ESPACIO POLÍTICO Y MORFOLOGÍA DE LA LITERATURA EUROPEA. APROXIMACIÓN A LA TÓPICA HISTÓRICA DE ERNST ROBERT CURTIUS

Abstract

In this paper same philosophical questions which are implicit in E.R. Curtius’s historical-literary investigations are examined. Particular attention is given to the ‘topos’ and historical topics concepts and also to the ideas of Individual, Form, Culture and Nation. Therefore we will consider Curtius’s methodological and polemical texts, not only in relation to literature, but also specially politics, sociology and culture. In order to place his work amongst the intellectuals discussion of his time, we will look at the most important influences on Curtius’s work, such as Jung, Bergson, Toynbee and Hofmannstahl, as well as his conflictive relationship with Carl Schmitt or Mannheim. Moreover, we show the relevance of his works in some contemporaries attempts to redefine literature and even philosophy.