Kenilworth
Historischer Roman
📘 About This Book
Walter Scott: Kenilworth. Historischer Roman »Kenilworth. A Romance«. Erstdruck: Edinburgh, Archibald Constable and Co., 1821. Erstdruck dieser Übersetzung: Berlin, A. Weichert, 1905, übersetzt von Walter Heichen unter dem Pseudonym Erich Walter. Neuausgabe. Herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth. Berlin 2019. Umschlaggestaltung von Thomas Schultz-Overhage. Gesetzt aus der Minion Pro, 11 pt.
📖 Summary
Set during the Elizabethan era, Walter Scott's "Kenilworth" is a sweeping historical romance that blends political intrigue with personal tragedy. The narrative centers on Amy Robsart, the beautiful daughter of a country gentleman, who has secretly married Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester—a charismatic and ambitious favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. To maintain his standing and favor with the monarch, Leicester conceals his marriage, leaving Amy secluded and isolated in the remote Cumnor Place under the care of the villainous Anthony Foster and his ambitious son-in-law, Richard Varney. Varney constantly plots to advance Leicester's career at Amy's expense, hoping to secure power for himself. Meanwhile, Amy's father and her devoted childhood admirer, Edmund Tressilian, search desperately for her, believing she has been abducted and dishonored. Tressilian eventually brings the matter to Queen Elizabeth, setting off a chain of events that leads to a grand royal pageant at Kenilworth Castle. As the plot thickens, jealousy, ambition, and deception collide. The Queen herself develops a deep affection for Leicester, dangling the prospect of royal marriage before him and compounding his reluctance to reveal the truth. Amy manages to escape to Kenilworth to claim her rightful place as his wife, but Varney's malicious fabrications convince the jealous and unstable Leicester that Amy has been unfaithful with Tressilian. Driven by panic and deceit, Leicester is led to tragic miscalculations. Ultimately, the novel culminates in a heartbreaking conclusion where Amy's life is tragically cut short by Varney's conspiracy just as the truth threatens to come to light. Scott brilliantly captures the glittering pageantry of the Tudor court juxtaposed against the dark machinations of private ambition, offering a poignant exploration of how the pursuit of power corrupts personal integrity and destroys innocent lives.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"Good counsel is not to be despised, even though it comes from a madman."
"What is the great world, but a place where suspicion passes for knowledge, and a smile is often the cloak of malice?"
"Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals."
"Virtue is its own reward, and sometimes a heavy one; but it is the only one that lasts beyond the grave."
"Men's vows are women's traitors."
"Fortune is like the market, where many times if you can stay a little, the price will fall."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Vivid, immersive historical setting of Elizabethan England and royal pageantry
Complex, multi-layered characters like the conflicted Earl of Leicester and the cunning Richard Varney
Masterful blend of political tension, romance, and gripping tragedy
⚠️ Cons
Pacing can feel slow due to extensive historical exposition and period dialogue
Some modern readers may find the 19th-century writing style dense and challenging
❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, especially for fans of historical fiction and classic literature, as it offers a rich portrayal of the Elizabethan era combined with a compelling tragic plot.
How long does it take to read? +
Depending on your reading speed, it typically takes between 10 to 15 hours to read this complete novel.
What is the main message? +
The main message is that the unbridled pursuit of power and ambition often leads to the destruction of personal integrity and innocent lives.
