Questions About Aesthetics: Lectures on Fine Art, Vol 1: Introduction & Parts 1-2

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Why would "we be deceived" as Hegel says if we try to trace irony in "Romeo and Juliet"?

Sara Davil "if we hope to find here the best opportunity of showing what the irony is in such a work as, e.g., Romeo and Juliet, we are deceived. We hear no more…more"if we hope to find here the best opportunity of showing what the irony is in such a work as, e.g., Romeo and Juliet, we are deceived. We hear no more about irony. "
When trying to define art and its concept, and tracing its historical meaning/philosophies, Hegel explains irony as a product of Fichtean philosophy. Which explores the fact that people's ego is the absolute creator and destroyer of all things. This leads to a view where all reality is a "show" and nothing has inherent value. Applying this to Romeo and Juliet would mean dismissing the tragedy as a mere construct, devoid of genuine emotion or meaning.
Irony, in Hegel's view, undermines the importance of truth, morality, and genuine human emotion. It would lead one to view Romeo and Juliet's love as a mere "show," a performance lacking sincerity. The tragic consequences of their love would be seen as arbitrary, rather than a result of genuine human flaws and societal constraints.
Irony, as practiced by the Romantics, prioritized the "artist" and their subjective experience over the objective value of the artwork. Analyzing Romeo and Juliet through this lens would shift the focus away from the play's profound exploration of love, fate, and societal conflict, and instead emphasize the author's supposed detachment and ironic detachment.
In essence, Hegel believed that a truly meaningful engagement with art requires recognizing the inherent value and significance of the subject matter. Viewing Romeo and Juliet through the lens of irony would, in his opinion, diminish the play's power and obscure its profound human message.(less)

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