ##- 12ff-

no&ma+ t'- A" Benjam n!" 6etztzeit nte&&$#t" the )#&o*&e""! of h "to&' %on%e (e7 6' h "to& % "m, S%hm tt!" )fo&%e of &ea+ + fe!, a" t %ome" to the fo&e n the e/%e#t on to the +e*a+ &$+e, 6&ea9" the )a$tomat "m! of the +e*a+ o&7e& )& * 7 f e7 n &e#et t on!- A " m +a& tho$*ht " #$t fo&5a&7 6' S%hm tt n h " "t$7' of /amlet, a" 5e 5 ++ "ee +ate&- He %on" 7e&" the e/%e#t on to 6e )mo&e nte&e"t n* than the no&m- No&ma+ t' #&o(e" noth n*, the e/%e#t on #&o(e" e(e&'th n*L t not on+' %onf &m" the &$+e, the &$+e + (e" on+' off the e/%e#t on-!.A In h " e/#o" t on of S%hm tt, Ta$6e" &em n7" $" of the "ame 7ef n t on of "o(e&e *nt' that n"# &e7 Benjam n: )So$(e&@n "t, 5e& M6e& 7en A$"nahme:$"tan7 ent"%he 7et-! .3 F&om h " %ommenta&' of th " 7ef n t on, t 6e%ome" a##a&ent that Ta$6e" &ea7" t f&om a h "to& %a+#h +o"o#h %a+ #e&"#e%t (e f&om the (e&' on"et: )Th " " a +a5'e& 5& t n*, not a theo+o* an- B$t this is no praise of secularization , t " a &e(e+at on-! .< De"# te th " fa"% nat on, he " fo&%e7 to %on%+$7e, 5 th &efe&en%e to one of Benjam n!" famo$" ma*e": )An7 'et I 7ete%te7 n e(e&' 5o&7 of Ca&+ S%hm tt "ometh n* 5h %h 5a" a+ en to me, a fea& an7 an/ et' fo& the "to&m 5h %h th&eatene7 n the "e%$+a& :e7 me"" an % a&&o5 of ma&/ "m-!.? To Benjam n, the %om n* of the Me"" ah C 5h %h " 8$ te &ea+ to h m, an7 not an )a" f! a" t " to A7o&no.1 C " the e/t&eme #e&"#e%t (e f&om 5h %h he th n9" h "to&'- H "to&' " th$" not on+' a t me 5h %h %an 6e 6&o9en off, 6$t a+"o a t me 5h %h %an 6e nte&&$#te7 an7 6&o$*ht to a ha+t, t me an7 a*a n: the )"#+ nte&"! of me"" an % t me-.2 Th " " one of the ma*e" Benjam n $"e" to th n9 the #&e"en%e of a 7 ( ne h "to&' nto h$man h "to&'- Benjam n the&e6' "$6"%& 6e" not on+' to a %& t 8$e of h "to& % "m, 5ho"e a7he&ent" 7e"%& 6e h "to&' a" an en7+e""+' #&o*&e"" n* f$t$&e-o& ente7 %ont n$o$" + nea& 7e(e+o#ment "o+ate7 5 th n t"e+f, 6$t a+"o to the %on"t&$%t on of a h "to& o*&a#h' 6&$"h n* a*a n"t the *&a n- The +atte& #o&t&a'" #&o*&e"" not a" the 7ee#e& 7e"t nat on of h "to&', 6$t n a #o+ t %a+ "en"e: a" a "e& e" of ( %to& e" 5 th %$+t$&a+ he& ta*e a" the )"#o +"!- Bet th " ( %to&' a+"o &efe&" to the ( %t m" 5ho ha(e "$n9 nto o6+ ( on an7 7o not fo&m #a&t of %$+t$&e- Com#a&e7 to th " 7 "to&t on of h "to&', Benjam n *ene&ate" a &a7 %a++' 7 ffe&ent %on%e#t n 5h %h t me 0#a"t, #&e"ent an7

.A

)D e A$"nahme "t nte&e""ante& a+" 7e& No&ma+fa++- Da" No&ma+e 6e5e "t n %ht", 7 e A$"nahme 6e:e %hnet a++e"L " e 6e"t@t *t n %ht n$& 7 e Re*e+, 7 e Re*e+ +e6t M6e&ha$#t n$& (on 7e& A$"nahme-! 0S%hm tt, *olitische Theologie, #- ==, 8$ote7 n Ta$6e", ie *olitische Theologie des *aulus, #- 2D4.3 )So(e&e *n " he 5ho 7e% 7e" on the "tate of eme&*en%'-! 0S%hm tt, #- ..L 8$ote7 n Ta$6e", #- 124.< )H e& "%h&e 6t e n J$& "t, 9e n Theo+o*e- A6e& 7a" "t "ein -o0 der S$"ularisierung , "on7e&n e ne EnthM++$n*-! 0Ta$6e", #- 12L o$& em#ha" "4- Ta$6e" %+a m" that Benjam n " 7e7 5 th S%hm tt on the #o nt of )the "t&$**+e a*a n"t h "to& % "m! 0Ad )arl Schmitt, #- =<4.? )En7 7o%h "#M&te %h n je7em Wo&t (on Ca&+ S%hm tt e n m & F&em7e", jene F$&%ht $n7 An*"t (o& 7em Sto&m, 7e& m "@9$+a& " e&ten me"" an "%hen Pfe + 7e" Ma&/ "m$" +a$e&te-! 0Ta$6e", Ad )arl Schmitt, #- .D an7 #- .34.1 Ta$6e", ie *olitische Theologie des *aulus, #- .D; ff.2 I, ?DA-

f$t$&e4 ha" 6een %ont&a%te7 nto a 6etztzeit, 5h %h " e""ent a++' a &et&o"#e%t on, &emem6&an%e an7 %ommemo&at on an7 n 5h %h #&o*&e"" ha" 6een %a++e7 to a ha+tTh " #o" t on " a+"o &a7 %a+ n the "en"e that Benjam n 7oe" not f n7 h m"e+f 6o$n7 to the ( %to& e" 5h %h the f$t$&e ma' offe&, no& e(en to an' 9 n7 of mmanent-h "to& %a++' fo$n7e7 7$t' to %oo#e&ate 5 th the en7+e"" ta"9 of &ea+ : n* the %+a""+e"" "o% et': the&e a&e no )mean n*f$+ #o+ t %a+ *oa+"!-=D 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&a7 t on 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 %& t 8$e of the "o% a+ 7emo%&at", Benjam n 5& te" that the "t&$**+e of the 5o&9 n* %+a"" "ho$+7 not 6e a me7 to5a&7" the + 6e&at on of f$t$&e *ene&at on", 6$t to5a&7" the &e7em#t on of #a"t *ene&at on" C the o##&e""e7 f&om the #a"t 5h %h ha(e 6een 7e+ete7 f&om h "to&'-== The &e(o+$t on the&efo&e a##ea&" to Benjam n n the f &"t #+a%e not a" a #o+ t %a+ e(ent, a 7e% " (e moment n #o+ t %a+ h "to&' f&om 5h %h a %+ea& ( %to& 5 ++ eme&*e, 6$t a" an e(ent 5 th a theo+o* %a+ " *n f %at on- The &e(o+$t on " a #o+ t %a+-theo+o* %a+ #henomenon 5ho"e &oot" m$"t 6e "o$*ht at the 6e* nn n* of mo7e&n t'-

REGOLETION, SOGEREIGNTB, STATE OF EMERGENCB Both Benjam n an7 S%hm tt 5e&e 5 tne"" to 5hat 5a" #&o6a6+' the 5o&"t %& " " e(e& on the E$&o#ean %ont nent: the F &"t Wo&+7 Wa&, the R$"" an Re(o+$t on an7 0the th&eat of4 % ( + 5a&" 5e&e e(ent" 5h %h fo&%e7 not on+' them, 6$t mo"t m#o&tant nte++e%t$a+" to th n9 a6o$t ( o+en%e an7 %ata"t&o#he- Both Benjam n an7 S%hm tt &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#o nt" a&e 7 amet& %a++' o##o"e7 to one anothe&- In a "ho&t e# +o*$e to Benjam n!" ,riti" der Ge!alt n .2<A, He&6e&t Ma&%$"e "$mma& :e7 h " tho$*ht a" fo++o5": )On+' &a&e+' ha" the t&$th a6o$t %& t %a+ theo&' e(e& 6een fo&m$+ate7 n "$%h an e/em#+a&' 5a': the &e(o+$t ona&' "t&$**+e " %on%e&ne7 5 th the "$"#en" on of 5hat ha##en" an7 5hat ha" ha##ene7 C 6efo&e a++ #o" t (e a m", th " ne*at (e a"#e%t " the f &"t #o" t (e one-!=;

=D

See a+"o K+a$"-M- Ko7a++e, )Wa+te& Benjam n" Po+ t "%he& De: " on "m$" m Theo+o* "%hen Konte/t!, n Spiegel und Gleichnis, e7 te7 6' N- Bo+: an7 W- HM6ene& 0WM&:6$&*: KNn n*ha$"en J Ne$mann, .21;4, #- ;D2 ff=. )Denn n h& 5a& je7e Se9$n7e 7 e 9+e ne Pfo&te, 7$&%h 7 e 7e& Me"" a" t&eten 9onnte-! 0I, ?DA4== I, .=;<-.=;?=; He&6e&t Ma&%$"e, )Na%h5o&t!, n Wa+te& Benjam n, Zur ,riti" der Ge!alt und Andere Aufs$tze 0F&an9f$&t am Ma n: S$h&9am#, .2?.4, #- .DA-

The &e(o+$t on an7 the 6att+e of a##&o#& at on that &a*e" a&o$n7 t %an n7ee7 6e "een a" a %ent&a+ #o nt of Benjam n!" 5o&9, an7 t %an 6e + n9e7 to one of the mo"t m#o&tant %on%e#t" n S%hm tt!" #o+ t %a+ th n9 n*- The &e(o+$t on " the moment of the mo"t &a7 %a+ t$&no(e& of a "o% o-#o+ t %a+ o&7e&- Ra7 %a+: the &e(o+$t on to$%he" $#on the &oot" of th " o&7e&, n othe& 5o&7" at the (e&' th n*" that %on"t t$te th " o&7e&- An o&7e&, ho5e(e&, " not %&eate7 ex nihilo, 6$t th&o$*h a "t&$**+e 5 th an othe&, #&e%e7 n* o&7e& 5h %h %an no +on*e& f n7 the "t&en*th to 7efen7 t"e+f- Re(o+$t on " th$" n the f &"t #+a%e %ha&a%te& :e7 6' an am6 *$o$" &e+at on"h # 6et5een 7e"t&$%t on an7 fo$n7at on- The &e(o+$t on " not me&e+' a ( o+ent t&an" t on #e& o7 f&om one o&7e& to the othe&- On the %ont&a&': t" am6 *$ t' &e(ea+" a 7 "%ont n$ t'Bet5een the t5o moment", h "to& %a+ t me ha" 6een "to##e7, a" t 5e&e- The mmo6 + "at on of t me n the f &"t #+a%e &e(ea+" the f$n7amenta+ o& meta#h'" %a+ ++e* t ma%' of e(e&' "o% o-#o+ t %a+ o&7e&- Fo& at th " %&$% a+ moment 5hen the o+7 o&7e& ha" a+&ea7' %ea"e7 to f$n%t on )no&ma++'! 6$t the ne5 o&7e& ha" not 'et 6een e"ta6+ "he7, e(e&' +e* t mat on "eem" to &e"t on 8$ %9"an7- F&om the #e&"#e%t (e of the o+7 o&7e&, the &e(o+$t on " 6' 7ef n t on ++e* t mate, 5he&ea" the o&7e& 5h %h +e* t mate" t 7oe" not 'et e/ "t 6$t n ant % #at on- Bet n the a6"en%e of a++ +e* t ma%' the #&e"en%e of a h'#e&+e* t ma%', of an )e/%e""! of +a5, "h ne" 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 t me, th " %+a"h &e(ea+" that t " a##a&ent+' not * (en to man9 n7 to 9ee# the +a5 o& j$"t %e n han7"- Con"e&(at (e ( o+en%e, 5h %h "t& (e" to ma nta n the o+7 o&7e&, a" 5e++ a" the &e(o+$t ona&' ( o+en%e 5h %h "ee9" to e"ta6+ "h a ne5 o&7e& 6oth %ont&a7 %t the a6 + t' of man9 n7 to 7o j$"t %e n an a6"o+$te "en"eThe %on%e#t of no&ma+ t', on the othe& han7, 7eman7" that e(e&' tho$*ht of fo$n7at on, &e(o+$t on o& 7e"t&$%t on 6e 6an "he7: t ta9e" the a%t of fo$n7at on an7 th$" of #o"" 6+e 7e"t&$%t on o& &e(o+$t on a" the + m t of tho$*ht, 5h %h ma' not 6e %&o""e7- Th " " 5h', Benjam n "$"#e%t", the mono#o+' on ( o+en%e of the E$&o#ean %on"t t$t ona+ "tate " not "o m$%h 7 &e%te7 a*a n"t the ( o+en%e of the n7 ( 7$a+ #$&"$ n* ++e* t mate a m", a" t " nten7e7 fo& the #&ote%t on of the +e*a+ order-=A Le* t ma%' an7 +e*a+ t' %o n% 7e n the "o% o#o+ t %a+ o&7e& that ha" e"ta6+ "he7 t"e+f a" no&ma+ t'The &$+e of no&ma+ t' a##ea&" mo"t %+ea&+' n the 7om nan%e of #o" t ( "m, 5h %h " m#+' ta9e" the e/ "t n* +a5 a" an n%onte"ta6+e #o nt of 7e#a&t$&e- Bet #o" t ( "m " $na6+e to #&o( 7e an an"5e& to mo&e o& +e"" &a7 %a+ %ha++en*e" to no&ma+ t'- )Con"t t$t ona+ +a5 fa%e" t" + m t he&e!, " ho5 S%hm tt &ea7 h " %o++ea*$e G- An"%hMt:- A" an an"5e& to "$%h an7 + 9e
=A

II, .1;-

%ha++en*e", the' ta9e &ef$*e n 8$a" -t&an"%en7ent +e* t mat on", fo& 5h %h the 7o%t& ne of nat$&a+ +a5 " e/em#+a&'Bet 5e %an on+' "#ea9 of t&$e t&an"%en7en%e 5hen t %an 6e "ho5n that the a$tonomo$" an7 "o+ate7 no&ma+ t', #&e"ent n the 7ent t' of +e*a+ t' an7 +e* t ma%' o& n the 7e& (at on 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$*h man' %ont n$e7 to %+ n* to the & fa th n e7 f' n* "o% a+ fo&%e", + 9e the &at ona+ t' of "% en%e, e%onom' an7 te%hno+o*', the "o#h "t %at on of the +e*a+ "'"tem an7 the 7e(e+o#ment of a #a% f' n* nte&nat ona+ +a5, th " 5a" not ha&7 to 7emon"t&ate at the t me 5hen Benjam n an7 S%hm tt 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&eO The e/#e& en%e that the )"tate of eme&*en%'! " the &$+e " not a+ en to the e&a n 8$e"t on- B$t the e/#e& en%e an7 #o+ t %a+ 7e%+a&at on of the "tate of eme&*en%' 6' 7ef n t on "#a5n" (e&' n$me&o$" an7 (e&' 7 (e&"e off"#& n*-=3 S%hm tt!" an"5e& to h " o5n 7 a*no" " of the $n"ta6+e fo$n7at on of no&ma+ t' 0 n th " %a"e the We ma& Re#$6+ %4 %o$+7 6e %a++e7 "atechontic: 5h %h o&7e& %an %he%9 f$&the& 7e%a'O S%hm tt fo$n7 the e/#&e"" on )9at-e%hon! n the "e%on7 +ette& to the The""a+on an" 0=:<-14, 5he&e t &efe&" to the f *$&e 5ho #&e(ent" the ( %to&' of Satan, an7 $"e7 t to n7 %ate e(e&' fo&%e to &e" "t the Ant %h& "t- =< L 9e5 "e, Benjam n!" an"5e& " not "$6"e&( ent to the e/ "t n* o&7e& of We ma& an7 %an 6e %ha&a%te& :e7 a" messianic: on+' a 7 " ++$" one7 &ea7 n* of the 7e%a' o#en" the #o"" 6 + t' of "a+(at on, the )&ea+ "tate of eme&*en%'!- The"e an"5e&" %an 6e &e7$%e7 to 7 ffe&ent nte&#&etat on" of the a6o(e ment one7 moment 6et5een the 7e"t&$%t on of an o&7e& an7 the fo$n7at on of anothe& C a 7 ffe&ent h "to& %a+-#h +o"o#h %a+, e(en h "to& %a+-theo+o* %a+ nte&#&etat on of the so.ereignt3 +o%ate7 n that moment- An7 a" 5e #o nte7 o$t a6o(e, 6oth a$tho&" *o 6a%9 to the +e*a+-theo+o* %a+ 7&amat %" of "e(enteenth-%ent$&' Ba&o8$eSo(e&e *nt' an7 &e(o+$t on a&e th$" nt mate+' + n9e7- Th " 7oe" not 7et&a%t f&om the fa%t that th " + n9 " ma7e n( " 6+e n the a%t$a+ e/e&% "e of "o(e&e *n #o5e&: the memo&' an7 #&e(ent on of &e(o+$t on a&e e/o&% "e7 an7, 5he&e #o"" 6+e, "o " the (e&' 7ea of "o(e&e *nt' t"e+f- So(e&e *nt' ma&9" the "#ot 5he&e the &e(o+$t on too9 #+a%e, 5h %h " a+"o the "#ot 5he&e a &e(o+$t on %an ta9e #+a%e a*a n- Th$" "o(e&e *nt' 6' 7ef n t on n7 %ate" not on+' the %ent&e of #o+ t %a+ #o5e&, 6$t a+"o the #&e%a& o$" nat$&e of #o+ t %a+ #o5e& an7 o&7e& a" "$%h=3

R-Kone&"mann "#ea9" n th " %onte/t of the )#&ofo$n7 am6 (a+en%e of the e/t&eme! 0 1rstarrte Unruhe: 'alter %en(amins %egriff der Geschichte 0F&an9f$&t am Ma n: F "%he&, .22.4, #- ..A4=< See C- S%hm tt, Glossarium: Aufzeichnungen der 6ahre 789:-78;7 0Be&+ n: D$n%9e& J H$m6+ot, .22.4, #- <; an7 er 4omos der 1rde 0Be&+ n: D$n%9e& J H$m6+ot, .23D4, #- =2-

THE SOGEREIGN S%hm tt!" famo$" an"5e& to the 8$e"t on of the "$6je%t of "o(e&e *nt' nte&(ene" #& ma& +' n a "t& %t+' +e*a+ 7 "%$"" on- A%%o&7 n* to a &e%ent &e%on"t&$%t on, =? h " 7ef n t on of "o(e&e *nt' 5a" &ema&9a6+e n t5o #o nt" at +ea"t- P&om nent %on"t t$t ona+ +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"t t$t ona+ 6o7 e" 5 th "t& %t+' 7ema&%ate7 %om#eten%e", pou.oirs constitu<s- Th " nte&#&etat on m#+ e7 that the #&a%t %a+ " *n f %an%e of "o(e&e *nt' &ema ne7 + m te7 to n7e#en7en%e $n7e& nte&nat ona+ +a5, the "o-%a++e7 sou.erainet< ext<rieure- Sou.erainet< int<rieure ha7 6e%ome a "$#e&f+$o$" not on, a" the feat$&e" of "o(e&e *nt' ha7 6een 8$ et+' t&an"fe&&e7 to "tate #o5e& n *ene&a+, 6e%om n* + m te7 %om#eten%e" an7 th$", a" t 5e&e, %on"t t$t ona++' mmo6 + :e7- S%hm tt t$&n" a*a n"t th " ne$t&a+ :at on of the sou.erainet< int<rieureIn the "e%on7 #+a%e, an7 n %+o"e %onne%t on to the #&e( o$" #o nt, he nt&o7$%e" a ne5 nte&#&etat on of Bo7 n!" 7o%t& ne of "o(e&e *nt'- A%%o&7 n* to S%hm tt, on+' a %+o"e "%&$t n' of the %+a"" %a+ " /teenth- an7 "e(enteenth-%ent$&' a$tho&"! )en7+e""+' &e#eate7, %om#+ete+' ho++o5 #h&a"e"! a6o$t "$#&eme #o5e& 5 ++ &e(ea+ the #&a%t %a+ %o&e of the 7o%t& ne of "o(e&e *nt'- In the f &"t 6oo9 of h " -es Six -i.res de la R<pu0li=ue 0.31;4, Bo7 n * (e" man' #&a%t %a+ e/am#+e", %on"tant+' &et$&n n* to the 8$e"t on n ho5 fa& the mona&%h " 6o$n7 to +a5" an7 n ho5 fa& he ha" o6+ *at on" to5a&7" the e"tate"- H " an"5e& " that the mona&%h " 6o$n7 to +a5" e/%e#t si la n<cessit< est urgente- B' &efe&& n* 6a%9 to the eme&*en%' %a"e, Bo7 n a&& (e7 at h " nte&#&etat on of "o(e&e *nt' a" an n7 ( " 6+e $n t', ) nt&o7$% n* the 7e% " on nto the %on%e#t of "o(e&e *nt'!: the a$tho& t' to a6o+ "h the "tat$to&' +a5" " the a%t$a+ ma&9 of "o(e&e *nt'-=1 F&om th ", S%hm tt 7&a5" the fo++o5 n* %on%+$" on: )The e/%e#t ona+ %a"e &e(ea+" the e""en%e of "tate a$tho& t' mo"t %+ea&+'- He&e the 7e% " on "e#a&ate" t"e+f f&om the +e*a+ no&m an7 0#a&a7o/ %a++'4 a$tho& t' #&o(e" that, n o&7e& to %&eate a +a5, t nee7 not a%t$a++' 6e

=?

H- P$a& t"%h, )So$(e&@n t@t m A$"nahme:$"tan7: Q$m So$(e&@n t@t"6e*& ff m We&9 Ca&+ S%hm tt"!, er Staat, ;3 0.22<4, ##- .-;D- See a+"o T-W-A- 7e W t, e >nont"oom0aarheid .an de *olitie": e Soe.ereine +i(and in de *olitie"e 2ilosofie .an )arl Schmitt 0N jme*en: Pom##e&", .22=4, #- =? ff=1 S%hm tt, *olitische Theologie, ##- .A-.3-

& *ht-!=2 St ++ S%hm tt 7oe" not %on" 7e& the ent &e 8$e"t on to 6e a me&e #o nt of +a5- The 8$e"t on 5hethe& 5e %an & 7 o$&"e+(e" of the e/%e#t ona+ %a"e " not a +e*a+ one, 6$t )7e#en7" on #h +o"o#h %a+, #a&t %$+a&+' h "to& %a+-#h +o"o#h %a+ o& meta#h'" %a+, %on( %t on"-! ;D Mo7e&n 7e(e+o#ment" n the theo&' of +a5 5h %h ten7 to e+ m nate "o(e&e *nt' n the "en"e 7e"%& 6e7 a6o(e n7 %ate a "h ft n #o+ t %a+ meta#h'" %"- The #o"t$+at on of the 7ent t' of "tate an7 +e*a+ o&7e& "$6"%& 6e" to a 6&oa7e& 7e(e+o#ment ta9 n* #+a%e 6et5een the "e(enteenth an7 n neteenth %ent$& e": the t&an" t on f&om t&an"%en7ent to mmanent %on%e#t on"- In the "e(enteenth an7 e *hteenth %ent$&', the t&an"%en7ent #o" t on of Go7 to5a&7" the 5o&+7 an7 of the "o(e&e *n to5a&7" the "tate a&e meta#h'" %a++' "e+f-e( 7ent- F&om the 6e* nn n* of the e *hteenth %ent$&', 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$& of o&*an % %on%e#t on" of the #eo#+e an7 the 7emo%&at % #&em "e of the 7ent t' of &$+e&" an7 "$6je%t"-;. On+' afte& the Se%on7 Wo&+7 Wa& 7 7 S%hm tt * (e h " "e(enteenth-%ent$&' #o" t on a 0h "to& %a+-4theo+o* %a+ 7 men" on- Th " " mo"t a##a&ent n h " Glossarium: )I 6e+ e(e n the ,atechonL to me th " " the on+' #o"" 6 + t', a" a %h& "t an, to $n7e&"tan7 h "to&' an7 f n7 t mean n*f$+-!;= W th the %on%e#t of ,at-echon, S%hm tt &efe&" to a m'"te& o$" #a""a*e n Pa$+, 5he&e the +atte& a7mon "he" the #& m t (e %omm$n t' of The""a+on %a, 5h %h "eem" to ha(e 6een o(e&%ome 6' an )a#o%a+'#t % fe(e&! ;;, to &ema n #at ent an7 %a+m- ;A In a%%o&7an%e 5 th Je5 "h a#o%a+'#t % "m, Pa$+ a##ea&" to 6e %on( n%e7 that the #a&o$" a of the Me"" ah 5 ++ 6e #&e%e7e7 6' a %ata"t&o#he, the &e(e+at on of the +a5+e"" one C the Ant %h& "t- Ho5e(e&, the m'"te& o$" &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&#&etat on" " n%e- S%hm tt!" nte&#&etat on %on%$&" 5 th that of the Ch$&%h Fathe&", 5ho %+a m that Pa$+!" ,at-echon 5a" meant to 7e" *nate the Roman Em# &e an7 the Roman em#e&o&- It " a 7e% " (e, f #a&a7o/ %a+, fa%to& 0%on" 7e& n* the #a*an nat$&e of th " em# &e, 5h %h 5a" not 9 n7+' 7 "#o"e7 to5a&7" the Ch& "t an"4 that th " 7ent f %at on

=2

)De& A$"nahmefa++ offen6a&t 7a" We"en 7e& "taat+ %hen A$to& t@t am 9+a&"ten- H e& "on7e&t " %h 7 e Ent"%he 7$n* (on 7e& Re%ht"no&m, $n7 0$m e" #a&a7o/ :$ fo&m$+ e&en4 7 e A$to& t@t 6e5e "t, 7aR " e, $m Re%ht :$ "%haffen, n %ht Re%ht :$ ha6en 6&a$%ht-! 0S%hm tt, *olitische Theologie, #- =D-4 ;D )H---I h@n*t (on #h +o"o#h "%hen, n"6e"on7e&e *e"%h %ht"#h +o"o#h "%hen o7e& meta#h'" "%hen >6e&:e$*$n*en a6-! 0S%hm tt, *olitische Theologie, #- .;4;. S%hm tt, *olitische Theologie, #- <D;= )H---I %h *+a$6e an 7en Kate%honL e& "t fM& m %h 7 e e n: *e MN*+ %h9e t, a+" Ch& "t Ge"%h %hte :$ (e&"tehen $n7 " nn(o++ :$ f n7en-! 0S%hm tt, Glossarium, #- <;4;; W-T& ++ n*, 8$ote7 n L- Be&tho+7, )Q$& Se+6"t*+o"" e&$n* Ca&+ S%hm tt"!, -e.iathan, =.0.22;4, #- =1?;A The #a""a*e n = Te""-=, <-1 &ea7": SAn7 'o$ 9no5 5hat " no5 &e"t&a n n* h m 09a n$n to 9ate%hon o 7ate4, "o that he ma' 6e &e(ea+e7 5hen h " t me %ome", Fo& the m'"te&' of +a5+e""ne"" " a+&ea7' at 5o&9, 6$t on+' $nt + the one 5ho no5 &e"t&a n" t 0ho 9ate%hon4 " &emo(e7- An7 then the +a5+e"" one 5 ++ 6e &e(ea+e7, 5hom the Lo&7 Je"$" 5 ++ 7e"t&o' 5 th the 6&eath of h " mo$th, ann h +at n* h m 5 th the man fe"tat on of h " %om n*-!

ma7e #o"" 6+e an affirmati.e "tan%e of Ch& "t an" to5a&7" a "e%$+a& #o5e&- It " n th " e/a%t+' that S%hm tt 7 "%o(e&" a )"en"e! of h "to&'In S%hm tt!" o# n on, the ,at-echon, the )not on of a fo&%e 5h %h ho+7" the en7 at 6a' an7 "$##&e""e" e( +!, " the 0ridge 5h %h %onne%t" the e"%hato+o* %a+ e/#e%tat on 05h %h "eem" to 7e#& (e h "to&' of a++ "en"e4 5 th a %h& "t an + fe in h "to&', 5 th an eth %a+ ta"9 an7 the fo&mat on of a #o+ t %a+ #o5e& that &e"$+t" f&om t- ;3 S%hm tt "a'" the "en"e of h "to&', the (e&' " *n e(en that h "to&' " not o(e& 'et, + e" n the #&e"en%e of a 9ate%hont % fo&%e- )Who ho+7" the Satan at 6a'O! " th$" the meta+e*a+, h "to& %a+-theo+o* %a+ 8$e"t on 5h %h "$##o&t" S%hm tt!" #h +o"o#h' of +a5A+tho$*h S%hm tt!" e/#+ % t &efe&en%e to the Pa$+ n % f *$&e of a 9ate%hont % fo&%e, a" 5e "a 7, %ome" on+' afte& the Se%on7 Wo&+7 Wa&, the #e&%e#t on of the h "to& %a+ &ea+ t' 5h %h t #&e"$##o"e" " a+&ea7' #&e"ent n *olitische Theologie- It " a #e&%e#t on a%%o&7 n* to the e/t&eme ant thet %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 ma nta n the o&7e&, 5h %h " #e&manent+' th&eatene7 6' %hao" an7 ana&%h'- Benjam n &e%o*n :e" th " ant the" " n the Ge&man 6a&o8$e mo$&n n* #+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$&"e of h "to&' n h " han7 + 9e a "%e#t&e-! ;< B$t the &a7 %a+ nat$&e of th " 7&ama a+&ea7' + e" n the fa%t that the #+a'5& *ht" 7o not #&e"ent the "#e%ta%+e of the & "e an7 fa++ of mona&%h" an7 9 n*", %on"tant+' &e#eate7 n en7+e"" (a& at on", a" a mo&a+ ta+e, 6$t a" a nat$&a+ 7e(e+o#ment 5h %h &e#&e"ent" the %o$&"e of h "to&' t"e+f- In the #+a', h "to&' %o n% 7e" 5 th the nat$&e of a fa++en %&eat on 5 tho$t ho#e of *&a%e o& "a+(at on- The Ge&man Ba&o8$e e"#e% a++' " #&o(o%at (e+' 5o&+7+'- The n" *n f %an%e of 5o&+7 e(ent" an7 the t&an" en%e of %&eat on a&e no +on*e& #&e"ente7 a" "ta*e" on a #ath to "a+(at on- )The&e " no Ba&o8$e e"%hato+o*'!, Benjam n 5& te", )an7 the&efo&e a me%han "m 5h %h $n te" an7 e/a+t" a++ th n*" mo&ta+, 6efo&e the' "$&&en7e& them"e+(e" to the & en7-!;? In 6a&o8$e mo$&n n* #+a'", the "o(e&e *n no +on*e& a##ea&" a" the ea&th+' &ef+e%t on of Go7!" t&an"%en7en%e, 6$t &athe& a" the mo"t e/t&eme e/#&e"" on of the mmanen%e of h " %&eat on: )The %&eat$&e+' "tat$", the *&o$n7 on 5h %h the mo$&n n* #+a' ta9e" #+a%e, $n7en a6+' 7ete&m ne" the "o(e&e *n too- No matte& ho5 h *h he " t" enth&one7 a6o(e "$6je%t an7 "tate, h " &an9 " en%+o"e7 5 th n the %&eate7 5o&+7L he " +o&7
;3 ;<

C- S%hm tt, )D&e St$fen h "to& "%he& S nn*e6$n*!, Uni.ersitas 3F1 0.23D4, #- 2=2)De& So$(e&@n &e#&@"ent e&t 7 e Ge"%h %hte- E& h@+t 7a" h "to& "%he Ge"%hehen n 7e& Han7 5 e e n S:e#te&-! 0I, =A34;? )E" * 6t 9e ne 6a&o%9e E"%hato+o* eL $n7 e6en 7a&$m e nen Me%han "m$", 7e& a++e" E&7*e6o&ne h@$ft $n7 e/a+t e&t, 6e(o& e" " %h 7em En7e M6e&+ efe&t-! 0I, =A<4-

of %&eat$&e", 6$t he &ema n" a %&eat$&e-! ;1 Th " "tat$" " a+"o the *&o$n7 fo& h " 7o5nfa++- A &a7 %a++' mmanent 5o&+7 e/%+$7e" the hete&o*ene t' o& t&an"%en7en%e of a 7e% " on- ;2 The "o(e&e *n, 5 th 5hom &e"t" the 7e% " on on the "tate of eme&*en%', )#&o(e" at the (e&' f &"t o##o&t$n t' that he " ha&7+' %a#a6+e of a 7e% " on at a++-! AD 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 %&eat on!Ho5e(e&, the %on( %t on 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$&e of the ( o+en%e he #e&#et&ate"- Th$" the t'&ant %an t&an"fo&m h m"e+f nto a ma&t'&- A #e&fe%t e/am#+e of th " " the 7&amat % #o&t&a'a+ of 9 n* He&o7, 5ho )a" the (e&' # nna%+e of %&eat on e&$#t" n a (o+%an % &a*e, 7e"t&o' n* h m"e+f an7 h " ent &e %o$&t- HTI He fa++" 6a%9 nto the "tat$" of a me&e mo&ta+, a ( %t m of the 7 "#&o#o&t on of the $n+ m te7 h e&a&%h %a+ 7 *n t' 5h %h Go7 ha" 6e"to5e7 $#on h m-!A. The ta"9 of the t'&ant, a" 5e "a 7 a6o(e, 5a" a &e"to&at on of the o&7e&, the $to# a of the a*e, the e"ta6+ "hment of an ) &on %on"t t$t on of nat$&a+ +a5"! &e#+a% n* a 7 "o&7e&+' h "to&' C a ne5 %&eat on- An7 t " e/a%t+' on th " #o nt that the mo"t m#o&tant 7 ffe&en%e 6et5een S%hm tt an7 Benjam n " " t$ate7A POSTHEMOES ANSWER S%hm tt!" an"5e& to Benjam n!" +ette& f&om .2;D fo++o5" #o"th$mo$"+', t5ent'-f (e 'ea&" afte& the +ette&, f fteen 'ea&" afte& the 7eath of t" a$tho&, n a "t$7' on Sha9e"#ea&e!" /amlet f&om .23<- S%hm tt "#ea9" (e&' h *h+' of the .2=1 e7 t on of Benjam n!" Ursprung des deutschen Trauerspiels: )The 6oo9 " f$++ of n" *ht", 5 th &e*a&7 to the h "to&' of a&t an7 %$+t$&e, 6$t a+"o 5 th &e*a&7 to Sha9e"#ea&e!" 7&ama, nota6+' h " /amlet-!A= S%hm tt o6( o$"+' 7 7 not fa + to not %e that Benjam n 8$ote7 h m n the 6oo9, an7 n #a"" n* he a+"o ment on" the +ette&-A;
;1

)D e E6ene 7e" S%hN#f$n*""tan7", 7e& Bo7en, a$f 7em 7a" T&a$e&"# e+ " %h a6&o++t, 6e"t mmt *an: $n(e&9enn6a& a$%h 7en So$(e&@n- So ho%h e& M6e& Ente&tan $n7 Staat a$%h th&ont, "e n Ran* "t n 7e& S%hN#f$n*"5e+t 6e"%h+o""en, e& "t 7e& He&& 7e& K&eat$&en, a6e& e& 6+e 6t K&eat$&-! 0I, =<;-=<A4;2 See We6e&, )Ta9 n* E/%e#t on to De% " on: Wa+te& Benjam n an7 Ca&+ S%hm tt!, #- .33, AD )De& FM&"t, 6e 7em 7 e Ent"%he 7$n* M6e& 7en A$"nahme:$"tan7 &$ht, e&5e "t n 7e& e&"t6e"ten S t$at on, 7aR e n Ent"%h+$R hm fa"t $nmN*+ %h "t-! 0I, =3D4A. )H---I 7e& G #fe+ 7e& K&eat$&, a$"6&e%hen7 n 7e& Ra"e&e 5 e e n G$+9an $n7 m t a++em $m+ e*en7en Hof"taat " %h "e+6e& (e&n %hten7- H---I e& f@++t a+" O#fe& e ne" M R(e&h@+tn ""e" 7e& $n6e"%h&@n9ten h e&a&%h "%hen WM&7e, m t 5e+%he& Gott hn n(e"t e&t, :$m Stan7e "e ne" a&men Men"%hen5e"en"-! 0I, =3D4A= )A6e& 7a" B$%h "t &e %h an 6e7e$ten7en E n" %hten $n7 D$&%h6+ %9en, "o5oh+ fM& 7 e K$n"t- $n7 Ge "te"*e"%h %hte M6e&ha$#t, 5 e a$%h fM& Sha9e"#ea&e" D&ama $n7 nament+ %h fM& "e nen Ham+et-! 0S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- <=4A; S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- <A-

The"e 5o&7" of #&a "e a&e not j$"t to %om#en"ate fo& the (e&' %& t %a+ note" to Benjam n!" nte&#&etat on of /amlet n an )1x"urs-! The' e/#&e"" a metho7o+o* %a+ aff n t': the 5a' n 5h %h the &e+at on"h # 6et5een theat&e an7 h "to&' " t&eate7- Benjam n!" mona7o+o*', a%%o&7 n* to 5h %h a " n*+e 5o&9 of a&t %an em6o7' an ent &e e&a,AA %an 6e fo$n7 n a " m +a& 5a' n S%hm tt- The f *$&e of Ham+et #e&"on f e" the #+a' /amlet, an7 6e%a$"e of the t&a*e7' 5o(en a&o$n7 the #&ota*on "t n th " mo$&n n* #+a', Ham+et h m"e+f ha" 6e%ome a m'th em nent+' %ha&a%te& "t % of the mo7e&n E$&o#ean m n7- A3 Th$" 5e en%o$nte& an ent &e e&a n /amlet- A%%o&7 n* to S%hm tt, of the th&ee *&eat "'m6o+ %a+ f *$&e" n mo7e&n E$&o#ean + te&at$&e C Don P$ /ot, Ham+et an7 Fa$"t C on+' the "e%on7 one %o$+7 6e%ome a m'th- Whe&ea" Don P$ /ot " a S#an "h-%atho+ % f *$&e an7 Fa$"t a Ge&man-#&ote"tant %ha&a%te&, Ham+et em6o7 e7 the nne& %onf+ %t of the E$&o#ean m n7 n the t me of the "e%ta& an 5a&"-A< A f$&the& aff n t', 5h %h + n9" n 5 th the 7ea that the tota+ t' %an 6e fo$n7 n a " n*+e 5o&9, %an 6e fo$n7 n the &eje%t on of a++ "#e% a+ "t a##&oa%he" to e the& #o+ t %" o& a&t "t % #henomena- P"'%ho+o* "m an7 h "to& % "m a&e a" a+ en to S%hm tt a" the' a&e to Benjam n-A? Bet th " aff n t' an7 the 5o&7" of #&a "e S%hm tt &e"e&(e" fo& Benjam n!" 6oo9 "ho$+7 not 7et&a%t $" f&om the e""ent a+ 7 ffe&en%e" 6et5een them- The&e a&e t5o "$%h 7 ffe&en%e" to 5h %h 5e 5 ++ 7 &e%t o$& attent on- The f &"t one %on%e&n" the 7 "t n%t on ma7e 6' 6oth a$tho&" 6et5een mo$&n n* #+a' an7 t&a*e7', the "e%on7 one %on%e&n" the & &e"#e%t (e ( " on of E$&o#ean h "to&' f&om the 6e* nn n* of mo7e&n t me"- In the %a"e of the f &"t 8$e"t on, S%hm tt &e"#on7" 7 &e%t+' to a 7 "t n%t on nt&o7$%e7 6' Benjam n h m"e+fL n the %a"e of the "e%on7 8$e"t on, S%hm tt "#ea9" 7 &e%t+' to Benjam n n a &athe& %on7e"%en7 n* tone a6o$t h " o5n f e+7 of n8$ &': the #o+ t %a+ h "to&' of E$&o#eIt " of %o$&"e m#o"" 6+e 5 th n the "%o#e of th " e""a' to 7 "%$"" n an' *&eat 7e#th the %&$% a+ 7 "t n%t on 6et5een mo$&n n* #+a' an7 t&a*e7' a" t %ome" to the fo&e n Benjam n!" Ursprung des deutschen Trauerspiels- We 5 ++ + m t o$&"e+(e" to the one 7e"%& #t on 5h %h " e""ent a+ to # n#o nt the 7 ffe&en%e 5 th S%hm tt!" nte&#&etat on- Benjam n " #& ma& +' %on%e&ne7 5 th 7ete&m n n* the e/a%t &e+at on"h # 6et5een h "to& %a+ e(ent" an7 7&ama: the"e
AA A3

I, =D?L I, ?D;L I, .=3.The t&an"fo&mat on of h "to& %a+ e(ent" nto m'th th&o$*h the #+ot of a #+a' " an m#o&tant mot f n S%hm tt!" nte&#&etat on of Sha9e"#ea&e!" /amlet 0/amlet oder /e"u0a, #& ma& +' ##- ;= an7 A<4- The 8$e"t on of the "o$&%e of the t&a* % e(ent 0#- .=4 " 7e% " (e n th " matte&- In the %a"e of /amlet, th " " the ta6oo that &e"te7 on the 8$e"t on 5hethe& Ma&' St$a&t, mothe& of Jame" I, 5a" an a%%om#+ %e to the m$&7e& of he& h$"6an7, an7 9ne5 that "he 5o$+7 he&"e+f ma&&' the m$&7e&e& th&ee month" +ate& 0##- .A-==4- A%%o&7 n* to S%hm tt, the a%t$a+ attent on to th " h "to& %a+ ta6oo n the #+a' t"e+f " not j$"t an ) Anspielung! o& a )Spiegelung! of h "to&' 6' theat&e, 6$t an )1in0ruch! of &ea+ + fe nto the #+a' 0##- =<-=?4A< S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, ##- =1, 3A, ;D an7 <2, note 1A? S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, nota6+' ##- 2 an7 .=-

e(ent" a&e )not "o m$%h the "$6je%t matte& a" the a&t "t % e""en%e n the mo$&n n* #+a'!- A1 B$t t " e/a%t+' th " a"#e%t, Benjam n "a'", 5h %h 7 "t n*$ "he" the Ba&o8$e mo$&n n* #+a' f&om an% ent G&ee9 t&a*e7': )Th " " 5he&e t 7 "t n*$ "he" t"e+f f&om t&a*e7', fo& the "$6je%t of the +atte& " not h "to&' 6$t m'th HTI!-A2 In h " /amlet oder /e"u0a, on the othe& han7, S%hm tt ma9e" on+' the f &"t #o nt a 7e% " (e fa%to& n the 7 "t n%t on 6et5een mo$&n n* #+a' an7 t&a*e7'- We %an on+' ta+9 of a Htheat&e o& mo$&n n*I pla3 5hen h "to& %a+ e(ent" %on"t t$te the "$6je%t matte& f&om 5h %h the f&ee+' %&eat n* 5& te& "ha#e" h " #+a'L 5e a&e 7ea+ n* 5 th a t&a*e7', o& n an' %a"e 5 th the t&a* %a+ a"#e%t of the mo$&n n* #+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!3D C j$"t a" &ea+ + fe n(a7e" the +e*a+ o&7e& 0"ee a6o(e4- S%hm tt %han*e" the 7 "t n%t on Benjam n ma7e 6et5een mo$&n n* #+a' an7 t&a*e7' nto a 7 "t n%t on 6et5een 7 ffe&ent fo&m" of t&a*e7'- 3. At th " #o nt, S%hm tt a##ea&" to o##o"e the %on"e8$en%e" of a %on" "tent+' ma nta ne7 %on"t&$%t ( "m, a" t %an 6e fo$n7 n Benjam n- S%hm tt %+a m" that the&e a&e e/%e#t on" to e(e&' &$+e, e/%e#t on" "$%h a" /amlet: )In t me" of &e+ * o$" "%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&at on %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 "$6je%t- The 5& te& of a t&a*e7' ha7 n m n7 a 9 n* n a (e&' &ea+ "en"e, a 9 n* 5ho"e fate an7 %ha&a%te& a&e a #&o7$%t of the 7 ( " on of h " t me-!3= Th " "h ft, o& #e&ha#" e(en &e(e&"a+, of the mean n* of mo$&n n* #+a' an7 t&a*e7' " not "$**e"te7 6' S%hm tt a" a #o nt of %& t % "m, 6$t t " %onne%te7 to h " e/#&e"" %& t % "m of Benjam n!" nte&#&etat on of /amlet- Benjam n!" $"e of S%hm tt!" %on%e#t of "o(e&e *nt' 5a" 7ef n te+' not n the "# & t of t" a$tho&, 5ho 5& te": )It "eem" to me, ho5e(e&, that HBenjam nI "ome5hat $n7e&e"t mate" the 7 ffe&en%e 6et5een the " t$at on on the "+an7 of En*+an7 an7 that on the E$&o#ean %ont nent, an7 th$" a+"o the 7 ffe&en%e 6et5een En*+ "h 7&ama an7 the
A1 A2

)H---I 7aR 7 e *enannten Go&f@++e n %ht "o "eh& Stoff a+" Ke&n 7e& K$n"t m T&a$e&"# e+e " n7-! 0I, =A=4)E" $nte&"%he 7et " %h 7a& n (on 7e& T&a*N7 e- Denn 7e&en Ge*en"tan7 "t n %ht Ge"%h %hte, "on7e&n M'tho", H---I! 0I, =A;43D S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- A<3. S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- 3.3= )In Qe ten 7e& G+a$6en""#a+t$n* (e&+ e&en We+t $n7 We+t*e"%h %hte h&e " %he&en Fo&men $n7 5 &7 e ne men"%h+ %he P&o6+emat 9 " %ht6a&, a$" 7e& 9e ne &e n @"thet "%he Bet&a%ht$n* 7en He+7en e ne" Ra%he-D&ama" :$ "%haffen (e&ma*- D e *e"%h %ht+ %he W &9+ %h9e t "t "t@&9e& a+" je7e U"thet 9, "t@&9e& a$%h a+" 7a" *en a+"te S$6je9t- E n KNn *, 7e& n "e nem S%h %9"a+ $n7 Cha&a9te& 7a" P&o7$9t 7e& Qe&& ""enhe t "e ne" Qe ta+te&" "e+6e& 5a&, "tan7 7em Ge&fa""e& 7e& T&a*N7 e n 7e""en e *ene& E/ "ten: (o& A$*en-! 0S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, ##- ;.-;=4-

6a&o8$e mo$&n n* #+a' n "e(enteenth-%ent$&' Ge&man'- Th " 7 ffe&en%e " a+"o e""ent a+ fo& an nte&#&etat on of /amlet, a" th " #+a' %annot 6e $n7e&"too7 5 th a&t- an7 %$+t$&a+-h "to& %a+ %ate*o& e" "$%h a" Rena ""an%e an7 Ba&o8$e- The 7 ffe&en%e %an 6e %ha&a%te& :e7 mo"t e%onom %a++' an7 a%%$&ate+' 5 th a "+o*an-+ 9e ant the" ", the " *n f %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 ant the" " of 6a&6a& % an7 #o+ t %a+-!3; A moment 6efo&e, S%hm tt ha7 a+&ea7' ma7e "ome %& t %a+ note" to Benjam n!" &ema&9 on the Ch& "t an %ha&a%te& of /amlet-3A He&e S%hm tt " of the o# n on that the ma*e Benjam n * (e" " a++ too $n7 ffe&ent ate7, an7 that he ne*+e%t" the fa%t that the f *$&e of Ham+et $n te" the t&a*e7' of the En*+ "h mona&%h!" *o(e&nment to&n 6' &e+ * o$" "t& fe an7 a++ "o&t" of theo+o* %a+ "$6t+et e"-33 F&om a fa%t$a+ #e&"#e%t (e, 6oth #o nt" "ee9 to %o&&e%t a # %t$&e of the 6a&o8$e mo$&n n* #+a' 5h %h " 7eeme7 to 6e too *ene&a+ : n*- B$t S%hm tt " not the 9 n7 of man me&e+' to nt&o7$%e n$an%e" n an othe&5 "e %o&&e%t 7e"%& #t onIt " not the f &"t t me that S%hm tt 6& n*" the fate of an 1nglish m'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 "$6je%t of a h "to& %a+ nte&#&etat on of ea&+' mo7e&n E$&o#e-3< The h "to&' of En*+an7 a" t *&o5" nto a na(a+ #o5e& to5a&7" the en7 of the " /teenth %ent$&' 0the t me of Ma&' St$a&t, mothe& of Jame" I4, an n7$"t& a+ #o5e& n the e *hteenth %ent$&' an7 f na++' a #o+ t %a+ an7 7eo+o* %a+ 5o&+7 #o5e& n the "$6"e8$ent %ent$&', ha" e(e&'th n* to 7o 5 th the 7e%a' of the h "to& %a+ fo&m 5h %h 5a" %ha&a%te& "t % of the #o+ t %a+ h "to&' of the Cont nent at the t me: the "tate- In th " matte&, S%hm tt 8$ te #e7ant %a++' #$t" Benjam n n h " #+a%e- 3? Th " En*+an7 o(e&*&o5" %ont nenta+ E$&o#e #o+ t %a++', e%onom %a++' a" 5e++ a" 7eo+o* %a++'- When n .2;1 S%hm tt 7&e5 attent on to the "$6(e&" on of the h "to& %a+ fo&m of the "tate a" imperium rationis 6' the + 6e&a+ "t "e#a&at on 6et5een confessio an7 fides, the + ne of h " a&*$ment he&e

3;

)A6e& m & "%he nt, 7aR e& 7 e Ge&"%h e7enhe t 7e& en*+ "%h- n"$+a&en m t 7e& e$&o#@ "%h-9ont nenta+en Ge"amt+a*e $n7 7am t a$%h 7 e Ge&"%h e7enhe t 7e" en*+ "%hen D&ama" *e*enM6e& 7em 6a&o%9en T&a$e&"# e+ 7e" 7e$t"%hen .?- Jah&h$n7e&t :$ *e& n* e n"%h@t:t- D e Ge&"%h e7enhe t "t a$%h fM& e ne De$t$n* 7e" Ham+et 5e"ent+ %h, 5e + 7 e"e& m t 9$n"t-$n7 *e "te"*e"%h %ht+ %hen Kate*o& en 5 e Rena ""an%e $n7 Ba&o%9 m Ke&n n %ht :$ e&fa""en "t- D e Ge&"%h e7enhe t +@Rt " %h am "%hne++"ten $n7 t&effen7"ten m t e ne& "%h+a*5o&ta&t *en Ant the"e 9enn:e %hnen, 7e&en S nnt&@%ht *9e t fM& 7 e Ge "te"*e"%h %hte 7e" Be*& ff" 7e" Po+ t "%hen "'m#tomat "%h "t- E" han7e+t " %h $m 7 e Ant the"e (on Ba&6a& "%h $n7 Po+ t "%h-! 0S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- <A43A I, ;;A-;;333 S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, ##- <=-<A3< er -e.iathan in der Staatslehre des Thomas /o00es: Sinn und 2ehlschlag eines politischen S3m0ols 0KN+n-LN(en %h: Hohenhe m Ge&+a*, .21=43? S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- <3-

" the fa%t that Ham+et *&o5" nto a m'th an7 a "'m6o+ of indecision,31 5h %h Benjam n too fo&e*&o$n7" n h " ana+'" " of the Ge&man mo$&n n* #+a'- 32 An m#o&tant 7 "t n%t on, a &a7 %a+ 7 ffe&en%e e(en, eme&*e" 6et5een Benjam n an7 S%hm tt n the & &e"#e%t (e tho$*ht" on the &e+at on"h # 6et5een h "to&' an7 theat&e- A+tho$*h S%hm tt a%9no5+e7*e" the fa%t that the "e(enteenth %ent$&' #e&%e (e" the 5o&+7 an7 h "to&' t"e+f a" a "ta*e, an7 that the 5o&+7 " the&efo&e not 7 ffe&ent ate7 f&om the theat&e, <D the&e &ema n" to S%hm tt a f$n7amenta+ e/te&na+ t' n the &e+at on"h # 6et5een h "to&' an7 theat&eS%hm tt nee7" th " externalit3, 5h %h a+"o %on"t t$te" a #& ma%' of the 5o&+7 o(e& theat&e, n o&7e& to ma9e a 7 "t n%t on 6et5een t&a*e7' an7 mo$&n n* #+a' C the 7 "t n%t on 6et5een theat&e 5h %h %a&& e" the *&a( t' of &ea+ + fe 5 th n t"e+f an7 theat&e 5h %h "ee" h "to&' me&e+' a" mate& a+ fo& a &omant %-"$6je%t (e a$tho&"h #- The "o$&%e of t&a*e7' " &ea+ h "to&', an7 ne(e& a stor3, a 5o&7 to 5h %h S%hm tt &efe&" 5 th %ontem#t-<. It "eem" to $" that Benjam n " not on+' &e+$%tant to a%%e#t th " e/te&na+ t' of &ea+ h "to&' to theat&e, 6$t, %on(e&"e+', that he nee7" the ma*e of histor3 as theatre n o&7e& to 7 "tan%e h m"e+f f&om the fo&me& C a" 5e 9no5 f&om othe& te/t", he 7oe" "o n the name of an other h "to&' 5h %h &efe&" to the Me"" an % &e7em#t on- It " ha&7+' &ema&9a6+e that Benjam n %on%ent&ate" on the mo$&n n* #+a', 5h %h, a+tho$*h " t$ate7 n the "e(enteenth %ent$&', " a+&ea7' #a&t of the a6"o+$t "t "tate %$+t of the "o(e&e *n 0the me&* n* of "tate an7 theat&e4, 5he&ea" S%hm tt t$&n" to an e/am#+e 5h %h, n h " e'e", ha" 6een a mo&e m#o&tant fa%to& n the 7ete&m nat on of E$&o#ean h "to&' than Ba&o8$e theat&e, an7 n 5h %h &ea+ h "to&' " #&e"ent n the theat&e n the fo&m of an a0sence an7 th$" an e/te&na+ t'Th " " 5he&e S%hm tt " t$ate" the "$#e& o& t' of t&a*e7': the *&a( t' of 5hat " gi.en, an7 %an th$" not 6e n(ente7, "ta*e7 an7 #+a'e7- Th " " the %&$% a+ "enten%e n S%hm tt!" te/t: )The n7 "#$ta6+e &ea+ t' then 6e%ome" the "#ee%h+e"" &o%9 a*a n"t 5h %h the #+a' 6&ea9" an7 the "$&f of &ea+ t&a*e7' "$&*e"-! Th " "enten%e ma9e" the fo++o5 n*, 7e% " (e %on%+$" on #o"" 6+e: )He&e 5e f n7 the +a"t an7 n"$&mo$nta6+e 6a&& e& of f&ee #oet % n(ent on-! <= Benjam n!" an"5e& to th " m *ht ha(e 6een that th " )"#ee%h+e"" &o%9! 5 ++ 6e "hatte&e7 6' the 7 ( ne ( o+en%e, an7 that the 5o&9 of a&t a+&ea7' &efe&" to th " Me"" an % #o"" 6 + t'31

A#a&t f&om the ta6oo that &e"t" on the mothe&!" %om#+ % t' to the m$&7e& of he& h$"6an7, the metamo&#ho" " of the a(en*e& nto a me+an%ho+ % 7o$6te& " the "e%on7 h "to& %a+ fa%t 5h %h 6&ea9" nto the #+a' 0 /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- ==ff432 I, =A2ff<D /amlet oder /e"u0a, ##- A=-A;L "ee a+"o )Ursprung des deutschen Trauerspiel, I, =AA-=A3<. S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, ##- .= an7 A1<= )D e $n$m"tNR+ %he W &9+ %h9e t "t 7e& "t$mme Fe+"en, an 7em 7a" S# e+ " %h 6& %ht $n7 7 e B&an7$n* 7e& e%hten T&a* 9 a$f"%h@$mt- H e& "t 7 e +et:te $n7 $nM6e&"te *6a&e G&en:e f&e e& 7 %hte& "%he& E&f n7$n*-! 0S%hm tt, /amlet oder /e"u0a, #- A?4-

Ina"m$%h a" a theo+o*' %an 6e "$"#e%te7 6eh n7 the"e o##o" n* ( e5", 5e %an %on%+$7e that S%hm tt!" o& entat on " to5a&7" a C&eato&-Go7 5ho #&o( 7e" man 5 th the h "to& %a+ &ea+ t e" on 5h %h the +atte& m$"t 6a"e h " 7e% " on", 5he&ea" Benjam n!" fo%$" " on a Je5 "h*no"t % Re7eeme&-Go7: the 7ea that &ea+ h "to&' 5 ++ 6e en7e7 6' the Me"" ah- The f &"t o& entat on 5 ++ ten7 to "ee e(e&'th n* n the + *ht of ha+t n* the 7e%a' of the * (en 0a "atechontic ( e5 of h "to&'4, the "e%on7 o& entat on %on" 7e&" e(e&'th n* n the + *ht of the 7e"t&$%t on 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 $n6& 7*ea6+e theo+o* %a+ 7 ffe&en%e" an7 the incompati0le ( e5" of h "to&' 5h %h the' enta +, 5h %h 6&o$*ht them n to$%h 5 th ea%h othe& 6$t a+"o "e#a&ate7 them "o %&$e++'- Be%a$"e fo& a fe5 'ea&" at +ea"t, S%hm tt "a5 a 9ate%hont % fo&%e n H t+e&!" &e* me, a &e* me 5h %h 5a" the 7eath of Wa+te& Benjam n0translated from utch 03 %ram ?ertens4