I. Citizen of Weimar.- Grillparzer and the humanistic tradition — the heritage of enlightened Josephinism — Kant’s influence in Austria — the classical tradition and the poet’s views on philosophy, politics and art..- II. Grillparzer and the Nineteenth Century.- The impact of the romantic school — individualism and the emphasis of the emotions — the classical experience and the rise of materialism — the problem of free will — Grillparzer’s agreement and conflict with his day..- III. The Contact with Schopenhauer.- The scientific and the contemplative approach to the world — similarity in aesthetic principles — the imitation of nature and the function of art — rejection of history and the idea of progress — the problem of justice and the state..- IV. Inspiration —’ sammlung’ and ‘Begeisterung’.- Critical estimates of the inspiration theme — analysis of the inspiration motif in the works of Grillparzer with the exception of ‘Libussa’..- The Diaries.- The Prose Writings.- The Poems.- Letters and Documents.- Youthful Attempts. Dramatic Plans and Fragments.- The Dramas.- Grillparzer’s Conversations.- The Rationalistic and Intuitive Components of Inspiration.- Grillparzer’s affinity with the English romanticists: Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley, Keats, De Quincey — the inspiration motif and the poet’s relationship to the eighteenth and the nineteenth century..- V. ‘Libussa’ — the Last Phase of Inspiration.- The vital fifth act — short history of the criticism of the drama — the purported influence of Hegel and Kant — the collectivist view — political ideas in the play — ‘Libussa’ interpreted in the light of Grillpar-zer’s inspiration concept — inspiration and Grillpar-zer’s legacy on human destiny..->Conclusion.