Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

German poet, playwright, and novelist

1749 –Goethe was born on August 28 in Frankfurt am Main into a prosperous family

1765 - Goethe was only 16 years old when he went to Leipzig to study law at the university, following his father’s wishes.

Soon he realized he was more interested in literature and writing than law, but he finished his degree in 1771 in Strasbourg (now, France).

1773 - Goethe provided the Sturm und Drang movement with its first major drama, Götz von Berlichingen (a story of a 16th century robber baron, representing Goethe's youthful protest against the established

order and his desire for intellectual freedom)

1774 – He produced the novel, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers (The Sorrows of Young Werther), which brought him worldwide fame (a story of a young man driven to suicide

by an unhappy love affair)

1775 - Duke Karl August became Goethe’s patron and invited him to Weimar. Here,

he spent most of his adult life, helping establish Weimar as a literary and intellectual centre.

1782 – He was ennobled (adding the von to his name)

Italy

1786 - Goethe made his first trip to Italy, which was very influential to his future work and his philosophical view of the world. Here he met Christiane Vulpius, the woman

who would become his mistress, and many years later (in 1806) his wife.

Together, they had one son, Julius August Walter von Goethe.

Schiller

From 1794 Friedrich Schiller became his most important and influential friend, and together they helped begin the Weimar Classicism movement.

Faust

The writing of his chief masterpiece, the drama Faust

(Part One, 1808; Part Two, 1832), extended over practically the

whole of Goethe's literary life, a period of 57 years.

Faust focuses on the search for the meaning of existence and of

the soul. In the story, Faust is condemned to remain unsatisfied by life after selling his soul to the

devil (Mephistopheles)

In addition to writing, Goethe painted, worked on anatomy and botany, created a theory of colors, and directed a theater for 26 years.

Goethe died on March 22, 1832 in Weimar

Abendlied

A Poem by Goethe

Abend = evening Lied = song

Abendlied can define the type of song – typically melodic, dealing with themes of nature, leading into the night

Other famous “Abendlieder”: “Wiegenlied” – Brahms (a.k.a. Brahms’ Lullaby)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIbabTQiDDs&feature=related

“Der Mond ist aufgegangen” - Claudius

Abendlied von Goethe has also been known as Wandrers Nachtlied II

Simple translation:Über allen Gipfeln Over all the hilltopsIst Ruh, is calm.In allen Wipfeln In all the treetopsSpürest duyou feelKaum einen Hauch; hardly a breath of air.Die Vögelein schweigen in Walde. The little birds fall silent in the woods.Warte nur, balde Just wait... soonRuhest du auch. you'll be at rest too.

Gefunden

A Poem by Goethe

Ich ging im WaldeI was walking in the woods

So für mich hin,Just on a whim of mine,

Und nichts zu suchen,And seeking nothing,Das war mein Sinn.

That was my intention.   Im Schatten sah ich

In the shade I sawEin Blümchen stehn,A little flower standingWie Sterne leuchtendLike stars glitteringWie Äuglein schön.

Like beautiful little eyes.   Ich wollt es brechen,I wanted to pick itDa sagt' es fein:

When it said delicately:Soll ich zum Welken,Should I just wilt toGebrochen sein?

Be picked?   Ich grubs mit allen

I dug it out with allDen Würzeln aus,

Its little roots.Zum Garten trug ichsTo the garden I carried itAm hübschen Haus.

By the lovely house.   Und pflanzt es wiederAnd replanted itAm stillen Ort;

In this quiet spot;Nun zweigt es immerNow it keeps branching outUnd blüht so fort.

And blossoms ever forth.