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5. Apocalyptic symbolism in the works of Heinrich Von Kleist

Apocalyptic symbolism in the works of Heinrich Von Kleist

Finogenov Victor Anatolievich

junior researcher, Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, Moscow, p_jh@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1167-9376

Abstract

The article explores eschatological motifs in the works of Heinrich von Kleist, contextualizing them within Immanuel Kant’s perspectives on the problem of the world’s end. Analyzing the writer’s dramas and short stories from this standpoint allows for an examination of the constitutive role of the biblical archetext in several of his works. Kleist’s vision of the apocalypse symbolizes the spiritual catastrophe that has overtaken humanity, manifesting in the material world through depictions of plague, fire, or earthquakes. A particularly significant motif in Kleist’s writings is the image of the city, which is closely linked to the biblical narratives of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the figure of the Whore of Babylon.

Keywords

Heinrich von Kleist; apocalypse; eschatology; Immanuel Kant; Bible; Sodom and Gomorrah; Whore of Babylon; Antichrist.

For citing: Finogenov V.A. (2025) Apocalyptic symbolism in the works of Heinrich Von Kleist. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Moscow. INION RAN. Vol. 3 (63). pp. 148-165. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2025.03.09

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