The Two Captains

by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué

Friedrich Heinrich Karl de La Motte, Baron Fouqué (1777-1843), was a German writer of the romantic movement. His first book, Dramatische Spiele von Pellegrin, was published in 1804. His next work, Romanzen vom Tal Ronceval (1805), showed more plainly his allegiance to the romantic leaders, and in the Historie vom edlen Ritter Galmy (1806) he versified a 16th century romance of medieval chivalry. Between 1810 and 1815, Fouqué's popularity was at its height; his works appealed exactly to the mood of the hour. The earliest of these are the best-Undine (1811) which is the only work by which Fouqué's memory still lives today. Among his other famous works Sintram and His Companions (1814), The Two Captains, and Aslauga's Knight.

52 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1812

About the author

Friedrich Heinrich Karl de la Motte, Baron Fouqué was a German writer of the romantic style.

He was born at Brandenburg an der Havel, of a family of French Huguenot origin, as evidenced in his family name. His grandfather, Heinrich August de la Motte Fouqué, had been one of Frederick the Great's generals and his father was a Prussian officer. Although not originally intended for a military career, Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué ultimately gave up his university studies at Halle to join the army, and he took part in the Rhine campaign of 1794. The rest of his life was devoted mainly to literary pursuits. He was introduced to August Wilhelm Schlegel, who deeply influenced him as a poet (mich gelehret Maß und Regel | Meister August Wilhelm Schlegel) and who published Fouqué's first book, Dramatische Spiele von Pellegrin, in 1804.

Fouqué's first marriage was unhappy and soon ended in divorce. His second wife, Caroline Philippine von Briest (1773-1831), enjoyed some reputation as a novelist in her day. After her death Fouqué married a third time. Some consolation for the ebbing tide of popular favour was afforded him by the munificence of Frederick William IV of Prussia, who granted him a pension which allowed him to spend his later years in comfort. He died in Berlin in 1843.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Fouque book I read. He seems to specialize in fast moving, short stories. This has action and is enjoyable to read-if you do not mind the writing style of the early 1800's. In a lot of ways, it seems like a short story predecessor to Lew Wallace's Ben Hur. The relationship? Fouque uses this story as a vehicle to show a changed life through finding out who Jesus is. I was able to read this story in between doing some errands. It made for a nice break, not having to think much while reading it.

For more of my thoughts on this book, see my blog.