Gotthold Ephraim Lessings ‘Minna von Barnhelm’ im Kulturraum Schule (1830-1914)

Since the beginning of the 19th century, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing has been one of those authors who are firmly anchored in cultural memory. However, this was only possible because there were instances that took over the preservation and the maintenance of the texts. In the case of Lessing, the school in particular played an outstanding role in the enthronement of the poet in the canon and therefore in cultural memory. Lessing only became a canon author through individual perception, appreciation and appropriation, especially in high school. So far, the role of the Humanistic High School in the canonization of G. E. Lessing has only been recorded occasionally. After the volume with scientific contributions to Nathan the Wise it is now a matter of editing contributions to Lessing’s Minna von Barnhelm . Once again, the focus is on a form of publication that has so far not been sufficiently taken into account in literary studies - the school program. The essays provide insights into the reception of Lessing’s piece between 1846 and 1903. It also enables conclusions to be drawn about the relationship between high school and university.